Questions on preserving a memory in metal

A ChromaLuxe metal print is an image fused directly into the surface of a coated aluminium panel through heat and pressure — a process called dye sublimation. The dye becomes part of the metal itself, not a layer on top. The result is a frameless, luminous artwork with exceptional colour depth, no glass required, and a surface far more durable than any photographic paper — a luxury heirloom made to be lived with, and passed on.

The image is printed onto a special transfer paper using Epson UltraChrome DS dye-sublimation inks. Under intense heat and pressure, the dyes convert to a gas and permanently bond with the polymer coating on the aluminium panel. Once cooled, the dyes are sealed inside the surface — they cannot be scratched off, peeled away, or damaged by light handling.

Inside it. That is the defining characteristic of dye sublimation on ChromaLuxe. The image is not a print applied over the metal — it is embedded within the coated surface at a molecular level. This is why the finish has a luminous, almost three-dimensional quality, and why it requires no glass, laminate, or protective film.

Each medium ages differently. Paper and canvas prints rest on organic substrates that absorb moisture, expand, contract, and degrade — even archival versions soften over decades and require frames and controlled conditions. Acrylic face-mounts improve stability slightly, but still rely on a photographic paper substrate beneath them. ChromaLuxe on aluminium is inorganic, dimensionally stable, and requires no glass, no frame, and no special environment. Independent permanence testing by Wilhelm Imaging Research rates ChromaLuxe at 65 years before noticeable fading under demanding display conditions — more than three times longer than traditional silver-halide prints framed under glass.

No. Wilhelm Imaging Research tested ChromaLuxe both displayed openly and framed under glass, and found that placing it behind glass had virtually no effect on the permanence results. ChromaLuxe is designed to be displayed without framing and without glass — which is why the frameless format is the standard, not a design choice. Source: Wilhelm Imaging Research — ChromaLuxe Coated Aluminum Photo Panels Printed With Epson UltraChrome DS Inks, June 2017. Full report available at wilhelm-research.com.

ChromaLuxe metal prints printed with Epson UltraChrome DS inks have been independently tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research — the global authority on print permanence — and received a Display Permanence Rating of 65 years. This represents the number of years before any noticeable fading or colour shift occurs, measured at 450 lux for 12 hours per day. Homes are typically illuminated at 150–300 lux, which means a piece displayed in normal domestic conditions is expected to last well beyond the rated 65 years. Wilhelm Imaging Research also notes that under normal lighting conditions, ChromaLuxe metal prints are expected to last more than 100 years — long enough to become a true heirloom, held by hands not yet born. Source: Wilhelm Imaging Research — ChromaLuxe Coated Aluminum Photo Panels Printed With Epson UltraChrome DS Inks, June 2017. Full report available at wilhelm-research.com.

The 65-year figure is a Wilhelm Imaging Research Display Permanence Rating — the industry standard for measuring how long a print lasts before any fading or colour change becomes visible to the naked eye, when compared side by side with a newly printed version. The test is conducted at 450 lux for 12 hours per day — a more demanding standard than many manufacturers use. Kodak, for example, bases its display-life calculations on 120 lux — less than a third of the WIR standard — which is why some competitor claims appear higher. WIR's methodology is the de facto standard across the imaging industry. At the 65-year point under WIR testing conditions, a careful comparison with a brand-new print might reveal subtle differences. Under typical home lighting — well below 450 lux — no such comparison would be meaningful for far longer.

The testing was performed by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. (WIR) — an independent laboratory founded by Henry Wilhelm, whose methodology has become the de facto standard used across the entire imaging industry. WIR has no commercial relationship with ChromaLuxe or Aureum. The full report — ChromaLuxe Coated Aluminum Photo Panels Printed With Epson UltraChrome DS Inks, dated June 8, 2017 — is publicly available at wilhelm-research.com. The data cited by Aureum is drawn directly and unaltered from that published report.

Under identical Wilhelm Imaging Research testing parameters, Kodak Endura silver-halide prints — the benchmark for traditional professional photography — framed under glass achieve a Display Permanence Rating of 19 years. ChromaLuxe displayed openly, without any glass or frame, achieves 65 years. That is more than three times the permanence of a traditionally framed professional print, with no frame required. Source: Wilhelm Imaging Research, June 2017. Kodak Endura Display Permanence Rating: 19 years framed under glass. ChromaLuxe Gloss White with Epson UltraChrome DS inks: 65 years, displayed without glass.

No special precautions are required. The 65-year permanence rating is measured at 450 lux for 12 hours per day — a level more intense than most domestic environments. Typical homes illuminate at 150–300 lux. This means a piece displayed in normal domestic conditions will last longer than the rated 65 years. ChromaLuxe does not require low-light conditions, UV-filtering glass, or any protective measures. Display it where it feels right.

Yes. Wilhelm Imaging Research rated ChromaLuxe as having very high resistance to both water and high humidity. The surface is also highly resistant to ozone — a common cause of premature fading in traditional unframed prints. For everyday care, the surface can be gently wiped with a soft dry cloth. No chemical cleaning agents are needed or recommended. Source: Wilhelm Imaging Research, June 2017. Water resistance rated 'very high'. Humidity resistance rated 'very high'. Ozone resistance rated 'very high'.

Every commission begins with a conversation — by phone, WhatsApp, or email. We discuss the moment you wish to preserve, the image or setting, the size, and where the piece will live. From there, Aureum curates and prepares the image, commissions production on ChromaLuxe aluminium, and delivers the finished piece personally by white-glove delivery in Athens. Each commission is unique — a single piece, produced once, for one person. Not a product, but a luxury heirloom carrying a memory you were not ready to lose.

Almost any image can form the basis of a commission — personal photographs, images from a professional photographic session we arrange, or digitally created artwork. We work with whatever you bring and, where the source material requires it, apply professional enhancement and preparation to ensure the final piece meets the standard the medium demands. We will advise you honestly at the outset about what is achievable from your image. Image rights are handled with the appropriate documentation as a matter of course — we guide every client through this without exception.

Yes. Aureum can arrange a professional photographic session as part of the commission — for portraits, interiors, vehicles, events, or any subject worth preserving. We coordinate everything. A session can also be paired with professional image editing or bespoke image creation where required. All services are quoted and agreed transparently before any commitment is made.

From the first conversation to white-glove delivery, a standard commission is completed within a fortnight. Commissions involving a photographic session or extensive image preparation may require additional time, which is always confirmed in advance.

Every Aureum piece is priced individually, based on size, format, and any creative services involved — photography, editing, or bespoke image creation. We provide a clear, transparent quotation during your first conversation — before any commitment is made.

Yes. Every Aureum commission is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity — hand-signed and sealed — confirming the title, medium, dimensions, and the unique status of the piece. The certificate is produced on archival-quality paper and presented with the piece as part of the delivery — the quiet assurance that accompanies every luxury heirloom.

ChromaLuxe requires very little maintenance. To clean the surface, use a soft dry cloth — microfibre is ideal. Avoid chemical cleaning agents, solvents, or abrasive materials of any kind. When handling the piece, hold it by its edges rather than touching the face. Keep it away from prolonged direct heat sources. No humidity control, UV filtering, or special environment is required.

Each Aureum piece is mounted using a handcrafted 4-Way French Cleat Hanging System. A custom metal bar frame — engineered to the specific dimensions of your piece — is attached to the back of the panel, adding structural rigidity while remaining entirely invisible from the front. The system offers four hanging configurations: horizontal, vertical, and both orientations in reverse — accommodating any wall layout or display preference. When installed, the piece sits away from the wall with a clean floating appearance and no visible fixings.

Aureum is based in Athens, Greece, and offers personal white-glove delivery throughout the city. Every piece is delivered by hand, by appointment — no courier, no packaging damage, no surprises. We handle every commission with full confidentiality and discretion.