What Is Direct to Media Printing?

Direct to Media (DTM) printing is a large-format inkjet printing process using cured UV ink. The process allows images to be printed directly on to almost any surface, using fine full-colour CMYK inks. The ink is sprayed directly on to the printing surface, and then cured by UV light, drying it almost instantly.

As the name suggests, we can print your image directly to almost any flat material of your choice, within any size up to 3x2m and up to 90mm thick. Direct to Media can be highly durable in comparison to traditional substrate-mounted prints, with the added bonus of being water-resistant.

Direct to Media vs Photographic Prints

The Direct to Media method combines printing and mounting into a single process, rather than the traditional print mounted to your chosen substrate. Unlike traditional printing, Direct to Media inks are bonded to the surface of the substrate, resulting in a resistant and long-lasting image that can even be displayed in outdoor exhibitions. The process can open up a whole new way of showing work, introducing alternative printing materials and allowing for more immersive installations.

Due to Direct to Media being alternative printing process, we would always suggest a test print before running a final piece. Every image and material prints differently, allowing for a unique finish for your artwork.

Examples of materials supplied by Metro Imaging:

– Perspex
– Vinyl
– Aluminium
– MDF
– Dibond (Brushed, White, Mirrored etc.)

Examples of client supplied materials:

– Glass
– Tile
– Mirror
– Copper
– Textiles
– Wood
– Slate

Have a material in mind? Get in touch for a quote!

Images:

1. DTM on Perspex, installation image from You Will Enter An Oasis © Felicity Hammond

2. DTM on Wood, section of Portrait Salon 2017 installation © Portrait Salon

3. DTM on Leather, installation image from Paul Smith Japan © David Bailey

For more information about our services, or for help ordering, please get in touch

We offer the following types of printing

Partial photo of a face covered in hundres and thousands printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper which is available in both gloss and a semi matt finish.

C Type Professional Photo Printing

We have been printing the highest quality C-Type prints for decades and digital C-Types produced on our Lambda have the archival and tonal benefits of traditional photographic papers, with the advantages of digital photo printing. C-Types are a conventional photographic print from a digital file, and as such is the most suitable option when printing a colour photograph.

Printing linking you through to our giclee printing service.

Fine Art Giclée Printing

We have Hahnemuhle and Canson Giclée Certified Studio staus and with over 30 years experience in photographic printing we use the most advanced inkjet technologies. Giclée is a gallery-quality inkjet print onto fine art watercolour paper. This is most suitable for art illustrations, but can also be used for colour and B&W photographs.

This a picture take of a very large black and white ilford fibre based print of two people.

Black & White Printing

We have worked in collaboration with Harman Technology to develop genuine B&W silver gelatin Fibre-Based and Resin-Coated photographic prints from digital files. The Resin-Coated is suitable for most types of B&W printing, and Fibre-Based is ideal for exhibition quality.

Picture of a Duratran. Duratrans are a real chromogenic print on translucent material and are then mounted on lightboxes.

Duratran Printing

We produce Duratrans at a quality level unmatched by anything else out there. Duratrans have to be lit from behind, so need to be mounted in a rear lit display, or we can produce led lightboxes, which are conventional photo frames containing the Duratran and led panel.

Metro called it Direct to Media. Essentially this is a UV printing machine that can produce very large, up to 3m x 2m prints on any flat material less than 10cm thick. So we can print on wood, metal, slate and pretty much anything you can think of.

Direct to Media Printing

Direct to media printing is exactly that; we print your image directly to a substrate of your choice. Be it paper, card, aluminium, Perspex, canvas, wood, slate… Our Jetrix UV inkjet flatbed printer can print on any flat surface up to 3m x 2m, less than 10cm thick. To ensure your material is suitable, we can print test prints around A4 in size.

This is a print on adhesive vinyl. The vinyl is on a roll and 1.2m wide, but it can printed in multiple pieces in order to cover a wall.

Vinyl Printing

Vinyl Phototex is chosen for its high-quality Giclée finish as well as its ease of application to wall or mounting material due to its self-adhesive properties. We can print on vinyl using our direct to media printer, in strips of 1.5m x 3m and these can be applied to the wall in the fashion of wallpaper to cover a complete wall or interior.

Mounting and framing

Picture Frame Hire

Picture frame hire is a great alternative to our framing service; we offer photo frame hire on a short or long-term basis, for art or photographic projects. Our range of ready-to-go picture frames, come in a range of sizes including 20 x 16, 24×20 and 30×20 inches, and are constructed to our usual high standards.

Picture Framing

Whether you have photographic prints or original art, our bespoke framing service provides expertly hand framed work by our talented finishing team. We have facilities to mount and frame works tup to 10ft x 6ft.

Photo Mounting

Photographic mounting is a great way to present your photographs for exhibitions or the home. Surfaces such as MDF and foamex are prized for durability, MDF for rigidity, Foamboard for lightweight versatility. Reverse Perspex is ideal for vibrant colours and aluminium adds a modern twist.