Alumajet Sample Arrived

[Dee Gallo]

Hi All,

I just got my sample pack from Horizons Inc. ISG (Imaging Systems Group)... I wanted to see what the inkjet printable aluminum was like. I also got Alumamark and DuraBlack. Unfortunately, the samples are very small, only 2" x 3" ave. so there is not a lot to experiment with. Worse, the Alumajet sample comes already printed and laminated so there is no way to test it on my own printer (the whole point of asking for samples...)

The sample looks nice, although it is a bit blurry. I don't know if it is the printing, the small focus range or the lamination that caused that.

As if by fate, I also lost an ebay auction for a Seal Jr. which is a small (8.5" x 11") laminating press which sold for only $45... I forgot to check back on the auction. Oh well. I will not be buying any of the Alumamark at $63 for 10 (8.5" x 11") sheets without knowing more about it.

I hope someone else will post some results some time. This seems like an interesting and useful substrate.

~ dee

[Dee Gallo]

Thanks for your concern, Sam. But I'm a "try it and see for myself" kind of person, so that's why the samples were ordered. I was not looking for any info in particular, just checking out a new-to-me substrate. It's all well and good to see samples made by the company, but I like to see what I can create myself.

cheers, dee

[Chuck Stone]

Dee.. if your printer can handle passing metal sheets, you can try using digital ground.
Spray (or brush) on a coat and run that through your printer. You need to have a printer
that has no 'pizza wheels' because they'll mark your print, but the digital ground accepts the
inkjet coating. Makes for some interesting pieces. I did a photo of the George Washington
Bridge after I blew out the highlights in Photoshop.. anything white (no ink) comes out
as brushed aluminum.. and the other colors take on the metallic reflections.
I forget if the stuff I got was Liquitex or Golden . .but it was one of those two.
I'm a "try it and see for myself" type too.. only I try it before I actually have a use for it!

[Bill Stein]

Dee,

I don't know what a Seal Jr. is. But have you looked at Harbor Freight? They have a laminator that sells for $25 (even cheaper if you have a 20% off coupon). Here is the link http://www.harborfreight.com/9-inch-hot-laminator-92499.html

I have used it for years and been happy but I only use it to laminate thick card stock for signs, etc. My wife uses it for bookmarks and other items. It laminates the plastic to the card stock so that you can trim without having to leave a "frame" around the card stock where the front and back laminates are stuck to each other.

Bill

[Martin Boekers]

Dee, years ago I played with Alumark (it may be better now) it was very difficult to get a conssitant mark.
Focus, power & speed are very critical. I finally gave up and switched to dye sub and CLTT. I have been interesedt in
the ink jet stuff so let us know how it works.

I am using Papilo Laminating sheets (Cold Lam) for parking permits. I bought a few hundred blanks, and am printing
on vinyl (Epson WF1100) then laminating, trim and apply to the blanks. I get involved in these jobs somehow. :)
They wanted full color and consecutive numbers. A bit time intensive but a great profit margine!

Have to check on the Seal Jr, if it is a cold laminating roller press there is a lot you can do with it. You can get double sided
optical adhesive and print to mylar or photo paper then mount to the back of acrylic.

Have fun playing! :)

[Dee Gallo]

Dee,

I don't know what a Seal Jr. is. But have you looked at Harbor Freight? They have a laminator that sells for $25 (even cheaper if you have a 20% off coupon). Here is the link http://www.harborfreight.com/9-inch-hot-laminator-92499.html

I have used it for years and been happy but I only use it to laminate thick card stock for signs, etc. My wife uses it for bookmarks and other items. It laminates the plastic to the card stock so that you can trim without having to leave a "frame" around the card stock where the front and back laminates are stuck to each other.

Bill

Thanks Bill, but that's a plain laminator - I have one of those and it would probably work. What a Seal Dry Mounting press does is hot photo mounting, T-shirt transfers, as well as laminating. I also use it for flattening watercolor paintings, steam drying veneer, hot fabric glue like Stitch-Witchery, and things like that. The Seal Jr. is just a small one which would have been handy because the big Seal units are just that... BIG. And they can take thick substrates.

cheers, dee

[Mike Null]

Dee

I am not familiar with this type press/laminator. Would a heat press work just as well?

[Rodne Gold]

Heat press will only (maybe) work with encapsulation/heat activated type products , wont work with cold lams. A cold lam applicator is more useful than a hot one in terms of lasering.

[Martin Boekers]

Heat press will only (maybe) work with encapsulation/heat activated type products , wont work with cold lams. A cold lam applicator is more useful than a hot one in terms of lasering.

I'm not sure this would work for encapsulation as it may not get hot enough or even enough. These were really
designed for mounting photographs and use a special mounting paper that works at lower temperatures for
archivialibilty. I agree with you Rodne cold roller laminators have much more use for many things we do. I'm surprized
that the manufacturers don't have a version they market to our markets. Much of the "Crystal and Acrylic fusion" that
is available could be done quickly and probably cheaper.That being
said I do have a handful of specialty tools that are best for a particular purpose. :)

At $45 Dee I don't think you could lose on it, you may find a creative use for a piece as this. May be A Pannini Press
or to make grilled cheeze! :) I keep hoping for such an adapter for my Geo Knight Press!

[Dee Gallo]

Dee

I am not familiar with this type press/laminator. Would a heat press work just as well?

Yes, Mike - SEAL is just a brand name heat press.