What's the difference between a sublimation printer and a ink printer?

DNP DS820A Professional Sublimation Printer Bundle with Media

Unlock the Full Potential of Sublimation Printing with the DNP DS820A Professional Printer Bundle and Media Kit

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$1,358.00

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4.13 out of 5 stars

146 reviews

Description

The DNP DS820A Professional Sublimation Printer Bundle with Media is a high-quality printer package that includes all the tools and media needed to create vibrant and detailed sublimation prints. With fast printing speeds and excellent color accuracy, this printer is perfect for professionals looking to produce stunning images on a variety of substrates.

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The main difference between a sublimation printer and an inkjet printer lies in the type of ink and the printing process they employ:

1. Ink Type:
• Sublimation Printer: Uses sublimation ink, which is specially formulated to convert from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid state (sublimation). This process allows the ink to bond with polyester fibers and polymer coatings during heat transfer, resulting in vibrant and durable prints on materials like polyester fabrics and polymer-coated items.
• Inkjet Printer: Typically uses aqueous inks (water-based) or solvent-based inks. These inks are designed to be applied onto paper or other media and dry through evaporation or absorption into the substrate. They are not suitable for sublimation because they do not undergo the sublimation process required to bond with polyester fibers.
2. Printing Process:
• Sublimation Printer: Operates by heating the sublimation ink to a high temperature (usually around 350-400°F or 180-200°C) to turn it into a gas. This gas permeates the fibers of polyester materials or polymer coatings, creating a permanent, full-color print as it cools and solidifies.
• Inkjet Printer: Prints by depositing liquid ink droplets onto paper or other substrates. The ink adheres to the surface and dries through various methods depending on the ink type (evaporation, absorption, curing, etc.), resulting in a print on the surface of the substrate.
3. Applications:
• Sublimation Printer: Ideal for applications that require vibrant, full-color prints on polyester fabrics or items with polymer coatings, such as custom apparel (t-shirts, jerseys), promotional products (mugs, mousepads), and soft signage.
• Inkjet Printer: Suitable for a wide range of printing applications, including documents, photos, graphics on paper, and sometimes on specialty media like canvas or photo paper. It's versatile but not suitable for sublimation onto polyester or polymer-coated substrates.
4. Durability and Washability:
• Sublimation Printer: Provides durable prints that are resistant to fading and washing, as the ink becomes part of the substrate.
• Inkjet Printer: Print durability varies depending on the ink type and substrate. Pigment-based inks generally offer better durability than dye-based inks but may not match the wash-fastness of sublimation prints on appropriate substrates.

In summary, while both printers use inkjet technology, sublimation printers are specialized for printing on polyester fabrics and polymer-coated items using sublimation inks, which undergo a unique chemical process to achieve vibrant and durable prints. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are more versatile in terms of substrate compatibility but are not suitable for sublimation printing without specific ink and substrate combinations.