Metal Prints

Bay Photos offers prints on aluminum. The benefits include easy to clean, waterproof and scratch resistant. Therefore you do not need to mount the print using a mat and glass, just a picture frame. While the costs are about the same using Museum quality mats and non-glare glass I find it saves time,it's easier to transport and adding a frame at a show is quick and easy.

Has anyone else has any experience with aluminum prints, and more importantly do buyers like prints without mats and glass?

From my experience prints on archival papers, matted and framed behind glass are still the most desired form or fine art photography. It may have to do with tradition or the actual frame qualities adding to the decor of the piece. Things always change as well this may. Canvas, prints on aluminum and other substrates seem to be more of a specialty in the market place rather than the norm.

Personally I think the metal prints are the ultimate method of display. After all the idea behind gallery style frames is that they don't draw attention away from the photo. Well how better to focus attention than to have no frame at all? That said, change takes time. Particularly cultural change. And at the end of the day, what sells, sells. It will be interesting to see if metal prints catch on in a big way. Though they are a pain in the butt to deal with. One ding and they are finished.

I offer all three but my biggest sellers are the matted, mounted and framed prints. I believe there is a special market for the metal prints and even the canvas. Although I love the canvas as it's easier to transport and hang, they are an expensive investment as are the metal. When I exhibit my work, I exhibit all three styles, but folks seem to buy the framed prints more often. I use Bay Photo for my metal prints and love their work. I also use Canvas on Demand for canvas and have been very pleased with theirs.

Thanks for your comment regarding metal prints. While I like them I have to agree that the public still likes framed and matted prints.

I use Pounds Labs in Dallas for my metal print clients which have grown in past two years. I used Bay Photo for a special larger size Pounds did not offer for a client and got great service and results.
The print mounted on another shadow print is gaining popularity also.
Traditional framed prints will never be replaced but clients with edgy ideas love the metal and the high gloss look for certain subjects are terrific.

Rick, Thanks for your response. Can you explain what you mean by "shadow print" or better yet, Do you have a picture of one of you shadow print images?

Jim