Surfaces on Aluminum

Metal Ceiling Tiles

The popular art deco theme on metal is translated on to aluminum ceiling tiles designed and manufactured by Northern Engraving and available through Gage corporation.  Elegant and stylish mathematical geometric designs come to life when combined with mechanical finishes and printing on aluminum.

Two direction brush and texture are the only processes used in the creation of this art deco design.  The brush is applied selectively using a screen printed mask to protect the areas of metal that are not brushed.  Bright aluminum boarders are used to outline the simple linear elements of the design.

The same process are used on this metal tile with the addition of a printed transparent gold tint.  The gold tint takes on the appearance of several colors as it overlaps multiple brush directions and bright aluminum.  The silver and gold finishes combine to create a mixed metal effect.

This tile also builds on the processes featured in the two previous art deco tiles.  The major difference in this tile is the addition of gradations of color.  The tiles interlock to create an opulent art deco motif.

The basic processes of selective brushing and printing transparent tints are the building blocks in decorating aluminum.  They can be used to create modern, Victorian or art deco designs.  The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

What designs springs to mind when thinking about combining brushed aluminum and transparent tints of color?  What other art deco themes would you like to see on a metal ceiling tile?  Can you see art deco themes integrated into product trim?

Decorative Metal Trim

Jewel-like surfaces transformed through the use of mechanical finishes and transparent gold are inspired by our latest trend presentation. Used overall or as an accent they have a futuristic high-tech shimmer. 

Unique brushing and texture in the metal are two of the treatments used in creating the fluid light reflective pieces and a streamlined aesthetic. Forming further highlights the shiny metal.

The attention grabbing finishes could be appropriate integrated into an accent area on a nameplate.  They might be used as an insert to add glitz to a product.  How would you use these types of surfaces? 

Straight Grain, Burl and Exotic Woodgrain Finishes

Woodgrains offer extraordinary surface realism and a new feeling of luxury with richly figured detail and elegant natural looks.

Woodgrains can be printed selectively and complimented with a bright accent bead or brushed aluminum.  Whether looking for sycamore, eucalyptus, and ebony macassar or birdseye maple, walnut and ash, a library of woodgrain finishes is available to be integrated into trim or customized.  Samples are available to assist you in exploring the various grains, colors and gloss levels.  Once a structure or grain is chosen, the overall color of a woodgrain can be adjusted to meet your final design intent.  Custom woodgrain finishes can be matched based on real wood surfaces. 

What trends in woodgrain trim are you are seeing used in products?  Do they vary across industries?  Across cultures?

Technical Finishes

Aluminum finishes taking advantage of the reflective metal surface are our most requested category of finishes.  These types of authentic metal surfaces are popular in automotive trim, appliance trim and electronics.  The simple geometric or technical finishes are often integrated into metal trim or nameplates.

Authentic Metal Finishes

A single structure or pattern is used here to illustrate some of the options when creating aluminum finishes that feature the look and feel of metal.  The basic process for all three finishes involves screen printing a texture on aluminum.  The first finish uses a soft touch texture printed on low gloss aluminum.  The pattern has a technical look with a slightly softer touch.  The second finish contrasts a low gloss black texture against bright aluminum.  The last finish uses a metallic texture on bright aluminum creating an etched look.  Forming the finishes creates natural highlights and shadows that follow the contours.

Pattern Variations

Technical structures shift in appearance when combined with darker or opaque colors as shown here.  The first finish contrasts low gloss black texture against low gloss medium grey.  The combinations in color and process are endless creating a diverse range of possibilities.  High gloss texture screened on high and low gloss black in the next two finishes creates uniquely different looks.  When applied selectively, allowing real metal graphics, boarders or accents to shine through, the finishes compliment and contrast the aluminum.

Opaque or transparent color are also options in technical finishes.  Texture can be applied in a contrasting color such as black.  A clear texture in high or low gloss is used for a more subtle effect.

The finishes shown utilize a single pattern or structure.  Choice in process and color creates the various appearances.  This texture has been explored in a wide variety of looks and applications.  It has been integrated into automotive trim and numerous nameplates.  How would you customize this finish for your product?  What other technical finish or pattern would you use to create a real metal surface?

One of our new finishes was inspired during work on our latest trend show where we were exploring two series of finishes on aluminum.  One series was the popular theme of using gradations of color in patterns.  The other was the exploration of shape shifting surfaces.  Both themes created finishes that change as they travel across the decorative trim piece.  What if we were to combine these themes into one finish?

The resulting aluminum finish is one of the most requested surfaces in our latest show.  It features a diamond shaped texture that evolves from large elongated diamonds to small shortened diamond shapes.  Just as the textures shifts in structure as it moves across the shape so do the transparent tints of color.  A transparent grey tint fades to brushed aluminum which fades to a transparent aqua tint.

The possibilities for exploring this idea are endless.  The texture might be colorless with only a change in gloss against the background.  What if the gradations of color were tone on tone or vivid bright colors?  What would the same finish look like in a high gloss?

What possibilities would you like to see explored with this theme?  Request a sample of the finish to see the subtle gradation of color in this finish.