Photos printed on metal maintain a metallic glisten.
The appeal for printing photos on metal is that photos will have a subtle luminescence not fount in regular print photos. However, printing photos on metal cannot be done with a normal household printer. Dyes must be precisely infused into aluminum to achieve this effect, and a finish is added to preserve the image. While photos printed on metallic cardstock can be accomplished at print shops such as Office Max or FedEx, if you're looking for the professional, metallic sheen of dyed aluminum, it is easy and relatively inexpensive to buy prints online.
Instructions
Purchasing Metal Prints from Bay Photo
1. Visit Bay Photo's web page (see "References"). Bay Photo allows you to order your photos printed on metal for an affordable price. On the website, hover over the tab "BAY ROES" and click "Bay ROES." Select "Bay ROES Professional Light". This will bring you to the photo lab, where you can select the types of prints you want and purchase them. When your browser asks permission to download from Bay Photo, select yes, and the program will load in a new window.
2. Enter your name and address in the "Customer Information" tab. This will allow the prints to be mailed to you. Select "OK" when you are finished.
3. Select the "Folder..." button on the bottom right of the Bay ROES screen. This will allow you to upload the picture you would like to print.
4. On the right side of the page, select the drop-down menu the says "Standard Prints." You can select "Metal Prints" on this menu. Then select the size and size options in the menu. When you have chosen the preferred size and add-on options such as frame, finish and color, select the "+ Add to Order" button.
Purchasing Metal Prints from Gallery Direct
5. Visit Gallery Direct's web page (see "References"). Gallery Direct allows you to order your photos printed on metal for an affordable price. On the website, select the "Print Your Photo" tab.
6. Select "Browse" in the right-hand panel to upload your photo. A display of your computer folders will pop up, and you will navigate to where the photo is saved on you computer, select it, and click "Open." Select the certification box, and then click "Show me my Photo!"
7. Click "Aluminum" once your photo has uploaded. This will ensure your photo to be printed on metal. You can manipulate the size on this page by clicking "Click for custom sizing" in the "Choose a size" tab. Click "Add to Cart" to purchase your print.
Purchasing Metal Prints from Full Color
8. Visit Full Color's web page (see "References"). Full Color allows you to order your photos printed on metal for an affordable price. On the website, select the "Create an Account" button. You will need an account to order prints. "On the Create a New Account" page, type in your address, name, email, and phone number. Proceed to fill out the sections: Shipping Preferences, Account Preferences, Customer Overview, Payment Info and Agreement. Click "Continue."
9. Download Full Color's ROES program in order to upload and order your prints.
10. Select the "Folder..." button on the bottom right of the ROES screen. This will allow you to upload the picture you would like to print.
11. On the right side of the page, select the drop-down menu the says "Standard Prints." You can select "Metal Prints" on this menu. Then select the size and size options in the menu. When you have chosen the preferred size and add-on options such as frame, finish and color, select the "+ Add to Order" button.
