C. FAQ – Application
II. Metal
Q.What kind of metal is best to print on using inkAID?
A.Aluminum is generally the best for most printers because it’s lightweight and comes in a variety of thicknesses and finishes. A good thickness for most printers is .024 gauge, but using metal of this thickness requires that a printer has a straight through path. Aluminum can be bought from Home Depot or Lowes with a “mill” finish, meaning it came straight from the mill and hasn’t been treated, coated, or even cleaned. This requires the most work to clean, but is by far the least expensive. Aluminum can also be bought in a variety of more refined finishes, requiring less cleaning but are more costly. It’s generally a good idea to buy aluminum (or any other metal you’re using) with the most raw finish available to ensure you’re not going to encounter any coatings or treatments that won’t hold the inkAID products. If you’re interested in purchasing aluminum that has been precoated, Booksmart Studios in Rochester, NY, offer precoated aluminum in a variety of thicknesses and colors/finishes. Please visit their website, www.booksmartstudio.com for more information. Copper and tin are also popular metals to print with using the inkAID products.
Q. What is the best way to thoroughly clean metal to ensure a uniform coating of inkAID?
A. We recommend the following steps to safely remove all surface dirt and oils that may prevent inkAID™ from adhering smoothly to the metal:
- Wash the surface of the metal with warm water and while still wet, sprinkle some dishwasher powder (like Cascade) over the surface.
- Scrub the surface and powder with a Mr. Clean magic eraser or other non-abrasive cloth.
- Rinse the surface of the metal well with warm water and dry it.
- Finally, wipe the surface with isopropyl rubbing alcohol with a non-abrasive cloth and let the metal air dry.
Once the metal is completely dry, you’re ready to coat. If you see any areas where the coating “crawls away” from the surface, you haven’t cleaned thoroughly enough. Stop and rewash the metal.
Q. Which inkAID product should I use to coat metal?
A. inkAID™ Clear Gloss Type II precoat was formulated especially for this use. It contains a small amount of adhesive that is usually enough to adhere the coating without an additional adhesive. Because the coating is clear, the surface of the metal will be visible underneath the coating, which is generally desirable. If you’d rather have a white surface, inkAID White Matte precoat can be used as well. Either way, use a foam brush to apply a layer of the coating, brushing in one direction. Let the coating dry completely and coat again, brushing in the other direction this time. You can also use a stainless steel coating rod or HLVP sprayer to coat the metal. inkAID Iridescent precoats are popular with metals, but to use these coatings you’ll need to put down a layer or two of inkAID Adhesive first. Please remember that these are only guidelines and you should always test your methods before committing to them.
Q. I tried printing on my coated metal – the ink layer doesn’t seem even and the surface sheen seems mottled. What happened?
A. If you haven’t a complete job cleaning the metal, the inkAID™ won’t coat evenly. Make sure you’ve cleaned the metal as thoroughly as possible and try recoating. Also, if the inkAID™ hasn’t been applied evenly, it will affect the surface sheen.
Q. When I print, it seems like the ink is puddling or curdling on the surface of the inkAID. What should I do?
A. Always make sure that you’re using a 1440 x 720 or higher resolution when printing onto any inkAID™ product. Using a higher resolution puts the ink down slower and keeps it dryer, preventing the ink from puddling or curdling on the surface of your print.
Q. What is a good postcoat to use to preserve the metallic finish of my piece?
A. A good choice is Krylon Crystal Clear Satin. It allows the color to glow like natural metal. Matte sprays tend to deaden or dull the color and gloss sprays will be shiny and reflective. The most natural look will come from 2 light coats of a satin spray.
