# US 2014/0154431 A1 · Method for printing a digital image on a stylized metallic sheet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154431 A1 - Document ID: US20140154431A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/093,693 - Filed: 2013-12-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Shinkle Fine Art, LLC - Applicants: Shinkle Fine Art, LLC - Inventors: Theodore M Shinkle; Linda K. Shinkle Rodney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154431A1 ## CPC - G03F 7/16: Coating processes; Apparatus therefor (applying coatings to base materials in general B05; applying photosensitive compositions to base for photographic purposes G03C1/74) - B44C 1/00: Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects (decorating textiles D06Q) - B44C 1/005: {by altering locally the surface material (surface treatment to obtain special artistic surface effects or finishes B44D5/00)} - B44C 5/0415: {containing metallic elements} - F21V 33/0032: {Paintings, pictures or photographs; Frames therefor} - F21Y 2103/10: comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - Y10T 428/24355: Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.] - G03F: PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR; (phototypographic composing devices B41B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; electrophotography, sensitive layers or processes therefor G03G) - B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)} - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method for creating an artistic image involving printing a digital image on the front surface of a regionally stylized metallic sheet. The method includes the steps of preparing a preparatory image, selecting one or more regions of the front surface for stylization, placing the preparatory image on the front surface of the metallic sheet, stylizing the selected regions with techniques such as physical abrasion, chemical reaction, or heat, and then digitally printing the digital image upon the regionally stylized front surface of the metallic sheet to produce the artistic image. The invention also includes articles produced by this method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of printing a digital image on a metallic sheet having a front surface, said method comprising the steps of: preparing a preparatory image having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions desired for the printed image; selecting one or more first regions of the front surface for stylization; placing the preparatory image on the front surface of the metallic sheet; stylizing the selected first regions according to a first technique; and then digitally printing the digital image upon the regionally stylized front surface of the metallic sheet to produce the artistic image. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the preparatory image comprises a light projection of the digital image projected by a light projector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the preparatory image comprises a masking material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the masking material comprises an imprint of the digital image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising the step, prior to stylizing the selected first regions, of projecting the digital image upon the masking material using a light projector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising the step, prior to placing the preparatory image on the front surface of the metallic sheet, of excising portions of the masking material corresponding to the selected first regions and leaving the remainder of the masking material as part of the preparatory image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step, subsequent to selecting one or more first regions for stylization, of withholding stylization according to the first technique from one or more unselected regions of the front surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first technique is selected from the group consisting of physical abrasion, chemical treatment, and application of heat; ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the imprinted digital image has a top and the metallic sheet has a granular direction that is substantially horizontal relative to the top of the imprinted digital image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step, prior to digitally printing, of: selecting one or more second regions of the front surface for stylization; stylizing the selected second regions according to a second technique. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step, prior to digitally printing, of removing substantially all material extrinsic to the metallic sheet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising the step, subsequent to removing substantially all material extrinsic to the metallic sheet, of applying to the front surface an ink adhesion precoat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps, subsequent to removing substantially all material extrinsic to the metallic sheet and prior to printing, of: placing a back surface of the metallic sheet on a substantially flat and level surface with the front surface exposed and facing upwards; providing a dispersion tool; applying the ink adhesion precoat to the front surface; and drawing the dispersion tool horizontally across the front surface to distribute the precoat across substantially all of the front surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the substantially flat and level surface comprises a plurality of base portions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the plurality of base portions comprises a central portion, a first side portion abutting the central portion, a second side portion abutting the central portion, and a third side portion abutting the central portion, and wherein the area of the metallic sheet is larger than the area of the central portion and is smaller than the combined area of the plurality of base portions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step subsequent to drawing the rod horizontally across the front surface to uniformly distribute the precoat, of removing one or more side portions from underneath the metallic sheet to expose one or more edges and nearby back surfaces of the metallic sheet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An artpiece produced by the process of claim 1 wherein a front surface of a metallic sheet comprising a plurality of regions having varying surface textures is imprinted with an image by a digital printer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The artpiece of claim 17 further comprising a substantially rectangular metal frame adhered to a back surface of the metallic sheet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The artpiece of claim 17 further comprising a programmable LED lighting array directed at the front surface. ### Claim 20 A method of printing a digital image on an aluminum sheet, the digital image having a top and the aluminum sheet having a front surface, a back surface, and a granular direction, comprising the steps of: projecting the digital image upon a sheet of masking material using a light projector; sizing the projected digital image to correspond to the dimensions of a desired artistic image; selecting one or more first regions of the projected image for stylization according to a first technique; producing a preparatory image by excising portions of the masking material corresponding to the selected first regions and leaving the remainder of the masking material; adhering the preparatory image to the front surface of the aluminum sheet; stylizing the excised areas of the preparatory image according to a first technique selected from the group consisting of physical abrasion, chemical treatment, and application of heat; removing the preparatory image from the front surface; removing substantially all material extrinsic to the aluminum sheet; placing the aluminum sheet with the front surface exposed and facing upwards on a substantially flat and level surface, said surface comprising a central portion, a first side portion abutting the central portion, a second side portion abutting the central portion, and a third side portion abutting the central portion, wherein the aluminum sheet is larger than the area of the central portion and smaller than the combined area of the central and side portions; applying an ink adhesion precoat to the front surface using a metering rod to distribute the precoat across substantially all of the front surface; removing one or more of the side portions from underneath the aluminum sheet to expose one or more edges and nearby back surfaces of the aluminum sheet to air; drying the precoat; and digitally printing the digital image upon the regionally stylized front surface of the aluminum sheet such that the granular direction is substantially horizontal relative to the top of the imprinted digital image; and applying at least one protective postcoat to the front surface.