Custom Metal Art - Metal Artwork to Remember

Custom metal art is slowly becoming to be a popular trend in metal artwork today. If you are planning on customizing your metal art signs, it is highly advised that you take time to familiarize yourself with a few important considerations. Below are substrate options which you can choose from. A substrate is a material on which the base material will be printed onto.

White and natural satin aluminum is the first type of substrate which we will talk about. Artists can stock and print using points .024, .032 and .040 on both natural and white aluminum. In this process, the aluminum is coated with a clear satin polyester coating which is compatible with screen-printing standard thermo-inks. Usually artists would buy aluminum in 36" or 48" coil widths. They would sheet this down to 144" in length. If the application requires more rigidity or strength, aluminum in .080 or .063 is used. For custom metal art, aluminum remains to be the most ideal substrate especially for outdoor usage.

Another substrate to consider for custom metal art is the natural clear brushed aluminum. This substrate is commonly used for indoor applications. The material is very attractive and is very popular among counter display signs, tacker signs and hanging plaques. If you want to add more visual impact to your project, a combination of embossing and transparent lumalite inks may also be considered.

You may also custom metal art through the usage of white coated steel. This substrate is commonly used for nostalgic reproduction signs, hanging signs or memorabilia. While it is true that the steel may not be as stable or as durable outdoors as compared to aluminum, steel remains a very dependable alternative and very economical at the same time. Steel is also highly recommendable for magnetic signs like production schedules and menu boards.

Other substrates commonly used are the magnetic vinyl, pressure-sensitive vinyl, hardboard and corrugated plastic, among others. Some would opt to custom metal art on magnetic vinyl. This type of substrate is perfect for vehicles. They can easily be removed or applied. They can also stay affixed to cars even when in motion. The pressure-sensitive vinyl comes in several thicknesses and with different liner and adhesive properties. The hardboard is another material used as a substrate. It is a rigid material commonly used with pegboard signs. Artists would cut the hardboard to a specific size before they coat it white to suit air dry inks. Lastly, the corrugated plastic is one of the most economical substrates. In most cases, it is screen-printed with UV curable inks, which makes them best for short-term advertising.

Make sure that you choose the right substrate for the project or signs that you intend to do whenever you custom metal art. This will keep your finances in the right budget.

Metal Artwork
Examples of Custom Metal Art and other Metal Artwork Types