Service Manual
5-3
Theory of Operation
5
Continuous-tone printing
The dye sublimation process can overlay precise amounts of dye onto each
printer dot with much more precision than its cousin, the thermal-wax printer.
Consequently, each dot is the exact color it should be, not an approximation.
This results in what is called continuous-tone printing. Where thermal-wax
printers must simulate a color by arranging a matrix of cyan, magenta, and
yellow dots together in a specific pattern called a halftone to trick the eye into
seeing an intermediate color, the dye sublimation printer can print that actual
color with a single dot. Because the printer can create continuous-tone colors,
the printer can output photorealistic prints.
Figure 5-1 The dye sublimation print process
8850-12
IMAGE
IMAGE
Supply spool
Mylar film
impregnated
with bands of
colored dye
Take up spool
Thermal head
Paper
Platen
