Updated: 2021-04-27
How does the dye sublimation photo printer work?
While inkjet printers have been around for many years, dye sublimation printers are a relatively new technology, and you may be wondering how they work. In a dye sublimation printer, a heat source transforms a solid ink into a gas, which the dye sublimation printer then converts into a liquid that is applied to your photo. The dye sublimation printer is then able to set this liquid, and you get a permanent and high-quality color print.
The dye sublimation printer copier is a great printer for your home office. It is easy to use with a one-button print. This printer is a great addition to your business. This kind of printer will also be a great gift to any friend or family member that is always printing out photos.
One of the most attractive features of the dye-sub photo printers is that the sublimation technology allows you to print stunning photos with a wide range of colors and on a variety of surfaces, including CD jackets, acrylic, metal, plastic, and glass. You can even print on fabric.
The process of dye sublimation photo printing
While dye-sub photo printers sound like a complicated printing process, they are actually very easy to use. But before we get to the how-to-use part, let’s talk about the two types of dye-sub photo printers, thermal head and piezoelectric.
Thermal dye transfer print
Thermal printers use a heating thermal print head to vaporize dye, which then becomes a gas and condenses on the cartridge paper. This generates a high quality image, but the problem with this method is that the ink can crack or fade over time.
Piezoelectric printers
Piezoelectric printers use a mechanical process to deliver the dye to the paper. The result is an image that is permanent, waterproof, and smudge-proof. The piezo electric sublimation printers combine the high quality of a dye sublimation with the high printing speeds of a digital print. This combo ensures that you receive the perfect piece every time.
Is sublimation print permanent?
Many print shops offer dye sub services to transfer images onto certain types of apparel and wide array of other items. While some people opt to use these services for their artistic or creative value, others do so for more practical reasons. The most common reason is because dye sub prints will not fade, unlike heat transfers, and they will not peel, crack, or bubble.
Dye sublimation photo printers vs Inkjet printers. When is sublimation printing better than inkjet?
Does sublimation printing always produce better results than inkjet printing using droplets of ink? The short answer is no, but the long answer is an interesting read. When it comes to color photo quality, sublimation printing can’t compete with inkjet technology. Inkjet ink is highly refined and the inks can be optimized for specific printing tasks.
For sublimation printing, on the other hand, you must use a thermal dye sublimation paper designed to work with a specific printer – and have it produced by the same printer manufacturer. Even then, the results can be less than perfect if the printer isn’t calibrated correctly, and the print can come out looking blurry, with a tendency towards color banding.
And when is Inkjet better than the dye sublimation printer?
If you are considering purchasing a printer for your business or in order to start a small business, you’ve likely come across these printer techniques and are wondering which one is best suited for your needs.
Cost per print is different. Inkjet prints are less expensive and easier to use, but they suffer from a loss of color, while the dye sublimation printers are more expensive and difficult to use, but they do not lose color.
While the idea of using a printer to create custom products may seem appealing, the process of dye sublimation can be messy and time consuming.
which type of printer will you choose?
The truth is that inkjet and dye sublimation both have their own ups and downs, and the right answer to the question “When is inkjet print better than sublimation?” will likely change depending on the situation.
For example, if you are a photographer looking to print a few physical copies of your work, then sublimation is probably the best option. However, if you want to print out a thousand copies of your book or album online, then an inkjet printer using drops of ink will be the better choice.
Can I simply convert my Old printer to Dye sublimation photo printer?
Yes you can, if you are lucky and you own the right printer. Is it easy? No it is not.
If you’re looking to convert your old printer to sublimation, it will require a bit of work. There are even kits available for converting old printers to sublimation models, allowing you to print your own custom T-shirts and other items. However, the printer you’re converting will not be able to produce the same hight-quality prints as a dedicated professional printer.
Dye sublimation printing on cotton
The dye sublimation process is the only method that provides a durable, long-lasting print on cotton. The print is permanent and has a soft feel and a brilliant color which will not fade. With the dye sub printer each layer is heated to a high temperature and then the substrate is cooled quickly to solidify and fix the dye to the surface.
The process is complex, but the end result can be spectacular. The inks used on sublimation printers are specially formulated to be resistant to fading, smudging, and water damage. This means your photos and graphics will look great for a very long time.
Dye sublimation printing on vinyl
The dye sublimation printer prints the image directly on the vinyl, so there is no need for ink or paper. You will not see any lines between colors or white spaces between the image and the text. The image will look more complete than other image transfer methods. Just like when printing on cotton fabric, also here you don’t have to worry about fading or smudging.
Dye sublimation vs moisture and temperature
While dye sublimation printers are known for their quality, they’re often plagued by a common problem: their prints tend to curl over time. While this issue may not be immediately visible, it can show up in the form of faded colors and blurred details, so it’s important to minimize the effects of moisture and dye sublimation to prevent future damage.
The humidity can affect your dye sub paper, so we need to choose the right paper to work with different humidity. The main reason for the effect of humidity on dye sublimation paper is moisture. If the moisture content is high, dyes in the paper will dissolve and seep out. If the moisture content is low, dyes in the paper will dry out and fade. The best dye sublimation paper should be able to reduce the moisture content in the air.
The temperature of the dye sublimation paper and the humidity have a direct relationship, when the humidity is low, the temperature of the sublimation paper is high, and vice versa.
How can we store dye sublimation ink cartridges to extend their service life?
Ink cartridges can actually last for a long time if you store them properly.
It’s no secret that ink is a consumable, and that means you’ll need to replace it from time to time.
Sublimation ink cartridges are made of a porous plastic and filled with a colored dye. The plastic is porous because it allows the ink to dry quicker and keeps the ink from eating away at the interior of the cartridge.
To prevent your dye sublimation cartridges from running completely dry, it’s important to fill them with dye sublimation ink as soon as you’re finished using them. In addition, it’s best to store them in a cool, dark place, and keep them away from other heat sources, such as hot radiators.
