Guide on How to Make Metal Sublimation Photo Prints

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

6:00 AM

Guide on How to Make Metal Sublimation Photo Prints

Hey there fellow Vault Dwellers--dig up your favorite video game screenshot and turn it into home decor or wall art!

Let me show you how to turn your favorite Fallout 76 moments into unique home decor aluminum photo panels.

Using sublimation metal sheets, a screenshot from the Mothman Museum in Fallout 76, a sublimation printer and a heat press we'll bring the post-apocalyptic vibes right into your space!

What are metal prints?

In the world of art and science, new technology is constantly emerging to bring our favorite digital landscapes to life on popular materials.

One such captivating innovation is the dye-sublimation prints, a unique way to showcase digital artwork with outstanding image clarity.

(You'll see metal prints everywhere you go, especially in the healthcare industry and commercial interiors!)

In this blog post, we'll "marsupial serum jump" right into the fascinating realm of sublimation metal prints, highlighting the iconic Mothman Museum from Fallout 76 as our digital muse.

Sublimation metal prints involve a process where digital images are infused onto specially coated metal panels by vaporizing the ink into gas producing a vibrant image.

The prints have vivid color and the rendering of exact details is amazing!

I love the professional photo printing that I can do right from home--even as a beginner!

What are metal prints? In the world of art and science, new technology is constantly emerging to bring our favorite digital landscapes to life on popular materials.

Supplies Needed for Metal Sublimation Prints:

4x6 Aluminum Panel Sublimation Blanks (Heat Transfer Warehouse)
Sublimation Printer (Epson Eco-Tank filled with Sublimation ink)
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank
Sublimation Paper
Heat Resistant Tape
Heat Resistant Tape Dispenser (optional but super nice)
Cricut EasyPress
Cricut EasyPress Mat

Step 1: Choose Your Favorite Photos

Select the Mothman Museum screenshot that captures the essence of your Fallout 76 adventures--or any other photograph you want to turn into a metal piece of art.

The perfect choice is high-quality images with vivid colors and intriguing details to make your sublimation metal print pop!

Using photo-editing software, resize and adjust the Mothman Museum screenshot to fit the dimensions of your sublimation metal printing sheet.

Aim for a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) to ensure sharpness in your final photographic prints.

Print the image on sublimation paper with the image in reverse.

Step 1: Choose Your Favorite Photos Select the Mothman Museum screenshot that captures the essence of your Fallout 76 adventures--or any other photograph you want to turn into a metal piece of art.

Step 2: Prep Your Aluminum Sheets

Begin by peeling the special coating off the front and back of the sublimatable photo panels.

There is a protective cover on both surfaces of the sheets of metal, keeping them in pristine condition for printing--don't forget to remove this as the first order of business.

The metal sheets have a polyester coating that allows it to receive the ink through the sublimation heat transfer.

Trim your image transfer sheet down to the edges with scissors.

Step 2: Prep Your Aluminum Sheets Begin by peeling the special coating off the front and back of the sublimatable photo panels. There is a protective cover on both surfaces of the sheets of metal, keeping them in pristine condition for printing--don't forget to remove this as the first order of business. The metal sheets have a polyester coating that allows it to receive the ink through the sublimation heat transfer. Trim your image transfer sheet down to the edges with scissors.

Step 3: Secure with Heat-Resistant Tape

Carefully place your printed metal sheet on a clean, flat surface.

Flat surfaces ensure that the print transfers evenly.

Wipe lint and debris from the surface of the metal with a microfiber cloth.

Use heat-resistant tape to secure the edges of the image to the metal sheet.

This ensures that the image stays in place during the sublimation process.

Then cover with a sheet of transfer paper or parchment paper.

Step 3: Secure with Heat-Resistant Tape Carefully place your printed metal sheet on a clean, flat surface. Flat surfaces ensure that the print transfers evenly. Wipe lint and debris from the surface of the metal with a microfiber cloth. Use heat-resistant tape to secure the edges of the image to the metal sheet.

Step 4: Ready the Heat Press

Preheat your heat press machine to the perfect temperature for sublimation metal printing.

Sublimation pressing needs extreme heat, so use a heat press that can heat up to 400* F.

That high temperature ensures a high quality print.

Set the timer for one minute.

Step 4: Ready the Heat Press Preheat your heat press machine to the perfect temperature for sublimation metal printing. Sublimation pressing needs extreme heat, so use a heat press that can heat up to 400* F.

Step 6: Sublimation Magic

Now for the metal substrate transfer process!

Place the Cricut EasyPress on the parchment or teflon and let the sublimation process work its magic for one minute--not a long time at all!

Step 7: Cool and Reveal

After sublimation, carefully open the heat press and allow the sheet of aluminum to cool, seriously, let that metal cool down completely.

Once it's safe to touch, gently peel off the heat-resistant tape to reveal your transformed Mothman Museum sublimation metal print.

All that high-definition detailing without the high cost of a gift shop!

Step 7: Cool and Reveal After sublimation, carefully open the heat press and allow the sheet of aluminum to cool, seriously, let that metal cool down completely.

Step 8: Display

Yay!

You've just created a unique piece of Fallout 76 art.

Find the perfect spot to showcase your Mothman Museum sublimation metal print, and let the post-apocalyptic vibes shine in your space.

The exterior coating of the metal receives the ink, with a shiny gloss finish and very vibrant color for the perfect high-definition detailing of the final product.

The surface of the print can be easily cleaned with household cleaner and a cloth.

The metal surface is light weight and scratch resistant.

Step 8: Display Yay! You've just created a unique piece of Fallout 76 art. Find the perfect spot to showcase your Mothman Museum sublimation metal print, and let the post-apocalyptic vibes shine in your space.

There you have it – a simple and fun way to turn your virtual adventures into tangible art with sublimation metal prints.

If you are a professional photographer, this is the ideal choice for turning photos into aluminum prints without the extra cost of a print lab!

The metal surface of the print gives it superior durability.

Dye sublimation prints on high-performance photo panels is great for image reproduction, custom art and video game screenshots, capturing even the smallest details.

The white areas will remain surface color, as the dye sublimation process contains no white ink.

The color integrity is best on a white surface, but using a different color blank give unique looks--just don't use a black blank for sublimation printing transfers.