What is Chromaluxe?

Chromaluxe is a premium brand of high definition coated aluminium panels, designed to be used with the process of dye-sublimation to recreate stunning art and photography.

 

The process of dye-sublimation starts with the printing of a mirrored digital image onto dye-sublimation transfer paper, using large-format inkjet printers. The dye-based inks are then transferred onto the specially coated surface of the Chromaluxe panel, using high pressure and temperature. The result is a stunning vibrant and durable image, unrivalled by other printing methods and given that the coated aluminium panels are just 1.14mm thick, they give a new meaning to minimalism.

 

The durability of the printed panels comes from the fact that there is no live ink sitting on the surface of the panel for it to be scratched of rubbed. Instead, the ink infuses with the coating during the transfer process where the solid state of the ink is turned into a gas, bonding with the polymers of the coating on the panel before turning back into a solid as the panel cools. The remarkable process provides a combination of durability and archival properties.

Why use Chromaluxe?
Why use Chromaluxe?

Chromaluxe is a product that really needs to be seen to be believed and can provide stunning results for a wealth of different genres of both art and photography. With an unrivalled colour intensity and vibrancy, it can be the ideal solution for contemporary art. Chromaluxe is not limited to colour-rich imagery as the depths of black are also unrivalled giving black & white images a degree of contrast that is just not available with other production methods.

 

Our Chromaluxe prints are available to a size of 40×30” (101 x 76cm) and in two different finishes – high gloss and matt, and given that the panels are aluminium and therefore do not rust, are also suitable to be hung outside.

 

Unlike some of our competitions, we import Chromaluxe in large 8×4’ sheets to be cut on our in-house Biessse CNC machine which gives us the ability to offer more than just the square and rectangle panels of those competitors. We are able to shape, drill and layer Chromaluxe to create three-dimensional pieces to take art to a new level and will be delighted to collaborate with you to make your design ideas a reality.

Multi-panel concepts
Multi-panel concepts

The only size limitation we have is determined by the platen of the heat press. At 40 x 30” (101 x 76cm) we are unable to sublimate a panel larger than this. However, one way around this is to use multiple panels displayed with a small gap to create a show-stopping feature piece which can be limitless in size. The multiple panels can be produced as simple squares and rectangles or we are able to cut the Chromaluxe into a variety of different shapes, making a feature of the individual pieces to create an overall piece of art. As long as no piece is larger than the platen size, anything is possible!

 

It is possible for us to mount all of the pieces onto a back substrate to create a single piece to hang rather than the complexity of trying to hang all of the individual pieces onsite.

Hanging & Framing
Hanging & Framing

There are number of ways in which Chromaluxe panels can be hung or displayed:

Hanging:
Hanging:

The simplest form is to continue the minimalist format of the panel and use a subframe to display the artwork. This is typically made from aluminium or MDF, bonded to the back of the panel and will house the hanging mechanism to attach to the wall. This subframe will be smaller than the overall panel rendering it invisible from view. It also has the added benefit of elevating the panel off the hanging wall, typically from 10-25mm depending on the chosen subframe, giving the panel a stunning floating effect.

Framing:

Another option is to frame the panel. Whilst this could be as simple as putting the panel straight into the frame, where the edges of the Chromaluxe panel are covered by the frame, we recommend making a feature of the minimalist nature of the 1.14mm panel by floating it in a tray frame.

 

Tray frames are traditionally used to display stretched canvases, but these can also be adapted to frame Chromaluxe panels in a contemporary way which mimics the minimalist nature of the panel. Typically, we would build a subframe which will be bonded to the back of the panel to a depth that will bring the face on the panel just under the height of the frame moulding. This subframe will be hidden from view, but will then be secured inside the tray frame with a gap around the panel of around 10mm, allowing the panel to float within the frame. Tray frame mouldings are available in a variety of colours and finishes from real wood veneers to brushed metals so that they complement the style of the artwork.

 

Diagram of a Chromaluxe panel in a tray frame

Photo of aluminium sub frame

Photo of tray frame with Chomaluxe panel (rendered?)

Case Studies
Take a look at our latest projects that we have been working on
Kimpton Fitzroy, London
Kimpton Fitzroy, London

In 2018, the Russell Hotel reopened as The Principal London after an extensive renovation, for which we produced more than 1600 frames of various sizes and framing styles for guest rooms, corridors, public spaces, and its famous Neptune restaurant, said to be almost identical to the RMS Titanic’s dining room. In same year, the Principal Hotel Company sold 12 hotels in its portfolio (including The Principal London), and the hotel was renamed the Kimpton London, an event that prompted a revision of all guestrooms’ artworks. This involved on-site work, where we were tasked to go inside all guest rooms, remove existing frames, swap the artwork, and put the frames back. The job was completed in less than four weeks, while we maintained highest quality and efficiency, during which the hotel remained open throughout.

 

We recognise that, sometimes, high volume jobs may require a different approach and to work alongside a wider group of people while representing our clients. We are committed and confident to offer our framing expertise not only confined to our production facilities, but also to whichever place the artistic vision demands it.

Principal Hotel, Manchester
Principal Hotel, Manchester

For almost a decade, one of the most prestigious and expensive buildings in Manchester was laying empty, until being converted into a hotel in 1996. Twenty-three years later, The Principal hotel was refurbished, and we were tasked by our client to carry out the re-framing project. We were required to work on-site, remove existing frames from each guestroom, swap the artwork, and reinstall the frames. It was a significant undertaking given the fact that the frames, almost 1100 in total, were mostly large but also within a very short timescale.

 

Not only were we successful, working with the hotel’s management and staff to seamlessly replace all artwork while the hotel was still running, but we also undertook additional unplanned work restoring damaged old frames by cleaning and reinforcing them, which ultimately resulted in the additional scope of over 150 frames for public areas.

QO, Amsterdam
QO, Amsterdam

A budget-led project of over 800 frames requiring us to print and frame for all of the bathrooms within the hotel.

Ritz-Carlton Astansa, Kazakhstan
Ritz-Carlton Astansa, Kazakhstan

Another sizeable project consisting of over 1500 frames for all the guest rooms and public areas. This project used the full extent of our production capabilities to include printing and framing of canvas artwork, to the high-end framing of signed Picasso prints.

 

The project had a crucial deadline of 6 weeks, and as always, we delivered right on time, ready for the installation team in Kazakhstan.

25 Hours Hotel Paris
25 Hours Hotel Paris

This project had several phases, each with different framing and timescale requirements, and remained active for over a year. During that time, we maintained close cooperation with our client, offering day-to-day framing solutions to ever-evolving décor requirements producing 900 frames for the guestrooms and restaurant spaces. 

 

Our mission is to remain dedicated until the very last frame, which is why we were committed to produce the last 72 bespoke high-end frames and transport them from UK to France in under four days. Consequently, the hotel’s restaurant went on to be elected as the best designed restaurant in Europe 2019, by AHEAD – the Awards for Hospitality, Experience and Design. 

Rosewood, Guangzhou
Rosewood, Guangzhou

The 5-star 251 room hotel Guangzhou Rosewood Hotel in China was a major single-phase project, incorporating all the guest rooms with a further seven restaurant and lounge areas. In total, around 1600 pieces were made, including 3x3m feature canvases all of which had to be safely crated ready for shipping, adhering to Chinese import conditions. Artwork was acquired from across the world from Australia to the United States with Ultimat handling the import administration throughout.

As a result, in a single shipment, over 20 crates were delivered on time by air-freight, with every piece of work received in perfect condition and all to the exact specification and it was this precision and accountability to which we worked that secured future work with this client.

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, France
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, France

A project of 150 individually styled frames. This was a fast-paced production process from the point of quotation to manufacturing and delivery. Each phase lasted less than a week, requiring precision and careful pre-planning. Despite the tight deadlines, everything was delivered on time and installed ready for the launch of the hotel.

Mandarin Hotel, London
Mandarin Hotel, London

We are proud to have been involved in the most extensive renovation of one of the grandest London’s hotels in its 115 years-long history, by producing around 200 frames for majestic public areas and a fully renovated spa centre. We were tasked to frame some of the most intricate antique pieces and works of art from all over the world, all exclusively done in conservation-grade materials, and to the highest quality.

 

Unfortunately, in June 2018, a fire broke out which was mainly confined to the exterior courtyard area of the hotel with some impact on the interiors, all of which was decorated with our frames. We were tasked again, this time to receive over 50 frames that were damaged by fire, closely inspect and recover the artwork, and re-frame them to the original specification.

Sky View, Dubai
Sky View, Dubai

One of the most technically challenging projects, that required the bespoke framing of 150 original artworks and objects – from limited prints, canvas paintings, to paper and textile sculptures, designated for decorating public areas in a newly built hotel in Dubai – All exclusively manufactured in conservation-grade materials, and to the highest quality. We were tasked with receiving the artwork and various objects from all over the world, closely inspect each piece upon its arrival for any potential transport-related damage, preparing it, and suggesting the best framing solutions in accordance with the art direction.
Although, the guestroom pieces were done by local framers in Dubai, we were chosen for the public areas, not only because we could deliver the budget, but because we were technically capable of offering solutions for the framing of artworks with values totalling many hundreds of thousands of US Dollars. With decades of experience our mission has always been to maintain the highest level of production and quality control.

The Reach, Piccadilly, Manchester
The Reach, Piccadilly, Manchester

As one of the Tribute Portfolio hotels, within the Mariott Group, The Reach in Manchester was all about providing stunning feature pieces to the communal areas of this boutique hotel. The foundations of the Tribute Portfolio hotels are that whilst they part of a wider group, each is treated independently with its own character and history.
The Reach was adorned with a spectacular 2.4 x 3m multi-panel glass artwork. Whilst our client had an overview concept, in order to achieve sign-off, we produced 3D renders with 180-degree walk-around so that the client had a complete understanding of what this unique piece of work would look like. Additional pieces were manufactured including a 5m x 2.4m acrylic map of the area with embedded magnets allowing guests to mark local restaurants and attractions along with hand-written reviews for other guests to enjoy.
With a VIP event imminent and with the building works falling behind, we were given a 48 hour window in which to install these specialist pieces alongside restaurant and bar artworks, all of which was delivered and carried out on time allowing for a very happy group of investors!

Sky View
Sky View

One of the most technically challenging projects, that required the bespoke framing of 150 original artworks and objects – from limited prints, canvas paintings, to paper and textile sculptures, designated for decorating public areas in a newly built hotel in Dubai – All exclusively manufactured in conservation-grade materials, and to the highest quality. We were tasked with receiving the artwork and various objects from all over the world, closely inspect each piece upon its arrival for any potential transport-related damage, preparing it, and suggesting the best framing solutions in accordance with the art direction.

Although, the guestroom pieces were done by local framers in Dubai, we were chosen for the public areas, not only because we could deliver the budget, but because we were technically capable of offering solutions for the framing of artworks with values totalling many hundreds of thousands of US Dollars. With decades of experience our mission has always been to maintain the highest level of production and quality control.

Celebrity Cruise Liner
Celebrity Cruise Liner

We are currently involved in the decoration of the new Edge class of Celebrity Cruise Ships. With the first ship completed in 2018, we are approaching completion on the next ship within the Edge Class for Celebrity, to be christened Apex. The project continues into 2022 with a further two ships already booked for construction!

With around 4000 pieces of artwork filling the cabins, corridors, restaurants and bars, the logistics are huge and complex. Along with a manufacturing partner, we delivered on time, crating all of the artwork on-site and delivering to Barcelona, Spain ready for the installation process to begin. Labelling was critical with this type of project, and the labelling system employed ensured that each piece got to the right location without the need to be opened prior to installation. Furthermore, we created bespoke boxes for each and every piece in-house, knowing that there would be a significant amount for movement of the artwork prior to installation and we can happily report that not one single item arrived damaged.

 

 

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