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Allure Fine Art Metal

for Aqueous Inks

Print Directly onto Metal w/ Your Epson

  • * Use pigmented inks for increased longevity and overall perceived value
  • * Same thickness (.045") and overall look as dye sub aluminum prints
  • * Better detail / sharper resolution when compared to dye sub aluminum prints
  • * SGIA 2016 Product of the Year Winner
  • * Use Timeless Matte varnish (optional) to protect Allure prints
  • * Use Quartz film laminate (optional) to protect and achieve different finishes (i.e.: matte, satin, gloss)
  • * Use a DRS roller to clean the prints before lamination
  • * Buy ready-to-hang frames here and start selling in no time!
  • * Allure Starter Kit: all you need to get started - only $139.99! (10sh of 11"x14", 1 quart of Timeless Matte) - Add to Cart
  • * Patent pending

PLEASE NOTE: We are currently testing an improved version of Allure. We have made some modifications (lighter weight, improved full-bleed carrier) with the goal of making Allure easier to use and more reliable from print to print to result in a higher rate of success. We hope to make this new version available by Q4 2019.

Why should I use Allure for my metal prints?

Allure direct-print metal is the ideal solution for extremely high-quality metal prints. Traditionally the dye sublimation process has been used to attain a sellable metal print. There are a number of notable benefits that you gain by being able to print directly to metal:

  • Use the highest quality OEM pigmented inks, instead of dye inks traditionally used in the sublimation process. This will greatly improve print permanence and lightfastness.
  • Highest quality inkjet coating developed by Breathing Color. Get the fantastic print quality, dmax, color density, and resolution you've come to expect from other Breathing Color products.
  • Use a single product for gloss, satin, and matte metal prints. You will customize your finish using the laminate film, so you can reduce your inventory costs and free up storage space.
  • No need for a special printer. Use the same aqueous inkjet printers you are already using for canvas and paper printing.
  • No heat press. Large heat presses can cost you $10,000-$20,000+, not to mention the training required on top.
  • Skipping the dye sublimation transfer process and printing direct to the metal allows for a higher resolution end product. Think fine art and photo paper prints.

Description

Allure is a revolutionary new product from Breathing Color that allows you to print directly to the metal using your existing Epson printer and OEM inks.

Been wanting to get into metal printing, but haven't made the big investment in dye sublimation equipment? What if I told you that you could be selling metal prints without investing in all of the expensive equipment associated with getting started?

Or, if you are already offering metal prints, what if you could eliminate the waste typically associated with the dye sub process?

CA PROPOSITION 65

 WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Ethylbenzene which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

DISCLAIMER

Allure Photo Panels for Aqueous printing is a new, breakthrough technology. Therefore, while we would love to guarantee that it will work perfectly with every aqueous printer, we simply cannot. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that the specific printer you use (including those on our compatible printer list) will be able to handle the sheets during loading. We also cannot guarantee that your print heads, sheet-feeding mechanisms on your printer, or any other aspect of the printer will not get damaged as a result of using this product. Therefore, you will be using this product at your own risk. We will not reimburse for any printer issues or damages whatsoever caused by this product - even if you are using a printer on our compatible printer list. What we can tell you is that this product is typically within the specs for media thickness as specified by the printer manufacturer. Additionally, we have printed thousands of images on Epson printers internally and have not experienced any printer damage whatsoever. While we don't expect any printer damage to occur, we simply cannot guarantee that some form of printer damage may happen, and we cannot be held liable for any damages. Again, if you choose to purchase and use this product, you will be doing so at your own risk.

We recommend first purchasing a sample kit in order to test your specific printer and ramp up from there.

COMPATIBLE INKJET PRINTERS

EPSON

Stylus Photo Series: R2000, R2400, R2880, R3000

Stylus Pro Series: 3800, 3880, 3890, 4800, 4880, 7500, 7600, 7700, 7800, 7880, 7890, 7900, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, 9880, 9890, 9900, 10000, 10600, 11880

SureColor:  P400, P600, P800, P6000, P7000, P8000, P9000, P10000, P20000

DISCLAIMER

Allure Photo Panels for Aqueous printing is a new, breakthrough technology. Therefore, while we would love to guarantee that it will work perfectly with every aqueous printer, we simply cannot. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that the specific printer you use (including those on our compatible printer list) will be able to handle the sheets during loading. We also cannot guarantee that your print heads, sheet-feeding mechanisms on your printer, or any other aspect of the printer will not get damaged as a result of using this product. Therefore, you will be using this product at your own risk. We will not reimburse for any printer issues or damages whatsoever caused by this product - even if you are using a printer on our compatible printer list. What we can tell you is that this product is typically within the specs for media thickness as specified by the printer manufacturer. Additionally, we have printed thousands of images on Epson printers internally and have not experienced any printer damage whatsoever. While we do not expect any printer damage to occur, we simply cannot guarantee that some form of printer damage may happen, and we cannot be held liable for any damages. Again, if you choose to purchase and use this product, you will be doing so at your own risk. 

We recommend first purchasing a sample kit in order to test your specific printer and then increase from there.

How should I store Allure metal sheets?

Keep sheets of Allure packaged in the way they arrived to you, inside the box or crate, and closed. Store them flat and not on their edge in order to avoid warping or bowing.

Will Allure Fine Art Metal work with my printer model?

For a full list of compatible printers, check the "Details" tab on this product page.

How do I cut metal panels?

We sell both Allure Fine Art (aqueous) and Allure Dye Sublimation metal panels in pre-cut sizes. If you are looking to save money per sq.ft., or to achieve custom-sized cuts on a regular basis, you can also trim the metal down yourself.

To do this, it is very common to use a metal shear, which is designed to cut thin aluminum. These come in a wide variety in terms of width, manual or hydraulic operation, foot or hand-driven, various features, etc. 

Many customers will opt for a shear that is at least 50"-wide, which will accommodate half-size (4ft x 4ft) sheets. A manually operated shear at this width will cost you approximately $1,500 and will go up as you add sizes and features.

Another option is to use a CNC router. This is common for the higher-volume labs and studios. These come in just as large of an array of sizes and options. Prices will start at approximately $20,000 and go up from there.

How do I protect Allure Aqueous Fine Art Metal prints

Top coating Allure after printing is definitely not a requirement. It has a certain durability and can be handled very similarly to an un-coated canvas or fine art paper print.

For those who want to add this protective post-print layer, the current options we have found to work well are:

  • Breathing Color's Timeless Matte
  • Krylon Matte Finish 1311
  • Krylon ColorMaster Acrylic Crystal Clear Satin
  • ArtResin high epoxy resin clear coat

This video shows resident expert Carnie Littlefield applying Timeless Matte to Allure AQ.

This post on our blog goes into more detail on this subject.

We continue to test new products as well as sharing finding from our wonderful, creative customers. Let us know if you're successfully using something not listed here!

I found a small imperfection on the surface of the blank metal. What is this and is it normal?

Small surface imperfections are normal to a certain extent, due to the nature of the base metal. We do our best to cover these up during the coating process, but it is not always possible, and there is an allowable number of specks allowed per sheet, depending on the sheet size. We can better control pre-cut sheets, cutting around any imperfections as we go, so full and half-size sheets will likely have the most surface imperfections (this is one reason why the price per foot is lower). 

Often, these small imperfections will not significantly affect the final print. Many customers who offer metal prints send along a small card that educates their customers on what to expect when purchasing prints on metal.

How should I handle Breathing Color media? What about storage?

To prevent the transfer of oils and dirt from your hands to the inkjet receptive coating of the media, white cotton gloves should be worn when handling the media. When not using the media, you should store it in its original packaging, exactly how it was shipped to you. Read more about our recommended handling and storage best practices on our blog, The Art of Printmaking.

Matte Black vs. Photo Black

Matte Black (MK) ink is designed for Matte Papers and Photo Black (PK) ink is designed for glossy papers. The difference between these two black ink types is simple; MK prints a very dull, flat black, while PK prints a highly glossy, shiny black. Think in terms of flat black spray paint vs. glossy black spray paint. Generally speaking, the very best results and the deepest blacks for that particular substrate will be achieved by using PK with glossy substrates and MK with matte substrates. Your Epson printer manual will also provide you with a decent explanation of when they recommend using matte black ink or photo black ink. 

That being said, wide-format Epson printers present a problem for those who wish to maximize their output potential by offering both matte and glossy papers as available substrate options. This is because Epson machines are built to run either the PK or the MK, rather than allowing the printmaker to switch blacks from print to print. As a result of this quandary, those who own wide-format Epson printers must make an important decision What type of prints do I want to be best at? In other words, if 80% of your printmaking business is fine art on matte papers and matte canvases, naturally you will want to run your Epson with MK, which will render the highest black density on your primary substrate line. Likewise, if you are a photo lab for example and mostly reproduce photography on glossy papers, the PK is the more intelligent choice as it will render the glossiest black, which is most desirable on glossy substrates (to avoid a gloss differential). 

Traditionally, most all inkjet printable substrates, matte or glossy, will work with the PK ink. Though the maximum black density (DMAX) would be significantly less, the print is otherwise unaffected. This is not true of the MK ink. When most glossy or semi-glossy papers are introduced to the MK ink, the ink will run and bleed, rendering the print completely unusable. 



  Retail Qty
Allure Starter Kit - 11"x14, Matte (10sh of 11"x14", 1 quart of Timeless Matte) $13999 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 4"x6", 10 pc (2pc per sh) $2249
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 5"x7", 10 pc (2pc per sh) $3249 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 8"x10", 5 sh $2795 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 8"x12", 5 sh $3335 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 10"x10", 5 sh $3495 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 11"x14", 5 sh $5345 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 12"x12", 5 sh $4995 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 12"x18", 5 sh $7500 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 16"x20", 5 sh $11110 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 16"x24", 5 sh $13335 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 20"x30", 5 sh $20835 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 24"x36", 5 sh $29995 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 4ft x 4ft, ea $8750 Out
Allure, for Aqueous - White Matte, 4ft x 8ft, ea $17500 Out
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