Duraluxe: Exterior Grade Sublimation Metal for Beautiful Raised-Layered Effects
Sublimation
Video Description:
Duraluxe is a sublimation metal designed for exterior-grade applications and is capable of UV printing raised, layered effects such as braille. Its specially formulated coating that makes it resistant to harsh conditions, graffiti, scratches, and heavy wear. The thicker coating provides exceptional durability, ensuring your designs remain vibrant over time.
Video Transcript:
Hi, I’m Luke from O’Brien Engineering. Welcome to Material Mondays, where we focus on one of our specialised materials from our extensive range.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at Duraluxe – an exterior-grade sublimation material that you can purchase as a sheet or have cut to size using our in-house facilities to meet your specific requirements.
Duraluxe is a sublimation metal; it’s aluminium-based and 1.35mm thick. It’s a relatively new product that we import from overseas. Here, we have two examples of Duraluxe that we have punched in-house to create a credit card or business card size. We have the white and the new brushed silver.
Duraluxe is an exterior-grade material that is slightly thicker than some of the other sublimation stock we carry. Working with Nova Sublimation, we have utilised their UV printing technology to print directly onto this product. They have even been able to create a raised effect that meets compliance standards for Braille.
When we visited Nova, they walked us through the process. They programmed the design, created a jig within their printer, set up the artwork, and printed directly onto the product using predefined parameters based on the supplied size. Using their Mutoh UV printer, they were able to print in multiple layers to achieve the raised effect required for compliant Braille.
Most sublimation materials aren’t designed for exterior use. Duraluxe, however, has a unique coating that makes it exterior-rated, chemical-resistant, and highly durable. It also has high resistance to graffiti, scratching, and heavy wear.
Because of its thicker coating, Duraluxe requires precise cutting methods. If cut incorrectly, the coating can chip, which may affect the adhesion of sublimation prints or other finishes. We have mastered the cutting process and can use a guillotine or punching methods to create finished shapes for you. Alternatively, you can cut it using a router with a high-speed bit, which ensures clean edges without damaging the coating.
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