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ChromaLuxe vs. Amazon | Metal Photo Printing comparison | Dye Sublimation

Printing My Photography

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Making a metal panel is so cool, but there's cheap alternatives out there and you might wonder if they're worth the trouble. I make a few prints to compare the ChromaLuxe panel to a bargain option from Amazon. The results are very interesting.

I get many of my materials from HeatPress Nation. Use this "refer a friend" link and get a $10 credit on your first order of $50 or more at HeatPress Nation.
http://rwrd.io/x7wkxzb?c

Once you've clicked the affiliate link above to claim your credit, use these links to get right to the products used in this video.

20"x25" Heat Press: https://www.heatpressnation.com/produ...
11x14 ChromaLuxe panel (gloss)
https://www.heatpressnation.com/produ...

My other supplier, IT supplies
11x14 ChromaLuxe panel (gloss)
https://www.itsupplies.com/ChromaLuxe...
Epson F570 printer:
https://www.itsupplies.com/Epson-Sure...
Epson 24" roll dye sub paper:
https://www.itsupplies.com/Epson-DS-T...
16"x24" ChromaLuxe HD Textured panel
https://www.itsupplies.com/ChromaLuxe...
Epson F170 printer: https://www.itsupplies.com/Epson-Sure...
Epson Dye Sub transfer paper: https://www.itsupplies.com/Epson-DS-T...

Amazon affiliate links for products
11x14 gloss panel: https://amzn.to/41gpnDI
Square black bumpers: https://amzn.to/416f5on
Hangers: https://amzn.to/4k1uleQ

0:08 Introducing the materials
1:46 The specific differences between the two materials
5:47 Getting the equipment ready
6:36 Preparing the images in Photoshop
10:05 Hitting the Print button
12:22 More equipment prep
14:32 Applying the print to the first panel
17:50 Making the second print
19:31 Making the first ChromaLuxe print
20:49 Making the second ChromaLuxe print
21:13 Analyzing the details in the studio

20 Comments

@coastalmetalprints 9 months ago

Thank you for sharing this great video!
We’re just starting out with sublimation metal prints and really appreciate your tip about using the lower-cost Amazon blanks for practice. It’s such a helpful idea for beginners like us.
You mentioned you were planning to work on an ICC profile to improve the quality finish on these blanks. I looked through your earlier questions and comments but didn’t see it posted. We’d love to have access to that profile so we can get the best results possible while practicing.
Thanks again for all the guidance—it’s been invaluable!

@bryangomezz 1 day ago

Hello, great video
I’ve been testing Amazon panels and I keep running into the same issue, mottling water spot finish
Have you had that issue?

@tonyriek4997 1 month ago

We have found that at 365 is not hot enough to get a full bake on the To Be Ace panels. You need to temp this out closer to 385. We also run the time at 70 seconds. They come out perfect for the quality of panels.

@solomonabebe5673 1 year ago

Thank you! As a photographer truly inspired by you...

@GottfriedMarketing-lc1bk 9 months ago

Love this. Thank you.

@kodevicious 1 year ago

That was helpful! I think the amazon ones will be great for testing purposes for newby's or for offering customers a more economical option if you're offering custom printing services. Profiles would be awesome! Is that something you will be offering to the public?

@poisonouslead85 1 year ago

That's weird. I got a ten pack of Chromaluxe from HPN all of mine came with protective film adhered to the substrate.

@rogerramjet69 8 months ago

i always print with the panel facing down to avoid marring.... i also find the cheaper panels have like water marks in it where the chromaluxe perfect. its only visible at certain angles.

@SteveF-e9x 1 year ago

Thank you Brent for a great job on this video. It was very helpful and informative. I am going through the same tests now. I also have an F570. I noticed on Chromaluxe's website, they do not recommend Epson Edge Print RIP. Have you tried the Epson RIP?

@TheBigserg42 1 year ago

When you did the Amazon panel the third time, did you do it for 10 seconds or 10 seconds less?

@OrlandoEstrada-u3f 11 months ago

great video sir ! I just subscribed and liked the video. I just bought the Amazon brand ;/ ones . I do have the same sublimation printer, but Im new at this. I have tried printing before on this F-570 but it sometimes mirror the image, and sometimes it doesnt. Its like it doesnt follow my orders. I think it must be the settings that are set to print with printer settings instead of computer settings? Do you happen to have a video regarding the printing settings (also have a Mac Book but no photoshop) IF you can, it is much appreciated it. I will keep watching more of your videos tomorrow and learn from you. God bless you too, and keep the videos going !!!

@MarktrustingJesus 1 year ago

I printvon chromaluxe with my epson f6470. The wasacht rip is so much better than epson edge. The dot pattern is night and day difference. Chromaluxe has alot of quality control issues. I buy their 4x8 sheets and cut my panels. Try 350 degrees for 8 minutes for extra protection from chipping on the edges due to overheating.

@valeriizakharov4131 8 months ago

Does anyone know how to fix pizza marks on darker areas. Switch papers, ink ?

@seongbaekim9360 1 year ago

HI thanks for nice video.
I’m also running this business. However, my previous printer, the SC-P6000, broke down, so I’m currently unable to fulfill orders. I’ve heard that the SC-F570 is mainly designed for fabric printing, and when used for metal photo production, it often shows noticeable dithering and lacks color depth.

If you don’t mind me asking—how are you able to maintain high-quality results? I understand this might be a sensitive question, but could you please share how you’ve made the F570 work well for metal photo printing?

@JayDelaCruz-e6o 1 year ago

Is ok to use thr EPSON L18050?

@GameCoastMods 1 year ago

Thank You, Video is great, Q? Do you think I can use my Procolored P13 DTF Printer to print the sheet and Apply it to the metal sheet or would I need a Epson Printer? Thank You

@hogworks1 1 year ago

You have no camera on what you're doing and you don't get to see the product as you're setting it on the table

@JayDelaCruz-e6o 1 year ago

What will be the perfect temperature and time for heat pressing?

@radwan.k 6 months ago

I think Chromalox aluminum sheets are excessively praised as the best, even though I know suppliers and companies from China that manufacture aluminum sheets that are 80-90% comparable to Chromalox, with excellent finishes and lower prices. Unlike Chromalox, they don't have minimum order quantities. I think Chromalox is a selfish company that doesn't want just anyone to use its products; it wants only large-scale traders with enormous wealth.

@nick066hu 1 year ago

4:25 "advertise it as 0.4 mil" That would be just over 10 microns! (A typical human hair is about 70 microns thick for comparison.) Reality: They advertise it Gauge: .045” (1.14mm).
... "with these differences there's a good reason why the ChromaLuxe is so expensive" Reality: a 1mm sheet of aluminum vs. the 0.5mm sheet of the other manufacturer in that size costs exactly $1.67 more to purchase for manufacturing (calculated with the current sheet metal price $17/kg)