Metallic silver and gold prints
A metallic print shifts as you walk past it, because the base under the ink reflects light. Silver keeps colours cooler, while gold warms everything it touches.
Silver or gold: pick by the image.
Ink on a metallic finish seems lit from within. Light passes through the colour, hits the reflective layer and comes back out. Where ink is thin, the sheen shows. Where it is heavy, the sheen drops away. So your lightest areas will shine most, and your darkest will stay fairly quiet.
| Your image | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Black and white photography | Strong choice, with a steely look | Reads like an old warm-toned print |
| Cars, glass, water, night scenes | Strong choice | Usually too warm |
| Sunsets, interiors, jewellery | Works | Strong choice |
| Blues and greens | Colours stay fairly true | Tend to shift towards olive |
| Skin tones | Can look cold | Can look yellow, so test first |
| Logos and bold type | Good for a modern feel | Good for a classic or premium feel |
Gold affects every colour on the sheet, because each one is seen against a warm base. That is the point of it, but it surprises people who expected a white area to stay white.
Lighting decides the effect
Under one directional source, such as a spotlight or a window to the side, the surface comes alive. Under flat, even ceiling light it looks calmer. If the print is going somewhere dim, you may see far less sheen than you hoped for, so think about the light before the frame.
Glazing needs thought too. Glass over a reflective print adds a second shine, so if you are planning to frame the piece, compare it with and without glass, or consider mounting it on board instead.
Adjusting your artwork
A file balanced for white paper may need work. Screens cannot preview this finish, so judge a sample by eye in the room's actual light. Our design team can adjust layouts, and our guide to metallic prints covers other reflective photo finishes.
Prices, and an odd detail worth knowing
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| A2 | £35 |
| 30in x 20in | £35 |
| A1 | £45 |
| 40in x 30in | £72 |
| A0 | £92 |
| 60in x 40in | £142 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
A2 and 30in x 20in cost the same here, yet 30in x 20in (about 762mm x 508mm) is clearly the larger sheet. If your image suits a 3:2 shape, it is the better size to look at first.
Sheen, surface and scale.
Your questions.
Is the print made from real metal?
No. It is a coated print material with a silver or gold sheen, not a sheet of metal. If you want a rigid metal-based board, look at Dibond.
Will gold print look like gold leaf?
Not quite. It has a metallic glow but it is smoother and more even than leaf, which has its own texture and edges.
Can I see a sample first?
Ask us. Because the finish changes so much with light, seeing it in person or in your room is worth the extra step on a big piece.