For printing on traditional 8½ x 11 printer paper, most
organizations prefer inkjet or laser printer technology. However, in many
situations those types of printers just aren’t logical or convenient, which is
why they turn to dye sublimation printing for their needs.
How Dye Sublimation Printing Works
Dye sublimation, also referred to as dye-sub printing,
involves printing on a range of substrates or materials like paper, fabric,
metal, and ceramic using heat transfer technology.
To use a dye-sub printer, you’ll first print graphics and
text onto special heat-transfer paper, then apply the printed design to your
substrate, adding heat to bond the design in place. Some dye-sub printers
perform best on flat substrates, while others can print on curved objects and
materials.
Dye-sub printing is effective for creating long-lasting
printed materials, because the heating process creates a permanent bond between
the heat-activated ink and the substrate surface.
Dye Sub Photo Printing
Many professional photo printing businesses prefer dye-sub
printing over inkjet printing because it produces a much more resilient
photograph. Instead of using ink that sits on top of the paper’s surface, the
dye-sub process embeds and diffuses colored dyes into the photographic paper. With
dye-sub technology, you can produce prints more quickly that will dry
instantly, at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing the Right Dye Sub Supplies
To achieve high-quality dye-sub printing in your home,
organization, or business, you’ll need a dye-sub printer as well as the correct
thermal ribbons and transfer paper designed to suit your printer’s heat
temperatures and ink formulas. Make sure to double-check dye-sub and
thermal-ribbon supplies against your dye-sub printer model for compatibility.
Variations in Thermal Ribbons and Paper
Thermal ribbons and heat-transfer papers come in many
different widths depending on your printer, and on the size of substrate you
plan to use. Options range from 2 inches wide up to 64 inches wide, so you have
plenty of choices for any project.
Multi-packs and Dye Sub Printer Kits
Whether you’re using a compact dye-sub photo printer or a
large-scale printer for commercial use, you can save money and ensure
compatibility amongst your materials when you buy kits and multipacks.
Quality Brands for Dye Sub Supplies and Thermal Ribbons
Mitsubishi,
Canon,
DNP,
Oki
Data, and HiTi
are among the most reputable brands for dye-sublimation printing supplies. Get
started with dye-sub printing by relying on pro-grade offerings by these industry
leaders.
