Placing pleasing patterns
Imagine it, dip it: Cobra Imaging co-owner Alan Oates dips a gun stock into the water transfer imaging process tank.
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Updated: November 04, 2009 12:18 AM
An ordinary dashboard becomes a dashboard with a burlwood finish. A plain rifle stock becomes a rifle with a camouflage pattern.
Cobra Imaging is in the business of transformations. Through what’s called water transfer imaging, this Salmon Arm business gives new looks to objects big and small. The process involves transferring ink patterns or designs to two- and three-dimensional objects by dipping them into water.
Co-owner Alan Oates explains that more than 100 patterns are readily available, with an additional 3,000 prints available from Asia.
He said customers visit the Cobra Imaging website and choose the pattern they’d like to have placed on an object. They then submit the request along with the object’s dimensions, base colour and pattern.
Once the object comes into the business, it’s prepped, primed and base-coated. Then a thin film is laid on top of a water tank and the object is dipped through the film into the water. The film wraps tightly around the object.
Once dry, three coats of automotive urethane are applied.
Oates says every job is unique.
“If you were to bring me a rifle stock and were to pick the same film as someone else, your rifle stock would still be unique. We can’t guarantee a leaf or a branch will be in the same place.”
As far as outdoor objects that come in, he says rifle stocks are the most common.
“Some of them choose camouflages for where they’re going to go hunting... We did a full rifle for a guy up north - it’s predominantly white. He goes hunting in the snow. It’s white with green leaves.”
Oates and co-owner Trevor Spalding are both former employes of Coe Newnes-McGehee. From there they moved to Twin Anchors and have now formed their own business.
Cobra Imaging is located in the former Smart Imprinting building at 285-5th St. SW. The owners can also be contacted via their website: www.cobraimaging.com.
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