Dye Sublimation Printer (DSP) or Dye-Sub Printer is a type of digital printing machine. It uses a high-quality printing method and lower production costs. DSP offers high-quality images and is popular in textile printing, packaging, and label printing.
A Dye Sublimation Printer can print any image with the use of various inks. It is safe, low-cost, and reusable, so you do not need to buy new ink every time you want a new design. The print head on a DSP produces images with high resolution. This process produces detailed as well as realistic designs.
How to Choose the Best Dye Sublimation Printer?
Size
A Dye Sublimation Printer can print in sizes of 8.5″x11″, 8.5″x14″, 11″x17″, and 13″x19″. The larger ones can print on sublimation paper rolls with widths of 24″, 36″, 42″, 44″, 64″, and 104″.
Ink
The process for dye sublimation uses a specific ink called disperse dyes or dye-sub inks. When a Sublimation Printer transfers graphics from paper to fabric, the ink goes from a solid to a gas state.
Cost
A DSP is suitable for home and professional use and costs about $300 for a simple model. The high-end one can cost around $600. Larger printers used for mass production can cost up to $10,000.
Colors
Choose your printer based on the quality of your prints. The DSP printing colors are blue, magenta, yellow, black, light blue, and light magenta. All of them make sharp as well as clear digital images on special DSP-friendly paper.
What Material can You Sublimate On?
A DSP is ideal for printing on polyester as well as polyester blend clothes. The image will not be as persistent on other materials like cotton and silk. DSP printing on them is thus, not advisable.
How Long does Sublimation Ink Last?
A sublimation ink used by a DSP has a shelf life. Color shifting, head clogs, and banding can occur if you leave it unused for long. It is advisable to change the cartridge within six months of installing the ink. Printing past the use-by date is fine, but it may cause printing issues within a short period. Read our blog and know everything about inkjet printers in detail.
Is a Sublimation Printer Worth It?
Sublimation printing is an efficient and quick method of printing on fabrics. This process has been popular due to its low production costs and quick results. Although popular the process causes environmental deficits with the printing paper it uses. These papers come from trees causing an environmental imbalance and it is not recommended as a long-term solution.
How Much is a Dye Sublimation Printer?
A Dye Sublimation Printer can cost between $300 for a small home model to $600 or more for an advanced model. A commercial-grade DSP can cost up to $10,000.
Buy the Best Dye Sublimation Printer
We have a list of reliable printer brands that deliver quality products and satisfactory services.
Epson WorkForce WF-3520
The reviews of Epson WorkForce WF-3520 are positive because of its great price. It contains a 2.5-inch LCD display and a touch panel, making it simple to use. It has both wired and wireless connectivity, making it easy to connect. This printer has a 250-sheet paper capacity. It has 40% lower printing costs as compared to color laser printers.
Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer
The Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Portable Printer is a small and elegant portable printer designed for professionals to use at home, in the office, and on the move. These printer is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in bags and backpacks. It comes with a 1.44-inch OLED screen. The Pixma TR150 makes printing convenient at any time and from any location.
Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer
The Brother HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer has a high tray capacity that takes up to 250 pages conveniently. It features a USB 2.0 port that enables local connectivity. It has a manual feed slot for printing envelopes. The print speed is 30 parts per million.
DNP QW410 Dye-Sublimation Printer
The DNP QW410 Dye-Sublimation Printer employs a proprietary 4.5-inch print head to allow consumers to now print 16:9 wide-ratio photos. As per the reviews, it ranks among the most compact and lightest printers available in the global market today. The QW410 is equipped with an innovative mechanism that reduces the curl of the print, even while maintaining a smaller, compact footprint.
Mitsubishi Compact Digital Dye Sublimation Thermal Photo Printer
The Mitsubishi Thermal Photo Printer shows that it has an ultrafine matte finish feature that creates high-resolution, studio-quality, matte-finish photos on-site or in the studio. It is lightning fast which creates a 4×6-inch high-quality photo print in only 8.4 seconds. The printer’s efficiency is increased with a unique cooling system that helps regulate the temperature of the print head and the internal power supply.
Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S Dye-Sublimation Printer
The Mitsubishi CP-K60DW-S Dye Sub Photo Printer is a compact and lightweight dye-sublimation printer. It requires minimal installation space and also incorporates the latest developments for the generation of high-resolution prints. This printer can automatically switch between 4×6″ and 6×8″ prints without any need to exchange the paper roll or ink ribbon.
You can visit our blog with tips on how to buy suitable inkjet printers that will help you choose the best printer.
Conclusion
Dye-sublimation printing is no more a complex and expensive process. The market has grown with more options and the equipment costs have dropped. Technology has also advanced, making the sublimation process easier. Today, you can find better printing quality at an affordable cost. Read our blog on the best inkjet printers and know about all the best inkjet printers in 2025.
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