Patent Application
20140154431
Digital images and improved printer technology allow use of printing substrates other than photographic paper. For example, it is known to use an ink-jet printer to print images on a sheet of aluminum. It is also known to precoat the metallic sheet with certain commercially available products in order to promote adhesion of ink to the metal substrate. It is further known to apply acrylic- and/or urethane-based coatings to seal, protect and finish the aluminum sheet after the ink is applied. The image that results from digitally printing on a treated metal substrate has unique attractive qualities, which may include heightened luminosity. This attractive feature may be especially desirable for artwork.
However, current methods of printing an image on metal pose at least two problems to artists. First, although a few companies print on metal sheets using digital images supplied by others, the cost is high. More problematic, current metal-printing techniques limit artistic treatment of the metal sheet. Skilled artists currently operate under the well-accepted assumption that a uniform metal surface is desirable for best printing results. This limitation constrains artistic treatment of the underlying substrate thereby limiting resulting final appearance. Regardless of whether one out-sources the printing or the artist does it herself, current metal-printing techniques do not include selectively treating or stylizing regions of the metal prior to printing. Existing methods thus essentially confine the artist-photographer to printing an image on the homogeneous, unaltered, unstylized and untreated metal surfaces that are commercially available.
What is needed is a metal-printing method that allows artist-photographers to stylize and treat a metal sheet prior to printing a digital image, thereby enabling the artist to introduce textures and surface features in the metal.
Disclosed is a method for creating an artistic image involving printing a digital image on the front surface of a metallic sheet. The method includes the steps of preparing a preparatory image having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions desired for the printed image, selecting one or more regions of the front surface for stylization, placing the preparatory image on the front surface of the metallic sheet, stylizing the selected regions according to a technique such as physical abrasion, chemical reaction, or heat, and then digitally printing the digital image upon the regionally stylized front surface of the metallic sheet to produce the artistic image. The invention also includes articles produced by this method.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:
Before describing the invented method, it is useful to review
A method of preparing an artpiece embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the figures. Metallic sheet 30 may be initially treated using corrosive and/or oxidizing chemicals 52 such as acid, vinegar, dish washing detergent, calcium chloride, sodium chloride. Metallic sheet 30 may also be treated at this stage with heat 54, such as open flame, kerosene, or liquid nitrogen. Metallic sheet 30 may be regionally masked at this step using common masking tape such as sold by 3M, so that initial treatment is confined to unmasked regions.
For a next step, and ordinarily after any initial treatment with chemicals or heat, metallic sheet 30 may be cleaned before further stylization is performed. However, it is not strictly necessary to clean metallic sheet 30 at this step if further stylization will occur. Metallic sheet 30 may be cleaned using commercially available compounds including degreasers. Although soaps, detergents or acetone may be used as cleaning agents, more preferable is a grease remover such as Professional Strength Goof Off, followed by a natural multi-purpose cleaner such as “Citrasolv,” and then finally 70% or greater percentage isopropyl alcohol.
Before proceeding to stylize the front surface of metallic sheet 30, a preparatory image is prepared to aid the artist in i) selecting areas to be stylized and ii) applying the chosen stylization technique to the selected areas. The preparatory image may be prepared in various ways. In a first embodiment, the preparatory image is a projected light image placed on a front surface of metallic sheet 30 using a digital light projector 20 to project digital image 10 upon metallic sheet 30, as shown in
The artist may choose to stylize regions with the aid of masking materials, or may proceed directly to stylize the selected regions without masking. Using the flower depicted in the Figures, for example, the artist may select a region generally underneath the flower to stylize with physical abrasion, such as steel wool. In that example, the area of physical abrasion could be diffuse and not sharply defined.
Returning to the description of the first embodiment, it is contemplated that most artists will desire to more sharply define regions for stylization using a masking material 40. Using the preparatory image placed on metallic sheet 30 resulting from the projected digital image shown in
In a second embodiment, the preparatory image may be a mask comprising masking material 40. Returning to
In a third embodiment, the preparatory image may be prepared by printing digital image 10 directly on masking material 40, such as transparent adhesive film. The imprint of digital image 10 has boundaries 12 that are substantially coequal with metallic sheet dimensions 32 and preferably correspond to the size and orientation of a desired final artistic image. The artist prepares the preparatory image by consulting the imprinted digital image 10 as it appears on masking material 40, selecting one or more regions to stylize, and excising those selected regions from the masking material. As in the second embodiment, in this third embodiment the mask that results from excision of the selected regions of masking material 40 is the preparatory image. As in the previous embodiment, the preparatory image is then securely placed on the front surface of metallic sheet 30 as shown in
The artist may repeat any number of times the steps of preparing a preparatory image, selecting regions to stylize, placing the preparatory image on the metallic sheet 30, and stylizing the selected regions. Additionally, the order of the claimed method steps concerning i) preparing the preparatory image, ii) selecting one or more regions to stylize, and iii) placing the preparatory image on the metallic sheet may be reordered or performed simultaneously. As described above in the first embodiment, the step of preparing the preparatory image and placing the preparatory image on the metallic sheet may occur simultaneously when light projector 20 projects digital image 10 upon metallic sheet 30. As described in the second and third embodiments, the preparatory image is completed after selecting one or more regions to stylize and excising masking material from the selected regions. The claims encompass performance of these three steps in any order, as well as performance of any or all of the steps concurrently.
After all stylization is completed, the front surface of metallic sheet 30 is thoroughly cleaned before being inserted into a digital printer and imprinted with digital image 10. The cleaning step should remove all or substantially all metal filings, metal dust, chemical residue, oils, and any other extrinsic material. This may be done by using the same sequence of cleaning materials previously described, such as first applying a grease remover such as Professional Strength Goof-Off, followed by Citrasolv, then followed by 70% or greater percentage Isopropyl Alcohol. After the front surface of metallic sheet 30 is cleaned, it is preferable that handlers protect it from any contamination such as dirts or oils, for example by wearing clean latex or cotton gloves to prevent fingerprints.
The cleaned metallic sheet 30 is then placed on its back surface on a substantially flat and level surface to facilitate application of an ink adhesion promotion precoat to its front surface, such as Inkaid Clear Gloss Type II precoat, available from Ontario Specialty Coatings, 22564 Fisher Road, Watertown, N.Y. 13601. This precoat may be applied to the front surface 35 of metallic sheet 30 with a brush, or more preferably by drawing a straight, stiff tool such as a bar or rod across the stylized metal to uniformly cover front surface 35 of metallic sheet 30 with the precoat. Applying light downward pressure on the bar while drawing it across front surface 35 may facilitate penetration of the precoat into the abraded and roughened textures of stylized regions 38. Preferably the placement surface is substantially flat and substantially level. Care must be taken to avoid nonuniform application, overapplication, and or underapplication of the precoat.
The step of applying the precoat may be repeated if it appears that the first application did not provide sufficient coverage. However, multiple applications may promote unwanted puddling of excess precoat, and applying multiple coats of the ink adhesion promotion agent can produce an orange peel effect which may be undesirable.
In one embodiment, metallic sheet 30 is placed on an integral base, such as a large piece of flat plexiglass. However, care must be taken to separate metallic sheet 30 from the plexiglass after the precoat dries. When placed on an integral base, a straight edge utility knife may be used to cut the excess dried precoat away from the precoat adhering to the front surface of metallic base 30. This process can be difficult, necessitating laborious touch-up work to apply more precoat where it may pull away from the metallic sheet.
In another embodiment, metallic sheet 30 is placed back side down on a flat level surface comprising a plurality of plexiglass base portions having uniform thickness of about ½ inch to one inch. Referring to
After the precoat is applied but before it has dried, the three plexiglass side base portions are carefully removed from beneath metallic sheet 30, leaving metallic sheet resting on central base portion 60 with all its edges and nearby back surfaces exposed to air. Removal of the side base portions 62 facilitate drain off of the precoat to minimize precoat puddling on the front surface of metallic sheet 30 and minimize accumulation of excess precoat underneath the back surface of metallic sheet 30.
Following application of the precoat, the precoat is dried. Drying time typically will be 24 hours more or less depending on conditions. Drying time can sometimes be hastened by the use of one or more fans. After the precoat material has dried, the eighth step is to detach the metal from the Plexiglas. Any dried precoat on the back of metallic sheet 30 may be wiped clean with cotton cloth or paper towels. Front surface 35 and front surface edges of metallic sheet 30 are preferably protected from contact with foreign material.
Digital image 10 may now be imprinted on metallic sheet 30 using a digital printer. Preferably an ink jet printer is used, such as the Epson Stylistpro 9900 printer which has a 44-inch print width capacity and is widely available. A custom print profile for metal sheets may be created to optimize printer settings. Such ICC profiles are available through Booksmart Studio, 250 North Goodman Street, Rochester, N.Y. 14607. Printers vary, as do substrate qualities; therefore a custom profile may be desirable to achieve optimum color and depth.
Prior to printing digital image 10, matboard strips 70 and 72 are secured to at least three edges of metallic sheet 30 as shown in
The matboard strips facilitate accurate guidance of metallic sheet 30 during the printing step, which may last many minutes. Top matboard strip 70 is inserted first into the printer. Metallic sheet 30 can be fed into the printer by hand using one or preferably two people if the sheet is large or heavy. Various guides such as C-clamps may be attached to the printer's feed system and/or output section to assist with proper placement and alignment of metallic sheet 30 during printing. Rollers or a roller-table may also be used to support the sheet during loading into the printer. Despite such guides and tables, it may still be preferable to manipulate the loading and printing of the stylized metal by hand in order to achieve and maintain desired margins. Rollers, roller-tables and discharge guides may also be used as the sheet discharges from the printer, or the sheet may be supported by hand.
As discussed earlier, a horizontal orientation of granular direction 34 has a significant positive impact on the final displayed artpiece when combined with the printing and stylization and treatment methods described herein and when the finished artpiece is illuminated by a directed light source or plurality of light sources directed at the displayed artpiece from above. The light source(s) may be comprised of a single color (such as broad spectrum white) or multiple colors (such as one or more multi-color LEDs). The finished piece has inherent reflectivity, which a glossy clear coat can accentuate. When a light source is directed at the displayed artpiece from above, reflected light beams tend to travel along the same direction as granular direction 34. When granular direction 34 is horizontal in the displayed regionally stylized artpiece, an observer perceives most of the light source beams being cast horizontally off the front surface 35; horizontally casted light source beams may enhance desired luminosity and desired 3-D effect for an observer. In contrast, when an above-mounted light source is directed at a regionally stylized artpiece having a vertical granular direction 34, an observer perceives light source beams cast up and down, resulting in undesirable vertical light source bands, lines, and/or “hot spots” of reflected lighting and potentially interfering with the desired 3-D effect.
After the digital image 10 is imprinted on the regionally stylized metallic sheet 30, a post-coat may be applied to the metallic sheet to preserve and protect the ink. One product that may be used is a car finish urethane, SelectClear 2K 498-00 Multi-Panel & Overall Clearcoat. This may be mixed with 483-78 Mid Temp Activator in accordance with directions listed on the SelectClear 2K can. Preferably two coats are applied, with approximately 3-5 minutes drying time between coats, and may include a glossy clear coat. The clear coat may be applied in any number of known techniques, but is preferably applied using an air gun sprayer. The post-coated regionally stylized metallic sheet 30 is then cured. Curing time is preferably 12-24 hours at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the post coat has dried, the artpiece may be finished using techniques such as wet-sanding, buffing with rubbing compound, and polishing according to practices well known in the art.
An inner back frame may be fabricated if a traditional outer front frame is not being used and when not using built in custom lighting. Referring to
As shown in
Applicants' invention is a unique and entirely original method of printing onto metal. The invention allows an artist to produce a printed image that exhibits exceptional luminosity, that uniquely accentuates aspects of a digital image, and that promotes greater interactivity between the artpiece and the observer as he views the artpiece from various viewing angles. The interaction between light, the observer, and the artpiece produced by the disclosed method mimics three-dimensional qualities which can be further amplified with custom lighting. The final artpiece when properly finished may be displayed in environments where other image substrates may not be appropriate, such as near water, out of doors, or in areas exposed to ultraviolet light.
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61732805 | Dec 2012 | US |
