[Lab] printing on aluminium

[Michael Ayukawa]

Bruce,
I'm not sure if this has already been shown to you but there are inks that essentially set when exposed to the laser like we have in the lab.
One such product is Thermark. 
http://www.thermark.com/content/view/35/78
You essentially spray paint it onto the substrate and expose.

Something I would try.  Different colours as well.
A more durable product is mentioned as well: Cermark
http://www.thermark.com/content/view/36/78/

Of course you will be limited in size to the bed of the laser machine.
There are some bigger machines in Ottawa that have friendly owners.
/Mike

On 2012-06-21, at 12:44 AM, Bruce wrote:

> Thanks for all the replies.  To be specific, I'm not looking for etching.  I'm 
> looking to print a photo on aluminium with dimension of gallery size prints.  
> 
> 
> Again thanks to all for taking the time to reply.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Bruce Harding
> Information Broker
> Member: IEEE, SPIE, IACR
> 
> On June 20, 2012 04:19:57 PM Jason Cobill wrote:
> 
> 
>   Here's a link to an acid etching process.
>   http://www.nontoxicprint.com/etchzincsteelaluminum.htm
> 
>   Note that their process is somewhat toxic - but less toxic than the 
> standard acid bath etching.
> 
>   -Jason Cobill
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 4:17 PM, Paul & Andrea Mumby <themumbys at gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> You can mark annodized aluminum quite easily using a laser cutter/engraver 
> (such as the one at modlab). Resulting in a nice permanent and durable image.
> 
> 
> See http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Etching-Anodized-Aluminum/ for one 
> example (using an epilog laser same as modlab). 
> 
> 
> - Paul
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 4:11 PM, Bruce <lists at faintfuzzies.ca> wrote:
> 
> Bruce Harding
> Information Broker
> Member: IEEE, SPIE, IACRHello,
> 
> I'm doing research into printing (photos) on aluminium.  I'm looking at a
> number of questions.
> 
> - Ink types.
> - longevity.
> - methods and materials.
> - processes if more than one.
> -Also interested in what is being used as a varnish or sealer.
> 
> My understanding of aluminium is that it corrodes easily so how do that effect
> the final product?
> 
> 
> If you have any information on this I'd really like to hear from you.
> 
> 
> PS. I've talked to a few printers that do this, they are understandably or
> not, quite closed mouthed about the above questions.
> 
> --
> 
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