Dye sublimation printers offer you high-efficiency, high-resolution printing through a process that uses heat to transfer dye to your chosen medium. They give you the freedom to print on surfaces including paper, plastic, and 100% polyester fabric, and are ideal for consistently reproducing crystal-clear text and vivid images at fast speeds. Options include portable and desktop models, making them ideal for professional printing and personal tasks.

What Are the Benefits of Dye Sub and Thermal Printers?

Dye sublimation photo printers or thermal photo printers penetrate a rigid substrate or fabric, rather than depositing ink on the surface, thereby achieving long-lasting results. They're perfect for printing receipts that won't fade, or for rendering fabric transfers that won't peel or crack when washed.

They can produce monochrome or color results, and glossy or matte finishes in sizes ranging from 2 x 3 inches to larger formats. These high-speed printers enable you to capture every detail, and they print from edge to edge.

Many models also offer multiple ways to connect, including USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

Print Technology Behind Dye Sublimation Printers

A printer's resolution output depends partly on the dpi or printed dots per inch, and technically represents the ppi or pixels per inch of printed material. While all styles deliver high-resolution, 300 x 300 dpi on most versions, including portable photo printers and larger desktop varieties, dpi can range from 300 x 300 dpi to 4800 dpi on a 6 x 24 inch photo. Printer technology options include:

Thermal Inkjet

Sometimes referred to as bubble jet printers, inkjet printers that use thermal energy to apply ink offer a cost-effective choice for achieving rapid, crystal clear results on a myriad of surfaces.

Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation, the process of using heat to embed content rather than applying it to a surface, enables long-lasting outcomes on everything from T-shirts to ceramic tiles.

Direct Thermal Printing

A preferred technology for printing receipts, direct thermal printing employs heat-sensitive paper that blackens as it passes under the printhead. As this printer operates without the use of a ribbon, it gives you a more cost-effective option than thermal transfer models; however, it's more sensitive to light.

Thermal Transfer

Optimal for printing items like barcodes, thermal transfer technology melts a ribbon with a thermal printhead to produce visual content that resists fading.

Zink

Offering the perfect combination of high-resolution and portability, Zink delivers full-color printing without requiring ink cartridges. Instead, it uses heat to activate color crystals within Zink paper.

Dye sublimation printers and thermal printers give you professional-quality printouts in record time. Check out the many options of dye sub printers and accessories available at B&H Photo and Video, and capture every detail.