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Wood grained extrusion finishing

I have seen a dye sublimated image of wood grain on aluminum extrusions for window frames. The image completely wraps around the extrusion. How is this achieved and with what equipment?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff Burton
digital imaging - Fairfax, Virginia
2001

Hi, Jeff. It may be dye sublimation, in which case they wrapped the image (printed on paper) around the extrusion before raising the temperature to the sublimation point. But sublimation is not the only approach to wood grain on aluminum -- and probably not even the most common. It could be water transfer printing or a wood-grain powder coating. Some interesting insights can be found on threads 31347, 43620. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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