Professional printers will use an ink-jet printer to transfer an image onto a metal sheet when creating a sign. However, this process can be expensive. Print your own metal sign at home by using screen-printing techniques and a few basic pieces of equipment, such as a silk screen printing frame, ink and a squeegee. This is done by creating a stencil, which will be used to transfer your design onto the metal surface. Choose a design with a simple outline if you are a beginner to stencil making as you will have to cut around your design. To print on metal, use gloss enamel printing ink; it is designed to adhere to difficult surfaces such as metal.
Instructions
1. Decide on the image you want to print on the metal. Your sign could be a slogan, name or image, or a combination of the three. Remember that the purpose of a sign is to be understood, so whether you choose an image, name or logo, design something legible.
2. Draw your chosen design on an A4 size piece of acetate. Scale the design so it fills up as much of the sheet as desired. Cover your work surface with thick cardboard to protect it. Cut out the parts of the design that you want to print. This cutout acetate sheet is the stencil.
3. Place the metal on your work surface. Place the stencil in the chosen location on your metal. Put the screen down on top. Line up the edges of the screen and the stencil so they are parallel. Use masking tape to cover any areas on the underside of the screen that are not covered by the acetate stencil.
4. Squeeze gloss enamel ink along the top of the screen. Pull the ink down the screen with a squeegee held at a 45-degree angle. This will produce the best "pass" or print. Lift the screen off the metal from left to right.
5. Leave the printed metal sign to dry.
