Sublimation aluminum is a treated aluminum sheet or blank with a polyester coating. The coating bonds with sublimation dyes under heat and pressure. The brushed gold variant has a fine directional grain beneath the coating. This gives printed items a premium metallic look without paint or foil.
The material is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to cut or bend. It handles both indoor and outdoor use. The gold tone shows through unprinted areas, creating a natural metallic border effect around your design.
The sublimation coating sits on top of the brushed surface. Unprinted zones stay gold. Printed zones become full-color. This makes every piece look custom-finished with minimal effort.
Alloy & Temper Specifications
Most brushed gold sublimation aluminum uses 1000- or 3000-series alloys. These offer good flatness, a clean surface for coating, and easy fabrication.
| Alloy | Temper | Tensile Strength | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | H14 | ~110 MPa | Photo panels, gift items |
| 1100 | H18 | ~165 MPa | Thin decorative sheets |
| 3003 | H14 | ~150 MPa | Nameplates, signs |
| 3003 | H16 | ~170 MPa | Awards, plaques |
| 5052 | H32 | ~228 MPa | Outdoor panels, ID tags |
Coating & Finish Details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coating type | Polyester sublimation coating |
| Coating thickness | 25–40 microns |
| Base finish | Brushed, #4 grain direction |
| Color tone | Gold (warm yellow-bronze) |
| Surface hardness | ≥ 2H pencil hardness |
| Print temp range | 180–200°C |
| Press time | 45–90 seconds |
Standard Sizes & Thickness
Sheet & Coil Dimensions
| Format | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet | 0.3 / 0.5 / 0.8 | 600 / 1000 / 1220 | Up to 2440mm, custom cut |
| Sheet | 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 | 1000 / 1220 | Standard sheet stock |
| Coil | 0.2 – 0.8 | 100 – 1500 | Roll-to-roll, MOQ applies |
| Cut blank | 0.5 / 0.8 / 1.0 | Custom | Pre-cut to order shape |
Product Types
Brushed gold sublimation aluminum comes in many ready-to-use forms. Each type fits different printing setups and end products.
Flat Sheets
Full-size sheets for in-house cutting. Ideal for shops that produce varied sizes. Available in 0.3–2mm thickness.
Pre-cut Blanks
Ready-to-print pieces in fixed sizes. Common for photo tiles, ornaments, and keychains. No trimming needed.
Award Plaques
Thicker blanks (1.0–2.0mm) with straight or beveled edges. Used for trophies, certificates, and recognition boards.
Dog Tags & ID Tags
Small laser-cut or die-cut pieces. Punched hole for cord or chain. Popular for pet ID, military style, and events.
Photo Panels
Thin, flat panels (0.5mm) for wall-mounted photo prints. Light weight makes mounting easy. Color pops on the gold base.
Keychain Blanks
Small rectangular or oval blanks with drilled hole. Full-color sublimation on both sides possible. Smooth edges.
Coil Stock
Continuous roll for automated cutting or stamping. Used in industrial nameplate production and large-run orders.
Circle Discs
Round blanks in diameters from 25mm to 300mm. Used for medallions, bottle openers, and decorative wall discs.
Name Badges
Pin-back or magnet-back blanks. Pre-drilled or fitted with adhesive mount. Common at conferences and retail stores.
Key Dimensions by Product Type
| Product | Size Range | Thickness | Finish Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo panel | 100×150mm – 600×900mm | 0.45–0.5mm | Single |
| Award plaque | 150×200mm – 300×400mm | 1.0–2.0mm | Single |
| Keychain blank | 25×50mm – 40×90mm | 0.8–1.0mm | Double |
| Dog tag | 25×50mm (standard) | 0.8mm | Double |
| Name badge | 55×90mm – 65×100mm | 0.8–1.0mm | Single |
| Circle disc | Ø25mm – Ø300mm | 0.8–1.5mm | Single / Double |
| Flat sheet | 600×1200mm – 1220×2440mm | 0.3–3.0mm | Single |
| Coil | W: 100–1500mm, custom length | 0.2–0.8mm | Single |
| Nameplate strip | W: 20–100mm, L: custom | 0.5–1.0mm | Single |
Application Areas
This material fits a wide range of industries. The gold tone adds perceived value, and the sublimation surface allows full-color customization without additional finishing steps.
Awards & Recognition
- Corporate achievement plaques
- Sports trophies and medals
- Employee of the month boards
- Academic certificates
- Military commendations
- Donor recognition walls
Personalized Gifts
- Custom photo keychains
- Wedding favor tags
- Personalized bookmarks
- Memorial ornaments
- Birthday gift panels
- Pet portrait panels
Photography & Art Prints
- Metal photo prints for walls
- Gallery display panels
- Portrait panels with gold borders
- Fine art reproductions
- Real estate listing photos
- Wedding photo panels
Signage & Branding
- Office door signs
- Lobby directional signs
- Hotel room number plates
- Reception area branding
- Wayfinding systems
- Menu boards
Industrial Nameplates
- Equipment identification tags
- Serial number plates
- Warning and rating labels
- Asset tracking plates
- Electrical panel labels
- Machinery specification plates
Promotional Products
- Trade show giveaways
- Branded keychains
- Custom dog tags for events
- VIP membership cards
- Sponsor recognition tags
- Conference name badges
Retail & Luxury Goods
- Jewelry product tags
- Watch box nameplates
- Premium gift packaging labels
- Bottle neck tags for spirits
- Cosmetic brand plates
- Handbag hardware labels
Architecture & Interior
- Apartment number plates
- Mailbox nameplates
- Custom house signs
- Elevator floor indicators
- Restroom signs
- Decorative wall art panels
Education & Government
- Student achievement medals
- Faculty name plates
- Library catalog labels
- Public facility signs
- Government office nameplates
- Historic site markers
Comparing Applications by Material Thickness
| Thickness | Best For | Rigidity |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 – 0.5mm | Photo panels, flexible roll-form products | Flexible |
| 0.6 – 0.8mm | Keychains, dog tags, name badges | Semi-rigid |
| 1.0 – 1.2mm | Signage, nameplates, small awards | Rigid |
| 1.5 – 2.0mm | Plaques, large awards, display boards | Very rigid |
| 2.5 – 3.0mm | Industrial tags, heavy-duty signs | Structural |
Surface & Print Performance
Print Quality Factors
The sublimation coating on brushed gold aluminum accepts dye-based inks well. A few points matter for consistent results.
Press settings
- Temperature: 190–200°C (standard)
- Pressure: medium-firm
- Time: 60 seconds for 0.8mm, 75 seconds for 1.5mm+
- Use silicone paper to protect coating
- Peel transfer paper hot for vivid color
Output quality
- Resolution: up to 1440 dpi effective
- Color gamut: wide, includes deep blacks
- Gold areas stay metallic in unprinted zones
- Colors are UV-stable for 3–5 years indoors
- Scratch resistance: moderate (protective laminate optional)
Durability by Environment
| Environment | Expected Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor (dry) | 5–10 years | No special protection needed |
| Indoor (humid) | 3–5 years | Avoid condensation contact |
| Outdoor (sheltered) | 2–4 years | UV-resistant coating recommended |
| Outdoor (exposed) | 1–2 years | Use protective overlaminate |
| Industrial | Varies | Test against specific chemicals |
Why Buyers Choose Brushed Gold Sublimation Aluminum
For print shops
Fast turnaround
No pre-treatment needed. Load, press, peel. Ready in under 2 minutes per piece. Low waste rate.
For gift sellers
High perceived value
The gold finish elevates simple photo products. Customers pay more for metallic-look items than standard prints.
For award makers
Professional look
Gold tone fits formal contexts. Text and logos print crisp. No engraving or etching needed.
For manufacturers
Consistent supply
Available in coil and sheet form. Stable coating quality across batches. Compatible with standard sublimation printers.
Common Certifications & Standards
| Standard | Area | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| RoHS | Hazardous substances | Required for EU market |
| REACH | Chemical compliance | EU chemical regulation |
| ASTM B209 | Aluminum sheet spec | Base material standard |
| ISO 9001 | Manufacturing quality | Process control |
| SGS / BV | Third-party testing | On request for orders |
Ordering Reference
Most suppliers accept orders in full sheets, coil by weight or length, or as pre-cut blanks by piece count. Minimum order quantities vary by format. Sheet orders often start at 50–100 sheets. Blank orders can start at 100–500 pieces depending on size. Custom shapes require tooling or laser cutting fees on small runs.
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| MOQ — sheets | 50–200 sheets |
| MOQ — blanks | 100–500 pieces |
| MOQ — coil | 500 kg or 1 roll |
| Lead time (stock) | 3–7 business days |
| Lead time (custom) | 10–20 business days |
| Packaging | Interleaved with PE film, carton or pallet |
Sublimation Ready Brushed Gold Finish Alloy 1100 / 3003 / 5052 Custom Cut Available RoHS Compliant 0.3–3.0mm Thickness