Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

This series of aluminum finishes translates the distinctive stratification of authentic hand forged Damascus steel onto aluminum trim.  The lost Damascus Steel folding technique in which a sword smith painstakingly stacks and forges layers of steel results in a unique patterning which is easily recognizable.  Traditionally this wood-like grain pattern is known as the water mark.  This patterning has been explored in four unique colorways on aluminum creating dramatically different effects.  All are available to be integrated into aluminum trim or nameplates.

Etched Silver

Stainless Steel

Precious Metals

Anodized Black

Damascus Steel Finish Mood Boards

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The Damascus steel mood boards bring together intricate and bold variations of these structures.  The manipulated surfaces create controlled randomness.  Engineered imperfection is embraced and celebrated in mixed metal, etched, anodized black and stainless steel effects.

Scuffed and dusted treatments are seen in fashion, furniture and the products we use every day.  Further exploration into faux surfaces is a constant in our Design area.  Experimentation with finishing effects often combines contrasting elements for unique looks.  The crackle-effect finish brings together a weathered surface with reflective metal.  The faux painted surface is scuffed and crackled.  Try combining this finish with high gloss bright aluminum or a brushed tint to further push the combination of opposing surfaces.

Other examples of faux finishes on aluminum include patinaed metal and rubbed or worn leathers with an aged quality to them.  All can be customized in color, scale and gloss to meet your product branding needs.  How would you incorporate this type of surface into an appliqué or trim piece?

Request samples of aluminum finishes from our pattern library to begin exploring the breadth of possibilities available to you in creating a finish for decorative trim or nameplates.

When thinking of aluminum trim or nameplates, you don't typically think of stone or granite finishes.  However, these surfaces are only one example of the diverse range of faux finishes available on aluminum.  Printed texture adds to the realism of these surfaces.  All are easily adapted to meet your needs through custom color matching.  Using high contrast colors creates a bold effect while combining subtle colors results in a toned down look.

Request a disc collection to begin exploring the options available to you in aluminum surface design.

Inspired by the interaction between illusion and reality, faux finishes on aluminum play with color, pattern and texture to create captivating experiences for your customer.  This collection of faux surfaces - ranging from distressed metal to stone - is a great illustration of how a brand can use decorative processes on aluminum to integrate custom finishes into metal trim or nameplates.

Replicate natural surfaces, fusing the finishes with inlaid accents and embossed details to support your brand image.  Woodgrain, carbon fiber, marble, patinaed metal and leather finishes rely on standard printing processes to imitate the surfaces on metal while harnessing the power of touch with printed textures and graining.  Highlights of the naturally reflective surface add to the depth.

Whether integrated into automotive interior trim, cosmetic appliqués or nameplates, our library of aluminum finishes includes a large selection of faux finishes to be customized to meet your needs. 

How would you integrate a one of these finishes into a decorative trim piece?  What type of finish would you use?  Are there other faux finishes you would like to see developed on aluminum?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of finishes available for panels, overlays and decorative trim.

Carbon Fiber Patterns on Aluminum Trim

Carbon fiber finishes on aluminum are considered by designers of everything from automobiles and televisions to golf clubs and exercise equipment.  Over the years, we have developed a large palette of interpretations of carbon fiber on to aluminum.  One trait every one of the carbon fiber finishes has in common is movement.  Carbon fiber veneers are beautiful surfaces with movement and depth.  Carbon fiber finishes printed on aluminum capture movement in several ways.  Three options for adding depth to a carbon fiber finish are explored here.

1. Selective Brushing: a resist or mask is used to apply a brush selectively
2. Engine Turn: small overlapping spins catch light and your attention
3. Printed Texture: tightly spaced lines create movement with highlights

Selective Brushing

The number of possibilities are endless when you begin to consider variations in structure and color available to you in the design of a carbon fiber finish.  Layering of transparent inks combines with selective brushing to create an interactive surface with movement.

Engine Turn

Layering a printed carbon fiber finish over an engine turn finish disguises the engine turn.  The result is a surface with movement that is not recognizable as an engine turn.  The flash of the small overlapping spins is added to the carbon fiber finish.

Printed Texture

Texture adds another layer of dimension to carbon fiber finishes.  It can be combined with selective brushing or engine turn or used only with printing.

The choices in carbon fiber finishes are many.  How would you incorporate one of these surfaces into trim or a nameplate.  Would movement and depth be an important component of the finish?

Request samples of carbon fiber finishes on aluminum to see the movement available in these surfaces on aluminum.

The natural beauty of animal skins has always been appealing for product design.  The ability to match these unique structures on aluminum minimizes the effect on the environment while taking advantage of the versatility of aluminum trim manufacturing.

Ford designers carried their custom theme across the aluminum trim in the Mustang concept car with this decidedly non-aluminum finish.  The wrapped leather trim is aluminum printed with a custom faux leather finish.  A screen printed texture adds to the three dimensional effect.

Faux Leather Finishes on Aluminum Trim

This series of aluminum finishes further explores and translates authentic leathers, from exotic skins to shagreen, onto metal.  All can be applied selectively and integrated into trim with selective graphics or brushed accents.  Faux leather finishes combine with any of the finishes from our library of aluminum finishes to create a unique trim piece.

How would you integrate a faux leather finish into trim?  Would you customize the color?  What finish would you combine with a faux leather finish to create the look and feel of luxury?

Request samples of faux leather finishes on aluminum to see the variety of options available to you in integrating these structures into your trim.

Damascus Steel Trim

The distinctive damascus pattern is the focus of this aluminum trim.  The simple, yet elegant, design is our interpretation of the classic damascene steel finish.  Damascene or damascus steel, developed over 1,500 years ago, is recognizable by a charachteristic swirl pattern on the metal surface.  Authentic damascus steel is somewhat rare.  You will find it used on knives.  The finish is created using stratified layers of hard and soft metal. 

Damascene steel is translated on to aluminum trim using a combination of mechanical finishes and transparent inks.  A bright aluminum border accents this trim.  How would you incorporate this finish into trim?  What type of product would you use it on?

Request a sample of this finish to begin exploring the options available to you in creating authentic metal trim for your product.  

Faux Marble and Stone on Metal

Marble finishes are translated on to aluminum using four color process printing.  Process color has been widely used in our aluminum ceiling tile designs manufactured for Gage Corporation.  Aluminum is desirable in architectural applications, creating the look of marble and granite on a lightweight and sustainable substrate.  Aluminum is decorated in flat sheets and formed, creating realistic dimension seen in marble tiles. 

This marble finish uses a combination of opaque and transparent inks creating reflective details in the stone finish.

Process color is a versatile option in metal decorating, facilitating realistic reproduction of natural surfaces.  Marble, stone and granite surfaces can be printed overall or applied selectively for an inlaid effect.  Metal borders or woodgrain finishes combine with marble finishes creating classic ceiling tile designs.

What applications come to mind for faux surfaces printed on metal?  What marble finish would you like to see reproduced on metal?

Faux Finish on Metal

Nothing is more versatile than denim when it comes to fashion.  Our fascination with the ultimate comfort fabric shifts with the seasons from faded to dark and back.  Weathered jeans and distressed looks are in the spot light.  How would the denim look translate on to aluminum and into your trim or insert?

The aluminum insert shown here is printed with a denim finish.  Embossed rivets accent the denim look. 

The production version of this cosmetic insert is decorated in a gloss black background with embossed gold details.  The two aluminum inserts are dramatically different in appearance.  This is an option to keep in mind when introducing a special edition or product update.  The same tooling is used and the insert updated with a new finish printed on the aluminum.

Request samples of faux finishes to begin exploring the possibilities available to you on aluminum trim.

Stingray Finish on Metal Trim

Stingray leather is making a fashion statement in the world of leather accessories such as belts, wallets, purses and shoes.  The characteristically black leather with a white pearl oval has a unique look and feel that includes hundreds of small bumps making the surface glimmer.

The iridescent shimmer of the natural skin is captured here in aluminum.  A screen printed texture furthers the illusion giving the surface a rich feel.  Imagine the white pearl design customized in shape and size to further compliment a specific trim application.  The faux stingray leather might be featured in metal trim on a laptop, a cell phone or an insert on a motorcycle. 

Aluminum offers the flexibility to reproduce faux surfaces or build on the authentic metal characteristics of the metal.  The wide variety of finishes can be combined into premium metal trim.

What creative ideas do you have for applying the stingray leather finish to a product?  Would you customize the finish by changing the color or the pearl design?