Custom metal printing finishes designed for product differentiation
AZZ Precoat Metals delivers advanced printing solutions that apply decorative patterns, textures, and specialty finishes during the coil coating process before fabrication.
These precision metal printing processes help create visually distinctive products while maintaining the durability, consistency, and performance expected from high-quality coil-coated metal.
Combining advanced coating expertise with innovative printing technologies allows for efficient, accurate application of patterns, graphics, and decorative effects across a broad range of industries and applications. From subtle textures and natural look finishes to bold visual designs and branded applications, printed finishes help elevate product appearance and support market differentiation.
Metal printing solutions can enhance products through:
Decorative patterns and graphics
Natural-look and textured finishes
Custom visual effects
Enhanced product differentiation
Consistent surface appearance
Durable long-term performance
These capabilities allow customers to combine decorative impact with the durability, consistency, and efficiency expected from high-quality coil-coated products. Custom metal printing capabilities within AZZ Precoat Metals’ coil coating and processing operations help create visually distinctive products with durable finishes, consistent appearance quality, and enhanced brand differentiation.
The coil coating process is one of the most advanced and efficient methods for applying protective and decorative coatings to steel and aluminum coils before fabrication. Operating in a continuous, highly controlled environment, the process delivers exceptional consistency, durability, operational efficiency, and long-term product performance across a wide range of industries and applications.
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What is coil coating
The coil coating process handles metal coils up to 72 inches wide at speeds approaching 700 feet per minute. Both sides of the metal are cleaned, treated, primed, top-coated, and cured before being recoiled for shipment and downstream manufacturing. This continuous automated coil processing helps ensure precise coating application, improved quality control, enhanced corrosion resistance, and consistent appearance retention from start to finish.
Compared to traditional post-paint methods, coil coating provides significant cost, quality, and environmental advantages. The process reduces waste, improves paint utilization, streamlines manufacturing workflows, and supports greater production efficiency while delivering durable, high-performance finishes.
Coil coating is also recognized as one of the industry’s most sustainable finishing methods, operating as a closed loop system with more than 98% VOC capture and conversion to fuel. In European markets, the finished product is commonly referred to as “prepainted” or “precoated” metal.
Entry End
Uncoiler
Metal coils, up to 60,000 pounds, are received and undergo visual inspection before moving to the uncoiler for unwinding.
Coil Stitch
At this stage, previous and next coil ends are mechanically joined, ensuring continuous feed in the coil coating line.
Entry Accumulator
The accumulator is a structure that adjusts up and down to store material, which makes continuous operation of the coil coating process possible. This accumulation will continue to feed the coil coating processes while the entry end has stopped for the stitching process. As much as 750 feet of metal can be collected.
Cleaning & Pretreating
The cleaning and pretreating section of the coil coating process focuses on preparing the metal for painting. During the cleaning stage, dirt, debris, and oils are removed from the metal strip. From there, the metal enters the pretreatment section and/or a chemical coater whereby chemicals are applied to facilitate paint adhesion and enhance corrosion resistance.
Dried-In-Place
In this stage a chemical that provides enhanced corrosion performance is applied. This treatment can be chrome free if required.
Prime Coat
During this stage, the strip enters the prime coat station whereby a primer is applied to the clean and treated metal. After the primer is applied, the metal strip travels through a thermal oven for curing. Primers are used to aid in paint adhesion, improve corrosion performance and enhance aesthetic and functional attributes of the topcoat.
S Wrap Coater
The S wrap coater design allows for primers and paints to be applied to the top and back side of the metal strip simultaneously in one continuous pass.
Topcoat
After the primer is applied and cured, then the metal strip enters the finish coat station where a topcoat is applied. Topcoats provide color, corrosion resistance, durability, flexibility and any other required physical properties. Like primers, the topcoat is cured using thermal cure ovens.
Oven
Coil coating ovens can range from 130 feet to 160 feet and will cure the coatings in 13 to 20 seconds.
Exit Accumulator
Like the Entry Accumulator, the Exit Accumulator adjusts up and down to store metal while the recoiler is unloading a completed coil.
Exit End (Recoiler)
Once the metal is cleaned, treated, and painted, the strip is rewound into a coil size prescribed by the customer. From there, the coil is removed from the line and packaged for shipment or additional processing.
Coatings and integrated processing for diverse applications
AZZ Precoat Metals provides advanced coil coating solutions engineered to support the broad performance, durability, and aesthetic requirements of today’s consumer and business product coating markets.
From decorative finishes and specialty textures to high-performance protective coatings, AZZ helps customers create products that combine long-term durability with enhanced visual appeal.
A wide range of stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel substrates can be processed with coating systems and film laminates designed for both decorative and functional applications. Whether supporting consumer goods, commercial equipment, architectural systems, or industrial applications, AZZ Precoat Metals delivers solutions tailored to evolving product demands and manufacturing requirements.
Integratedin-house processing services, innovative coating technologies, and responsive manufacturing support help customers improve operational efficiency while creating differentiated products that stand out in competitive markets.
Creating distinctive products through color, texture, and design
Advanced solutions including PCM Mimics™ and PCM Foundations™ provide manufacturers with enhanced design flexibility through:
Natural-look finishes
Decorative textures and patterns
Specialty visual effects
Durable protective surfaces
Enhanced appearance consistency
As North America’s leading independent provider of coil coating services, AZZ Precoat Metals combines technical expertise, operational flexibility, and integrated processing services to improve production efficiency, product performance, and long-term value across diverse business and consumer product coating applications
Business and consumer products coating applications
Furniture and fixtures
Household and outdoor furniture
Office furniture
Interior wall panels and enclosures
Fixtures and shelving
Ceiling products
Ceiling panels
Ceiling grid systems
Suspended ceiling systems
Lighting
Lighting fixtures
Ballasts and transformers
Electrical equipment
Motor laminations
Power and communications equipment
Electrical conduit and raceways
Window equipment
Venetian blinds
Window and drapery hardware, parts, and fittings
Machinery and equipment
Agricultural, construction, and industrial equipment
Sustainable and food-safe coatings for modern packaging applications
AZZ Precoat Metals delivers advanced coil coating solutions engineered to support the performance, durability, safety, and appearance requirements of today’s containers and packaging industry.
As North America’s leading independent provider of coil coating services, AZZ Precoat Metals applies decorative and functional coatings and film laminates to light gauge aluminum, tin mill products, and cold-rolled steel used across a wide range of packaging applications. Advanced coating technologies help manufacturers improve product protection, manufacturing efficiency, and visual appeal while supporting evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements.
Innovative PCM Foundations™ coating solutions include systems engineered to meet stringent FDA food- safe coating requirements associated with many food container and beverage can coating applications. These solutions help support safe, durable, and reliable packaging performance across demanding production environments.
As markets continue shifting toward recyclable materials and sustainable packaging solutions, AZZ Precoat Metals remains at the forefront of supporting increased use of recycled aluminum and advanced coated metal packaging systems. Coil coating technologies also help manufacturers improve operational efficiency through consistent finishes, streamlined production workflows, and reduced material waste.
Integrated in-house processing services, responsive manufacturing support, and broad manufacturing scale help customers navigate changing production demands, evolving packaging requirements, and increasingly competitive market conditions.
Certified coating expertise for demanding transportation applications
AZZ Precoat Metals delivers advanced coil coating solutions engineered to support the durability, corrosion resistance, appearance, and performance requirements of today’s transportation industry.
Transportation applications often require highly specialized coating systems across a broad range of aluminum and steel substrate types, widths, and gauges. Innovative PCM Xtremes™ and PCM Foundations™ coating systems help customers meet demanding operational, environmental, and performance expectations while maintaining long-term durability and appearance quality.
Advanced transportation coating technologies help improve:
Corrosion resistance
Weatherability
Surface durability
Appearance retention
Lightweight material performance
Long-term lifecycle value
Because transportation applications frequently require additional processing and highly specific material requirements, AZZ Precoat Metals supports the market through integrated in-house processing services including slitting, embossing, shape correction, and cut-to-length processing. These capabilities improve operational efficiency, production coordination, and manufacturing flexibility across complex transportation applications.
Multiple AZZ Precoat Metals facilities maintain IATF 16949:2016 certification, helping ensure the quality systems, manufacturing consistency, and operational standards required for demanding transportation and automotive coating applications.
As North America’s leading independent provider of coil coating services, AZZ Precoat Metals combines technical expertise, operational scale, and responsive support to help customers navigate evolving production requirements and market challenges.
