Plus, some dye sublimation printers can automatically cut 2×6 photo strips from a 4×6 sheet, saving precious time at an event. Most inkjet photo printers take over a minute to make a print of the same size. Surprisingly, the Primera IP60 inkjet printer also prints a 4 x 6-inch print in eight seconds, but that is unusually fast for an inkjet. At least two of the models listed below will print a 4 x 6-inch print in eight seconds. This creates a longer-lasting image, that is dry immediately upon printing, unlike a typical inkjet printer that produces a slightly wet print.įURTHER READING: How Does Printing With Simple Booth Work? Don’t compromise on printing speedĪn important area where dye sublimation printers shine is speed. Once on the paper, away from the heated print head, the dye re-solidifies nearly instantaneously. As a result, the dye films become hot and the dyes go from a solid-state to a liquid-state and embed onto the paper. These special dyes are contained in films or ribbons in four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.ĭuring the printing process, the dye films are placed on the top of the paper and the print heads begin to heat up. If you’ve never used one before, they are a little different than your average inkjet or laser printer.Ī dye sublimation printer uses a heat process along with special dye and paper to print photos. The models listed below range in price from $100 to upwards of $500.īut, before we dive into specific brands and models, let’s learn the fundamentals of dye sublimation photo booth printers. Lastly, we’ve selected options for all budgets. Plus, despite their somewhat higher upfront cost, they are less expensive to operate over time, and typically have longer lifespans than inkjet printers.īecause of that, our top printers list includes mostly dye sublimation printers, except for one inkjet: the Primera IP60, which stands out as surprisingly fast for an inkjet.
They are fast, easy to set up and maintain, and don’t compromise on quality. ⚠️ Needs to be used and cleaned regularlyĪs you can see, dye sublimation printers win in almost every area that matters for photo booth printing. ✔️ Excellent print quality (300 dpi or more) ⚠️Limited paper capacity paper needs refilling frequently ✔️ Large paper capacity (400 photos per paper roll avg.) ⚠️Slow print speeds (2+ minutes per print avg.) ✔️ Fast print speeds (6-15 seconds per print avg.)