I don't know about you, but I'm always on the lookout for ways that I can improve my photography.
Usually, that involves learning new skills or techniques regarding the process of taking photos or developing a better understanding of learning how to use my camera.
But to end your quest for better photos there is a mistake.
Instead, there's another step that can have a huge impact on how your photos look - that step is how you have your photos printed.
Metal Is In
It seems like not that long ago that the notion of printing a photo on metal would have sounded like crazy talk.
But metal is in vogue now, and as someone that's bought a few metal prints, I can tell you that they are definitely worth the money.
Now, this isn't to say that if you have a bad photo printed on metal that it will magically look awesome.
If you have a great shot, though, metal can elevate it to an entirely other level.
Why Metal Looks So Good
Let me start by saying that not all metal prints look good. You have to be selective with the printing company and choose one, like Artbeat Studios, that is committed to quality above all else.
For example, Artbeat Studios heat infuses the photo into an aluminum sheet. That renders the image water-resistant, UV-resistant, and scratch-resistant as well.
And since they use ChromaluxeTM aluminum sheets and color check all prints on color-calibrated monitors, you're certain to get a final product that has vibrant, gorgeous colors with excellent contrast.
Another factor that makes these metal prints look like a million bucks is the surface and finish treatments.
You can choose from white or silver surfaces - the former, which gives the image a bright, vivid look that's ideal for landscapes and portraits, and the latter, which is ideal for black and white photos or high-contrast photos that allows the silver surface to shine through. See the difference between the two in the video above.
You can top off the look with a choice of a glossy or matte finish, too.
A glossy finish adds a dramatic shine to the shot while enhancing its depth. A matte finish, on the other hand, offers a glare-free finish for images that you want to display in rooms with a lot of light.
It's Not Just the Metal Surface That's Important, Though
Though the metal substrate gets all the attention, a top-of-the-line metal print has to have the stuff "under the hood" to really have a strong impact.
Metal prints by Artbeat Studios fit the bill.
As shown above, you can choose between two different kinds of mounts - recessed or flush.
The recessed mount places the mount one-inch from the edge of the print, which gives it the look of floating on the wall.
The flush mount brings the mount to the edge of the bring, giving it added body and visual weight for a highly impactful look.
The type of wall mount on the back of a metal print is also important.
You want something that's finely crafted so that your print hangs properly on the wall for years and years to come.
That means using the best products, like wood or aluminum, to build the mount.
Again, Artbeat Studios delivers on that front with your choice of natural or black wood as well as silver or black aluminum, each of which offers a gorgeous complement to the imagery in the print.
Customize the Size to Your Liking
Another great thing about having your photos printed on metal is that there's so many different sizes that you can choose from.
HD Metal Prints are offered in just about any size imaginable, from an 8"x10" print for a small space up to a huge 40"x60" print that will be a true statement piece on the wall.
And because Artbeat Studios cuts their aluminum sheets in-house, you don't have to be constrained to a certain size of print.
Just send them the uncropped version of your image, and they will create a custom aluminum print for you up to 40"x60" at no extra cost.
Editor's Creative Tip: Elevate the quality of your photos by turning them into fine art. Find out how to do that here.
As I noted earlier, I have several metal prints, each of them from Artbeat Studios.
I can tell you that it's one thing to read about the quality of these prints, but a whole other thing to actually see your photos come to life as a metal print.
Like I said before, though it's important to concentrate on building your photography skills, learning to use your camera, and so forth, you also need to utilize the best possible printing methods to extract all the impact you can out of your photos.
For my money, that means using Artbeat Studios to print your images on metal.