By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Aluminum panels are a popular choice for print service providers (PSPs) seeking a unique and sleek alternative to traditional printing materials. Digitally printed metal prints are used both indoors and outdoors and provide UV and water resistance.
Printing to Aluminum
In 1996, Blazing Editions started as a fine art print maker in East Greenwich, RI with three employees. It has grown to offer fine art printmaking on aluminum, canvas, and paper and operates as a full-service art and framing company.
With 15 employees in a 15,000 square foot facility, Blazing Editions offers complete solutions for artists, galleries, and museums. The shop also represents artists and wholesales to designers and galleries around North America.
Blazing Editions started printing to aluminum panels in 2012. “We were looking for a new rigid substrate to image into without using glass or acrylic,” says Josef Blazar, VP, Blazing Editions.
The shop now prints a wide gamut of imagery onto aluminum in six finishes—clear gloss, clear matte, clear semi-gloss, white gloss, white matte, and white semi-gloss. A variety of customers request this signage including art galleries, artists, designers, and museums.
In 2019, 65 percent of its output was digitally printed aluminum panels. For this process Blazing Editions uses the Epson SureColor F-Series 64-inch dye-sublimation (dye-sub) press and Epson ink. The images are printed on transfer paper and then heat pressed onto metal. With this process, the shop produces full aluminum sheets measuring 48×96 inches.
“We prefer Epson as we have worked with the company for over 20 years in printmaking. We know and trust its products,” offers Blazar.
By using digital printing technology for aluminum panel applications, Blazing Editions offers clients scratch resistant graphics with 90 percent recycled aluminum. “We have clients put dye-sub in environments where you could not put paper prints,” adds Blazar. There is also no additional UV protectant required like when using glass or acrylic.
Finishing for printed aluminum panels includes a CNC router to cut the aluminum to exact specifications. The shop also uses a double mitre frame saw to cut moldings for mounting and framing capabilities as well as a digital scan back system to digitally capture original artwork.
Aluminum Panel Art
In October 2019, NYC Dance Project at Lanoue Gallery approached Blazing Editions for a fine art printing project. NYC Dance Project is a collaboration between two photographers to create portraits of the ballet and modern dance community.
“The client was releasing their new fine art limited edition work on aluminum panel to coincide with their new book,” shares Blazar.
Blazing Edition printed the artwork on the Epson SureColor F-Series. ChromaLuxe dye-sub aluminum was used for the final graphics and outfitted in aluminum and steel welded frames.
It took Blazing Editions three weeks to complete the job including proofing and production time. The shop created 22 40×52-inch pieces. The aluminum featured a white semi-gloss finish and installation was completed with a cleating system. Blazing Editions completed the project on time with no challenges. The client was pleased with the final result.
Robust & Creative
Aluminum panels are a robust rigid substrate for dye-sub applications. With its Epson SureColor F-Series printer and ChromaLuxe, Blazing Editions perfects digitally printed aluminum panels for a variety of customers such as artists, photographers, and museums.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Quality Color.
Feb2020, Digital Output
