Sublimation Printer

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Ever wondered how you could get all your photographs printed right at home, avoiding the hassle of online printing or going up to the photo lab? Then, the sublimation printer is definitely the answer to all your prayers!

A dye-sublimation printer can give you photo lab quality pictures right in the comfort of your home. Unlike images constructed with pixel dots, the sublimation printer produces images that display a continuous tone overlaid with differing dye colors. Dye sublimation printers can be slightly more expensive to purchase and operate, as they also require special quality paper to get an output of the highest quality.

What sets this printer apart from other ink based printers is that the dye sublimation printer uses a dye instead of ink. Sublimation is the process that converts solid dry particles directly into gas using heat and pressure. The gas bonds with the polymers present in the special dye receptive paper and changes back into the solid state. The color change that occurs is permanent.

Dye sublimation printing can also be used to print on polyester and other synthetic fabrics to print on T shirts, flags, table covers and banners. The reverse image of the final design is first printed to a paper using a dye sublimation printer. This paper is referred to as a transfer. The transfer paper is then pressed onto the cloth and then heated at a temperature of 400 degrees. This method is obviously possible only on surfaces that can handle such a temperature. You can also use a laser printer for this method, although you have to use it with a sublimation toner print cartridge.

This printing method can be extended to 3 dimensional objects like mugs and T-shirts and for making gifting options like wine boxes and plaques. Sublimation printing is made possible on a variety of surfaces like paper, wood, plastics, mugs and metals although the surfaces must contain 65 % polyester. You can coat the surfaces with a special layer of polyester using commercially available sprays, prep sheets or fabric enhancers. Specially shaped heat presses are also available to press t-shirts, caps, mugs, plates and other surfaces.

An exciting development in this field is the Fujifilm’s radical 3D sublimation printer, expected to be launched in April 2010. In 2009, Fujifilm had launched the world’s first 3D point and shoot cameras that allowed users to capture and view 3D images without using 3D glasses. Users currently have to order their 3D photos online, after which they are printed in Japan. The whole process generally takes a few weeks. The new 3D print system is expected to replace this entire process, giving users the flexibility of printing their 3D photos right in the comfort of their homes.
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So don’t you think it is about time you got yourself a sublimation printer?