Shiny Prints Metal Print Review
- About Shiny Prints
- Shiny Prints Metal Print Options
- Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: What is an Edge-Mount Metal Print?
- Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: How'd the iPhone Image Turn Out?
- Box Mount - This is an ideal option for smaller prints because it floats the print 3/4" off the wall.
- Premium Frame Mount - This mount (shown above) also floats the print 3/4" off the wall. However, it also offers a clean, professional appearance on the back and includes a cleat, screws, and a level for ensuring the print hangs correctly.
- Tuxedo Mount - This type of mount has a 1/4" black polystyrene backing that improves the side view of the print while adding a greater heft and visual appeal. The backing also adds protection to the edges of the print, which is ideal if the print will be moved frequently, such as from one art show or gallery to another.
- Signature Backstamp - For another level of quality, you can opt for the signature backstamp, which includes your signature, logo, information about the edition run, your website, and whatever other details you wish to include on the back of the print. This option pairs well with the Tuxedo Mount for an ultra-professional result.
Earlier this year, I ordered a 20x30 Shiny Prints metal print as part of a test to find out if it's possible to get a high-quality, beautiful metal print from an iPhone photo.
The question is, does Shiny Prints shine as a viable option for doing so?
I've ordered numerous prints from Shiny Prints in the last few months, and I've been extremely impressed every single time. But those prints didn't involve an iPhone photo - thus, this test!
As I explain in the video above, I'm launching a series of iPhone print reviews to see which printing companies rise above the rest in terms of the print quality, color rendition, sharpness, and so forth. So, consider this your introduction to this series!
Below, I've outlined the high points of my Shiny Prints metal print review. Give it a read, or tune into the video above to get the scoop!
Table of Contents:
About Shiny Prints
Let me start this Shiny Prints metal print review by giving you a little backstory about Shiny Prints...
Shiny Prints is based in Palm Beach County, Florida, where it was established in 2013 as a passion project to deliver the highest-quality prints possible. The company actually began in the founder and COO's garage.
Soon, the fledgling company began working with artists and photographers in the area, who gave Shiny Prints the feedback necessary to develop the best prints available. A key component of that was to focus on quality above quantity. This attention to craftsmanship and detail enabled Shiny Prints to build a reputation as the go-to place for high-end metal prints.
Shiny Prints works exclusively with metal, which has allowed the company to become hyper-focused on developing the best processes for printing on this medium. Shiny Prints uses only the latest F-line dye sublimation printers from Epson to ensure the best prints. Along with custom print profiles, Shiny Prints can achieve a stunning level of quality. Add highly competitive prices, and you have a recipe for a successful, high-quality printing company!
Shiny Prints Metal Print Options
Shiny Prints offers a wide range of options and features that enable you to create a print that truly speaks to the subject matter in the image.
For example, you can choose from prints as small as 8x8 up to as big as 48x96. Custom sizing is also available - a nice treat for those special images that require a unique-sized print. Heck, Shiny Prints even offers custom shapes!
Shiny Prints also offers true ChromaLuxe HD metal prints. ChromaLuxe is the industry standard for high-end prints, and the quality of the imagery is undeniable. Shiny Prints cuts the aluminum panels using a CNC machine, which results in a mirror finish and clean edges that enhance the beauty of the image.
Another feature worth mentioning is that Shiny Prints uses the Adobe1998 color space (as opposed to the more common sRGB color space). But why? Well, the Adobe1998 color space is larger, which allows all the colors of your image to shine through. What's more, these profiles are calibrated on a regular basis, so the colors are accurate and true to what the technicians see on the screen.
Something else to appreciate about Shiny Prints is it offers various mounts and backings for customizing the look of your prints. As I noted earlier, I ordered an edge-mount print, which I'll discuss in more detail in the next section. The other options are as follows:
Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: What is an Edge-Mount Metal Print?
Since I ordered an edge-mount Shiny Prints metal print, I wanted to go into a little more detail about what type of mount it is.
As you can see above, this option adds a 1.3-inch-thick black edging to the print that gives it beautiful depth and dimension. The black color is crucial - it doesn't distract from the imagery on the front of the print. It also adds an air of sleekness and luxury that makes the print look and feel even higher-end than it already is.
What's more, this type of mount comes with all the mounting hardware you need to hang the print on the wall. And when you get it on the wall, the edge-mount system really looks like a million bucks! And, if you like, you can add Shiny Prints' Signature Backstamp to your edge-mount metal print for that added layer of professionalism.
Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: How'd the iPhone Image Turn Out?
Now, for the nitty-gritty of this Shiny Prints metal print review...Below, I've summarized my thoughts on various aspects of this print, from the packaging to the color to the detail of the print, and more.
Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: The Packaging
If you've watched my other print review videos or read my review articles, you know I'm a stickler for packaging. What's the point of buying a print if the company sends it in a flimsy box that's likely to be destroyed in transit?!
Shiny Prints absolutely crushed it on this metric. As I mentioned in the review video, when the box arrived, I couldn't believe all that was inside was a 20x30 Shiny Prints metal print. The box was big, beefy, and constructed of plywood that I had to unscrew to access the print - an added step, to be sure, but one that was well worth it knowing that the print inside would be pristine from its journey!
Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: Build Quality
Hands down, this Shiny Prints metal print is one of the most well-built metal prints I've ever gotten. The edges of the metal print are extremely tight, giving the print a highly professional look. There are no burrs or sharp edges, either - just beutifully-cut metal!
The edge mounting is superb, too. The sheen of the black gives it that touch of elegance I mentioned earlier, and I love how the thickness of the edge mounting brings the print out from the wall.
This print came with a robust mounting system that was easy to install and honestly feels like it could hold a print that's five times the size. It's very robust and exudes the high-quality craftsmanship that the image itself displays. From corner to corner, front to back, this print is an absolute rockstar!
Shiny Prints Metal Print Review: Image Quality
I'll be honest - I had my doubts about ordering a 20x30 HD metal print of an image taken with my iPhone. However, this Shiny Prints metal print made me a believer that you can get large-format prints of your smartphone photos.
I just cannot stress how impressed I am with this metal print's color accuracy, depth, and sharpness. It is simply fantastic!
There's no noise, either. I thought there would be at least a little bit of graininess from enlarging the image, but I was wrong. This Shiny Prints metal print looks incredible with beautiful highlights, rich shadows, and a depth of detail that I seldom see in my metal print testing.
All in all, this Shiny Prints metal print review should tell you one thing - Shiny Prints is 100 percent worthy of your business! Whether you're an amateur, a pro, or somewhere in between, these folks will deliver a product that you can be proud of.
Head over to Shiny Prints today to get your order started!
