Inkjet on to Metal

 The date is wrong - Not sure when this was originally written 

This page records my notes on the topic of using a low cost consumer injet printer to print onto aluminum.

THE OBJECTIVE
To use a low cost / consumer injet printer to print onto aluminum.
Result needs to be waterproof & reasonably durable.
Able to be wiped clean with a wet cloth.
Does not need to be super resiliant.
It will be used indoors.

QUESTIONS for myself
1. Q. Can one put metal straight into a Consumer printer?
     A. Yes.  See notes [1]
2. Q. What ink

3. Q. Do we need anything on the surface?

NOTES
[1]
http://www.inkjetmetal.com/pages/PDF-Handouts.html
So how do we load the metal?
First of all, you MUST make sure that your printer allows you to print with a straight printing path. A few printers from HP & Canon do NOT allow for this option. The full Epson line allows for straight path printing. If you are unsure if your printer allows for straight path printing you can check in your manual or e-mail info@booksmartstudio.com. The straight printing path prevents the metal from bending up and hitting your print head causing damage. We have fed this material through every machine with a straight pathway with NOT a single head being damaged. For the Epson's large-format printers such as they 7xxx & 9xxx series you load the metal, as if it were sheet material.

[2] INK TYPES
www.polyphoto.com/tutorials/bulkinksystem/InkjetFAQ.html
Pigment Inks - Waterproof.

 Dye Ink - Not waterproof.


Canon, HP, Lexmark,
BUBBLEJET - The head boils the ink to spurt it onto the paper.
Mostly dye (not waterproof) ink but I think some pigmented (waterproof )inks available.


Epson
Piezo head technology.
I suspect this is the way to go for water proof ink.


USEFUL LINKS
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb/etch/directinkjetresist.htm


LASER PRINTER
Laser Print onto "Pulsar" paper.
Use a laminator to heat press the tonor off the transfer paper onto the aluminum.
use an iron to put in more heat & pressure.