About Printing Surfaces

I have a variety of photographs in my spaces. Some are printed on metal, some on sophisticated papers. While still others are on canvas or Xposer®. I love them all. Each method has its own unique character and visual quality. Use your personal preferences to choose the options that best enhances your home or business spaces. When making choices consider where the art will hang and in what lighting conditions. (See About Displaying) Look for styles you like in other homes and businesses.

Let’s start with Substrates, the material a photograph is printed on. The choice of surface plays a key role in bringing out the unique nature and beauty of any fine art photograph. There are numerous substrates to select from, including popular materials like metal, paper, wood, canvas, and specialized surfaces like those with an Xposer® print. Each has its own personality, presenting its unique character to the observer.

Metal

Metal prints offer a uniquely modern look while enhancing the image and displaying it in stunning high quality, brilliance, and shine. There is an extra punch with metal that helps colors jump out, and black and white tones shimmer. They are smooth and reflective and can make a photograph pop. They are durable and archival, ensuring your artwork lasts.

During the printing process, the ink is infused into the surface of the metal instead of being laid down on top. This printing process is called dye sublimation. This process gets applied to a sheet of aluminum, and then heat-sealed to create a durable finish. In the dye-sublimation process, the ink turns into a gas, then back into a solid. Before it returns to its solid state, the ink gets pushed into the aluminum, infusing the dye in the metal.

You don’t have to worry about water damage while cleaning it. You also don’t need to use a frame, but you can. When you choose to print on metal, a variety of mounting options are available to suit any style.

Many of the photographs hanging in my own home are metal.

Metal prints are often the best balance between cost, durability and presence in most spaces.

Papers

The paper choices offered here represent the finest papers available for reproducing art work. Each paper has its own unique set of qualities.

For information about each paper Click Here.

Xpozer®

Xpozer® is a unique frameless system for printing and displaying photographs. It is also economical, particularly for larger prints. Images are printed on a heavy, flexible plastic sheet that is stretched flat on a cleverly designed hidden frame. The prints are lightweight and remarkably easy to hang. The print can be swapped out for a different Xchange® Print (print only) and reusing the same invisible frame. For example, you can change out a print seasonally, different occasions, or moods. With no-frame look, Xpozer® prints float away from the wall for a modern gallery look.

The surface of an Xpozer® print is a Radiant Satin, giving an image a vivid, look with deeper blacks and a slight matte appearance. They are printed with a 12-color ink palette.

I personally find Xpozer® prints offer a slight touch of softness to a photograph.