Dye Sublimation Printer Allows Photo Lab Quality Printing
by Mike Thomas on Feb.23, 2010, under Computers
With many digital cameras now, taking photos is now as very fun and easy. But printing really stunning photos are not as easy or fun. Almost all of us would just turn to the photo labs to have our pictures developed. Sure, you could print your pictures from an inkjet printer, but the quality of the photo is sometimes compromised due to the limitations of inkjet printers. A dye sublimation printer can churn out pictures that are as good as the film-based photos that we were once so accustomed to.
Dye sublimation printing was once reserved only for graphic professionals looking for exceptional photo prints. Printing with dye sublimation was once truly expensive. Every printing job must be done in bulk quantities. Printing just one page is really impractical since the processes that were once involved were ridiculously expensive. Today however, dye sub prints are much more affordable. Some models are even desktop sized. To learn more about dye sublimation, here is a little bit of history.
In 1957, the process of dye sublimation was discovered by a French man, Noel de Plasse. He noticed that solid dyes can turn directly into gas when the temperature reaches above 190 degrees Celsius. In the 1980’s, electrostatic sublimation was developed but costs were still prohibitive. With greater technological leaps, dye sublimation has moved from its professional roots into the desktop territory.
Photorealistic prints are the forte of a dye sublimation printer. Now with desktop dye sub printers, photo quality prints are now quite affordable. Printing one page is also more cost effective now, making it much more versatile. As the printers have gone down in size, some of them have also gone down in price. The once unheard-of price rivalries between inkjets and dye sub printers are now much more commonplace in the busy I. T. Market.
While inkjet printers squirt ink unto paper, dye sublimation printers use an entirely different method. They have small heaters to make the dye sublimate and permeate the paper. This action transfers the pigments to the paper. With the paper infused with colors, it is then given a clear protective coating to prevent it from being damaged by ultra violet light.
Special paper is needed to print with dye sublimation printers. Though this might seem like a limiting factor, the specialized paper is really what makes dye sublimation prints stand out. Usually, the transfer films are included with the paper packs. It has all the dyes to create a full color image. The dyes are meant to be used only once, so you can’t use the same film to print other pages.
Dye sub printers produce way better prints than inkjets. For one thing, you won’t see dots even when looking very closely. The colors also blend smoothly with each other. Detail is also very exceptional, with no smudging on dark colors and shadow areas. Also, while inkjet photos blot when wet, dye sub printed photographs can resist water spills.
With a dye sublimation printer, your digital pictures would look much more realistic than other types of printers. The colors all blend naturally, leaving no traces of dots or signs of pixilation. Because dye sub printing heats the colors, it penetrates the surface of the paper, leaving a secure hold. This ensures that the paper. And with a clear protective coating, your prints on the paper will be much more durable. With the coating, the pictures you printed will surely not fade as time goes by.
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