Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
Ok, i have a question.. I know that the mugs you subliminate on have to have a special coating on them in order for them to absorb the ink properly, but is that true for ALL types of media?
See, i am REALLY in need of some customized keychains,a nd i found some plastic ones, but i dont have the materials to print on plastic, but i also found some that were made out of aluminim and it would be PERFECT for me to put my logo on.. The thing is, they arent "dye sub blanks" they are just retail ready keychains.. Do i NEED to coat them with anything?
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
any dye sub item MUST have a polymer coating be it mug, alum., tile etc...it does not matter. There are those that say you can coat yourself. I have tried...and it looks just like it is...a substandard item with an amateur coating..so I stay away from that...
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
Grrr.. I'm just having a hard time finding what i need in a price i can afford.. I guess i was expecting too much for too little.. DIY always is cheaper, sometimes
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
Yep, the aluminum that conde' has is coated and they print very nicely and I like the look. Just remember that it isn't a white background so you will lose a lot of your colors.
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
hi lind try subing onto anodized alum it looks great background is some what white,u need to coat it first,but when u do make sure u get no lines in the coating or it will show,polished stainless is good too.
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
are you saying that you coat the alumn for sublimination BEFORE you anodize it? also anodizing can be in any color, so i'm not sure what you are saying about it being white.
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
My issue is that i will not have an image to print on them, i neeed an actual photo HOLDER so that when i give them away, the people who get them will be able to put their own pictures in. Like a mini photo frame. They are promotional items.. but it seems that they might be out of our budget this year, so we will just do with what we have
Re: Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating?
hi the standard silver anodized u can buy in sheets u need to coat it but when u print it then heat it the look is good do not lose much colour, i sub lots of travle mugs they are stainless steel,
wont show white of corse,they look good.
This is a discussion about Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating? that was posted in the Dye Sublimation section of the forums.
Does Aluminum or metal need to be processed before subliminating? 
