What is a Metal Print? Complete Guide

A metal print is a photograph reproduced on a coated aluminum panel using dye-sublimation, a process that infuses the image into the aluminum surface rather than printing it on top. The result is a sharp, vibrant, frameless wall-art piece with a scratch-resistant and water-resistant finish. This guide explains the metal print medium, the verified Giftenova options, when a metal print is the right fit, and the basics of mounting and care.

What is a metal print?

A metal print is a photograph fused into a coated aluminum panel using a dye-sublimation process. The image becomes part of the coating layer rather than sitting on top of it. The aluminum panel acts as the finished piece, with a clean frameless edge and no separate frame required.

"Dye-infused aluminum" describes both the substrate and the process. The substrate is a sheet of aluminum with a specialized coating that accepts dye. The process is dye-sublimation: heat and pressure turn the inks into gas and the gas infuses into the coating. Once cooled, the image is locked inside the coating layer.

At Giftenova, a custom metal print is made-to-order from your uploaded photo, available in three sizes, with floating-mount hardware included.

How is a metal print made?

A metal print is produced through a heat-and-pressure transfer. In a typical dye-sublimation workflow, the image is transferred from a printed carrier sheet onto the coated aluminum panel under high heat. During the press, the dye inks vaporize and infuse directly into the aluminum coating. The result is a durable, cleanable surface where the image is inside the coating rather than on top.

This is why a metal print wipes clean readily and tolerates humid-room placement. There is no separate surface ink layer in the same way as direct surface printing. The image is part of the coating.

What sizes does Giftenova carry?

Giftenova carries three sizes for a custom metal print, from a small accent piece to a large statement-wall scale.

• 8 by 10 inches. Compact accent piece for desks, bookshelves, or small wall vignettes.
• 16 by 20 inches. Mid-sized statement piece for bedrooms, hallways, or paired groupings.
• 24 by 36 inches. Large feature piece for living-room and feature-wall installations.

For the cross-medium sizing decision matrix (room-by-room targets, above-sofa rules, the 50-75 percent wall-width guideline, and inch-to-centimeter conversions), see our wall art sizing guide by room and wall.

How does customization work?

The customization flow at Giftenova is short and the same across our photo-print mediums.

• Upload your photo. JPG or PNG, high-resolution preferred. The print is made directly from the photo you upload, so higher-resolution sources hold detail better at the 24 by 36 inch size.
• Pick a size. One of the three sizes: 8 by 10, 16 by 20, or 24 by 36 inches.
• Add notes (optional). Use the notes field for crop preferences, color guidance, or any context about the photo.

After checkout the order moves into production immediately. There is no separate proof or approval step. Production takes 2 to 5 business days; standard shipping adds 3 to 7 business days in the United States.

When a metal print is the right fit

A metal print is a strong fit for modern, minimal, or industrial rooms. It's also a polished pick for Father's Day gifting when dad's taste leans clean and contemporary; see our personalized Father's Day wall art gift guide for ideas by relationship and interest. It also suits photos with strong color, high contrast, or graphic-design subject matter. The dye-infused aluminum surface flatters landscapes, sunsets, sports and action shots, architectural photography, and bold graphic imagery.

Metal prints also suit humid-room placements. Because the dye is inside the coating and the substrate is aluminum, a metal print handles kitchens, bathrooms, and similar rooms that put more stress on canvas or paper. The same reason makes metal the most cleanable of the four photo-print mediums Giftenova carries: a damp cloth wipes the surface without lifting any image layer.

Other photo-print mediums suit other needs. For warm painterly tone, see our canvas wall art print guide. For the highest gloss and color saturation in a frameless format, see our tempered glass photo wall art guide. For the full side-by-side comparison, see our canvas vs metal vs fine art paper comparison guide.

How does a metal print mount on the wall?

A Giftenova metal print ships with floating-mount hardware included. The panel mounts directly to the wall using a back-mounted bracket that holds the aluminum surface slightly off the wall, creating a clean floating-shadow gap. No separate frame, no front-facing hardware, no standoffs.

For the step-by-step installation method on drywall and masonry (level + spacing, common mid-install fixes), see our tempered glass wall art installation guide. The general level-twice-drill-once discipline applies regardless of the specific hardware geometry.

Metal print care basics

A metal print is the easiest of our photo-print mediums to clean. Wipe the surface with a damp soft cloth and mild soap if needed. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and abrasive cleaners, because the coating layer can scratch despite the surface durability.

Metal prints are indoor only. The dye-infused coating is water-resistant enough for kitchens and bathrooms. It is not engineered for outdoor weather, uncovered rain, or freeze-thaw exposure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a metal print and a printed metal poster?

A metal print uses dye-sublimation to infuse the image into the aluminum coating, so the image is part of the panel rather than ink sitting on the surface. Some products labeled "metal posters" are surface-printed onto a metal sheet instead. Giftenova metal prints are dye-sublimation, not surface-printed.

Can I hang a metal print in a kitchen or bathroom?

Yes. Metal prints are water-resistant and suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid-room placements. They are not weather-rated, so avoid outdoor patios, balconies, and any spot exposed to direct rain or freeze-thaw cycles.

What photo works best on metal?

Metal favors photos with strong color, high contrast, or graphic-design subject matter. Landscapes, sunsets, sports action, and architectural photography come out beautifully. Lower-contrast portraits can still work, but photos with stronger color and contrast usually play more to metal's strengths; soft tonal portraits often suit a fine art paper print better. For the full photo-by-format guide, see our how to choose the right photo for wall art guide.

What size metal print should I order for my wall?

Match the panel size to the available wall space and viewing distance. The full sizing matrix by room and wall is in the sibling sizing guide linked above.

How long does a custom metal print take to make and ship?

Production takes 2 to 5 business days from checkout. Standard shipping adds 3 to 7 business days in the United States. International orders need additional time to clear customs, with import duties paid by the recipient.