Video & Camera Equipment

Information Concerning Dye-Sublimation Printers

Dedicated photo printers differ from all-purpose printers as they are designed to print photos only, as opposed to text or graphics documents in addition to photos. They are generally compact in size and lightweight, and some models even feature batteries that allow you to print without the need for an outlet. Most photo printers, including dye-sublimation (or dye-sub) printers, are built around a thermal dye engine, though there are a few that feature inkjet technology.

For many years, dye-sublimation printers were specialist devices used in demanding graphic arts and photographic applications. The advent of digital photography led to the entry of this technology into the mainstream, forming the basis of many of the standalone, portable photo printers that surfaced in the second half of the 1990s.

The term “dye” in the name refers to the solid dyes that were used in the process instead of inks or toner. “Sublimation” is the scientific term for a process where solids (in this case, dyes) are converted into their gaseous form without going through an intervening liquid phase.

The printing process employed by true dye-sublimation printers differs from that of inkjets. Instead of spraying tiny jets of ink onto a page as inkjet printers do, dye-sublimation printers apply a dye from a plastic film.
A three-pass system (featuring solid dyes in tape form on either a ribbon or a roll) layers cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dyes on top of one another. The print head on a dye-sub printer uses tiny heaters to vapourise the dye, which permeates the glossy surface of the paper. A clear coat is added to protect the print against ultraviolet light. Although this method is capable of producing excellent results, it is far from economical. Even if a particular image does not need any one of the pigments, that ribbon segment is still consumed. This is the reason it is common for dye-sub printer compatible paper packs to contain a transfer film capable of producing the same number of prints. In addition, dye sublimation inks need a paper that allows the ink to remain on the surface of the paper.

Nowadays, a number of inkjet printers on the market are capable of deploying dye-sublimation techniques. The cartridges in such printers spray the ink, covering the page one strip at a time. The print head heats the inks to form a gas, controlled by a heating element that reaches temperatures of up to 500° C (higher than the average dye sublimation printer). A big difference in the results with dye-sublimation technique is that because the dyes are applied to the paper in gas form, they do not form distinct dots with a hard edge like inkjet printers. Instead, the edges are softer and blend into each other easily. Additionally, the infusion of the gaseous dye into the paper yields a more colour-fast picture.

Comparing Dye-Sublimation Printers and Inkjet Printers
Although it is difficult to point out every possible advantage and disadvantage when comparing inkjet and dye-sub printers, the following list mentions the major points that apply to most people printing photos at home.

Advantages of Inkjet Printers over Dye-Sub Printers:
·    Prints are very precise with sharp edges
·    Latest models offer incredible detail that exceeds most dye-sub printers
·    Variety of papers/surfaces available-including matte, luster, glossy.
·    Not locked in to one manufacturer’s paper
·    Some archival inkjets can produce prints that long-lasting
·    Most inkjets can print on many different surfaces that are designed to accept ink, including CDs, CD inserts, envelopes, etc.
·    Inkjets have a considerably larger colour gamut and usually produce more vivid photos than dye-subs
·    Easier to obtain large format inkjets that can print 11×14, 13×20 sizes, or larger
·    Inkjet printing is often cheaper than dye-sub printing

Inkjet Printer Disadvantages:
·    Often much slower than dye-sub printers
·    Most non-archival inkjets produce prints that fade a little (sometimes a lot) faster than dye-sub prints
·    Print heads sometimes clog and require cleaning, or even replacement
Advantages of Dye-Sub Printers over Inkjet Printers:
·    Very fast
·    Relatively maintenance-free
·    Smooth with no dot patterns visible, even under magnification
·    Produce excellent shadow detail in dark areas where some inkjets may be “blotchy”
·    Prints are usually more durable and more waterproof than inkjet prints
·    For many viewers, dye-sub printers produce photos that look and feel more like real photographs due to the smoothness of the prints and the absence of visible dot patterns
Dye-Sub Printer Disadvantages:
·    Consumer level models often smear high contrast edges (like a black square on a white background) to some degree, making charts, graphs, and line art look a little less “precise”
·    Dye-sub prints typically only last as long or slightly longer than a good non-archival inkjet printer and are generally not considered “archival”
·    Paper type selection is very limited and while dye-sub printers produce excellent glossy photos, most fall behind or do not even offer the option of matte prints
·    Dye-sub printers use an entire page and an entire page worth of ribbon even to print one small wallet size photo
·    Pages cannot be normally fed through the printer twice to fill more of the page as they can in inkjets
·    Dust can sometimes get inside and cause vertical scratches on prints
·    Dye sub printing and the cost of paper and toner (ribbon) is often higher than inkjet printing

Few Popular Models of Dye-Sublimation Printers

Canon Selphy CP710
Dye-sub printer for 150x100mm photographs

Samsung SPP-2040 photo printer
Dye-sub printer with 300x300dpi resolution

Samsung SPP-2020
Digital photo printer that produces 100x150mm snapshots

HiTi Photo Printer 641PS
Dye-sub printer for 152x102mm photographs

Sony PictureStation DPP-FP30
A user-friendly dye-sub photo printer

Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock 6000
A dye-sublimation printer for compatible Kodak cameras

Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock 6000
A dye-sublimation printer for compatible Kodak cameras

Olympus P-10 Digital Photo Printer
A dye-sublimation printer that prints straight from your Olympus Digital Camera

Polaroid PP46d photo printer
A dye-sub photo printer

Olympus P-440
Dye-sub printer capable of printing A4 photographs

Sony DPP-EX50
Dye-sublimation photo printer

About the Author

For tips on cleaning plasma screens and cleaning tile floors, visit the Best Cleaning Tips website.

Polaroid Vision Demo – Joycam 500 Film

Polaroid P-500IR Digital Photo Printer $149.99 An entertaining and logical accessory to your digital camera, the Polaroid P-500 digital photo printer allows you to print your photos anyplace, anytime, with no more hassle than inserting a CompactFlash or SmartMedia card and choosing your picture. As the P-500 uses Polaroid Type 500 instant film, it requires no batteries or power cords. Both JPEG and DPOF files can be used, and the printer autom…

Polaroid Portable Digital Photo Printer $99.99 The simple way to create prints directly from your digital camera, the P-500 is a truly mobile photo printer. It allows you to print photographs anywhere, anytime, without a computer. To use it, simply insert a CompactFlash or SmartMedia card (adapter included) directly into the printer, choose the image or images you want to print, and push a button for instant full color continuous tone prints. …

Polaroid Zink media 50 Pack Photo Paper for Polaroid Pogo Cameras and Printers $14.99 This PoGo ZINK Photo Paper from Polaroid is a 50 sheet pack of 2″ x 3″ borderless color photo paper featuring a peel-off, sticky back. The paper is tear-resistant, smudge-proof and water-resistant, and dries quickly. Designed with ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology only for use with Polaroid PoGo products…

Opteka .35x HD² Wide Angle Fisheye Lens for Canon $29.95 The new Opteka High Definition² .35x Ultra Wide Angle Fisheye Converter Lens increases the versatility of your existing lens to provide breathtaking ultra wide angle views. And it’s so easy to use! Additionally the built-in detachable macro lens allows you to take extreme high resolution close-up shots! Nothing changes the way you see the world like High Definition² and no company does High Defi…

Polaroid PIC-300 Instant Camera in Black + Accessory Kit $100.00 Instant is back! The new Polaroid 300 Instant Camera has everything you loved about instant photography back in a fun and one-of-a-kind Polaroid way. With four lighting settings and an auto-flash, your photos will be perfect every time. Take the 300 Instant Camera with you to capture the fun instantly….

PIF300 – 2X3 Instant Film $10.99 Polaroid 300 Instant Film works with the Polaroid 300 instant cameras.

Taco Stand (Polaroid) 2009 $100 Taco Stand (Polaroid) 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of the West. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of the West.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Villia Blanco (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Villia Blanco (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Winter (polaroid) 2009 $100 Winter (Polaroid) 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of the West. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of the West.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Elysian Tree (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Elysian Tree (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Luminous Branch (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Luminous Branch (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Clouds (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Clouds (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Lookout (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Lookout (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Hilltop (Polaroid) 2011 $100 Hilltop (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

echo (Polaroid) 2011 $100 echo (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

the 5 (Polaroid) 2011 $100 the 5 (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

echo echo (Polaroid) 2011 $100 echo echo (Polaroid) 2011 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving presents a new limited edition for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable” nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Arches (Polaroid) 2009 $100 Arches (Polaroid) 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of the West. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of the West.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 13″ x 19″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Islands (polaroid) 2009 by elise irving $100 Islands (polaroid), 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of the West Coast. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of the West.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Two Lovers Beach (Polaroid) 2009 $100 Two Lovers Beach (Polaroid) 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of Southern California and Mexico. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of Southern California.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 13″ x 19″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Winter Shore (polaroid) 2009 by elise irving $100 Winter Shore (polaroid) 2009 by elise irving 9″ x 7″ archival pigment print on a 11″ x 17″ page elise irving has produced a new limited edition especially for Burke Decor. Using a vintage Polaroid Land Camera, she has embarked on a project that features the transitory landscapes of the West Coast. elise believes that the “unpredictable nature of the vintage camera and polaroid film lends itself to the mercurial landscapes of West.” Embracing the inherent “mistakes” or “happy accidents” that come with this media, elise has set out to capture the dreamlike state and magical promise of the western landscape. All prints are editions of 10. Signed and numbered. Prints will ship approximately 3-5 days from receipt of payment. All prints are archival pigments with a Matte surface; sizes reflect image size printed on 11″ x 17″ paper with a white border. This size features the actual boarder of the polaroid floating on a white background. Free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Instant Film $98.77 Instant film is a type of photographic film first introduced by Polaroid that is designed to be used in an instant camera (and, with accessory hardware, with many professional film cameras). The film contains the chemicals needed for developing and fixing the photo, and the instant camera exposes and initiates the developing process after a photograph has been taken. In earlier Polaroid instant cameras the film is pulled through rollers which breaks open a pod containing a reagent that is spread between the exposed negative and receiving positive sheet. This film sandwich develops for a predetermined time, depending on film type and ambient temperature, after which the positive sheet is peeled away from the negative to reveal the developed photo. In 1972, Polaroid introduced integral film, which incorporated timing and receiving layers to automatically develop and fix the photo without any intervention from the photographer. Instant film is available in sizes from 24 mm x 36 mm (similar to 135 film) up to 20 x 24 size, with the most popular film sizes for consumer snapshots being approximately 31/4 x 41/4 (the image itself is smaller as it is surrounded by a bord Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 132 Publication Date: 2010/10/31 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.31 inches

DK2211 – film $21.99 Brother DK2211 – Film – black on white – Roll (1.14 in x 50 ft) – for QL 500 550 580N

DK2212 – film $40 Brother DK2212 – Film – black on white – Roll (2.44 in x 50 ft) – for QL 500 550 580N

DK2606 – film $57.99 Brother DK2606 – Film – black on yellow – Roll (2.44 in x 50 ft) – for QL 500 550 580N

Tags:   4x5 · film · photography · polaroid · polaroid film 500No Comments