How to Print on Metal

[tjb]

I have a project in which I'd like to print a company's logo onto metal - something relatively small, along the lines of a desk ornament that might include a digital clock, pen/pencil set, etc. I know a grand total of zero about such an operation, but I found something called 'dye-sublimation' onto aluminum. Anybody have any experience with this process? Is that something that is commercially available for a small project? It's not essential that the material be aluminum, so I'd be curious about other options anyone may suggest.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[DavidR8]

A diode laser will mark stainless steel quite well.

 

[GrifterGuru]

"dye-sublimation" at least with ceramics is a process of printing a reversed image on specialist paper, using specialised ink. Once printed, the paper is placed over/wrapped around the object (if a cylinder) it is to be transferred to and then heated for a specific, short, time using a specific heat press.

I used to make (and still do occasionally) dye sublimated Mugs. They are supplied with a specific coating to take the dye.

There were and still are suppliers that offer certain types of blank metal plates with the appropriate coating to take the dye.

A relatively simple process, easy to get into for under £200GBP, or, it used to be.

 

[tjb]

A diode laser will mark stainless steel quite well.

Thanks, David.

Can that process reproduce a multi-color logo? The logo I'd like to reproduce is essentially four colors: black, gray, orange-ish, on a light gray background.

Regards

 

[DavidR8]

Here’s an example of laser marked stainless steel.
Quick and dirty trial with my new 30W diode laser. Lousy focus on the photo.

This is another option.
Powder coated aluminum with all but the letters lasered off. Again, a quick and dirty test.

 

[RJSakowski]

Clough42 did a video on marking metal with a diode laser.

 

[GeneT45]

In addition to laser, chemical etching works and can look very nice if you have access to a stencil cutter (e.g. "Crikut"). A third method is screen printing.

GsT

 

[OCJohn]

Tangent from the OP, but kinda fits with the search title... What sort of marker do sharpening service shops use on saw blades and tool steel? I removed some surface rust from the tool below and was impressed to see it remained after heavy scrubbing with scotchbrite and brasso. Acetone didn't touch it either. Whatever it is, I want one.

 

[homebrewed]

If you want something robust, you may want to think about subbing it out to a silk screening operation. Thermoset epoxy ink would wear well. More colors = more cost because each color requires its own mask and an additional print/bake step.

If you want to do it in-house, I found a 4-color silk-screening kit on ebay selling for $302. It includes an ink dryer, but maybe a toaster oven would work depending on the size of objects you want to print on. Or maybe a heat gun?

For multi-color printing you need a printing setup that provides good registration. And epoxy ink probably has a limited shelf life at room temp so some kind of refrigeration would save on ink cost. A cheap mini-fridge would be fine for that.

The exposure source to make the screens will be nearly as expensive as the printing hardware, but for experimentation purposes you could use sunlight. Exposure masks can be made with ink jet or laser printers with the right transparency material. An alternative would be to find someone who can make the screens for you. Your local t-shirt printing store might be able/willing to do that.

 

[GrifterGuru]

In addition to laser, chemical etching works and can look very nice if you have access to a stencil cutter (e.g. "Crikut"). A third method is screen printing.

GsT

Alternate to CriCut is a Silhouette Portrait or Silhouette Cameo (larger of the two). I have both and use both. Very handy tools.