Printing on Aluminium Foil
The moment of terror while the printer grabbed the aluminum foil was well worth the results!
I’m waiting for the ink to dry before I attempt to scan it, this is a photograph of the end result
The Original Image
The Process:
I started using Golden Digital Ground in Matt and while excited by the possibilities was a little disappointed by the thick white texture. It really is best just for supporting other white papers to take ink. I did like the effect it left on newspaper when I left a margin.
Step two was the Gloss digital Ground for porous surfaces.
My important discover here was that the paper MUST be flat as possible. The printer makes unhappy sounds unless you have a lot of clearance under the print head.
Oh and don’t put paper in the oven to dry on the racks unless they are clean… mysterious orange stains on one batch of paper :(
Today I was feeling brave, and a little reckless. I purchased the Digital Ground for non-porous surfaces. More Mixed Media on the Golden webpage explained the process for using aluminium foil. Tape it down with masking tape to a carrier sheet and apply two coats with a foam brush. I’ve also got some acetate to try out as well.
I have a Canon IP4600 and the feed seems to be the only issue. It grabs the paper in the middle and if the foil isn’t taped down tight it will bunch up. It also runs lines down the page – however I think it adds to the picture!
No surface is safe from my quest to print on anything I can!
betty porteus
Wow!
I am in awe – so much potential for this process, congratulations Michelle
Michelle Walsh replied
Betty thank you – glad you like the process.
Tracy Wallace
That is so cool!
Michelle Walsh replied
Thanks Tracy. I was so excited when I found the original bottle but I really didn’t think it would work as well as it did. The best part is waiting to see what appears on the other side of the printer
RandyLMonteith
Michelle they do make foil sheets you can print on I bought some a while back from the local Radio Shack. Have fun experimenting!
Michelle Walsh replied
You have restored my faith in Radio Shack (Circuit City/Source bought them out here in Canada). I’d swore off them after asking for a potentiometer and being told to go to a consumer electronics store…..
John Robb
oh how wonderfully serendipitous this adventure would be. I look forward to seeing more.
Michelle Walsh replied
The joy of seeing what appears helps with the terror on the moment that the printer grabs the paper. I get visions of it falling apart inside and trying to explain to Canon what i did…
Jeff Stroud
This is very adventurous and creative… as well as beautiful… Thank you for sharing!
Michelle Walsh replied
I think everyone should be trying this! It’s so much fun to get back to chance with photography. Not knowing the outcome is part of the fun. Thanks Jeff
Shoaib .
wow this came out great .. nice work
Michelle Walsh replied
Thanks I’m glad you like the outcome – even on a funny angle with bad flash :)
Michelle Walsh
Gold gift wrap foil also works!!!!
Soxy Fleming
very inspiring! I guess as I’m planning on a new printer I could have a go at abusing the old one…I did try using my home made paper through and even older one….complete disaster! just too soft for the feed to cope with
Michelle Walsh replied
Thanks Soxy – using an old printer is the sensible option! The digital ground firms up the paper so it’s not soft. That’s where the matt stuff is great.
Apparently some models of Epsons have more space between the print head and the feed-thingy, so I am shopping around for a second hand one.
Tania Rose
oh, yay too you! I’m about to wreck my own printer trying a few new things myself. Thanks for sharing your experimentations!
Michelle Walsh replied
I still haven’t broken it! Watch the paper grabber and the paper ejector. I can’t wait to see someone else’s experiments!!
bygeorge
WOW – different – thanks for sharing this with us all – I can’t wait to get hame and give it a try :-))
Michelle Walsh replied
Glad you are going to try! It’s great fun.
owlspook
WOW Michelle .. this is totally cool!! thanks for sharing your experiments with us and the link! (big smile) ... I’ve added this to my ideas to possibly pursue list (big smile)
Michelle Walsh replied
It’s so much fun – and not as messy or labour intensive as some of the other alternative processes. Glad you like it and I can’t wait to see some other people give it a go!
Lozzle
wow! this is very interesting….what a wonderful result! i must try this sometime…
Michelle Walsh replied
Thanks Lozzle – You have to try it! Photos with vibrant colours are best – pastel colours can get lost as there is so much background being used. It’s hard sometimes to remember the background is white – but that makes it all the more experimental!