Is dye sublimation printing technology compatible with rodbuilding? Is it a stable enough medium to be used for labels and decorative adornments like other printing methods?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2013 12:02PM by John E Powell.

It's even more ideal because the nature of the ink (dye) is more long lasting. Plus, you can print in white.

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Tom,

When you say it's even more ideal do you mean in comaprison to the style from say an Alps 1000/5000 series? My concern is, and I may have this wrong, that the sublimation process melts and sprays tiny droplets of ink and creates better shading than other methods, but siince it is an "ink?" that has a melting point will that be a problem for a rod that may sit in direct sunlight? I've been considering the cost/benefit of a discontinued/refurbished Alps style printer vs. a different current technology that may be less expensive and have a longer life span.

I've not heard of that issue coming up and more than a few builders have used the ALPs printer for making their rod inscriptions. Once you apply finish over the top of the inscription I don't see any real problem from it melting.

Hopefully someone that has an ALPs can weigh in and give a definitive answer.

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Tom,

I'm not sure I understand your post. I am under the impression that the Alps 1000/5000 are not dye sublimation printers. Do they have other models which are?

I'm not sure what they offer/ed but once you apply finish over the top of an inscription I don't think anything is going to melt, run, smear, etc.

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I tried a xerox phaser once that used solid colored ink that was melted and applied - I don't not believe it was a sublimation process though. It had a wonderful output on a page, but the melting temp was pretty low and I didn't have great success with it because of the melting problem. I tried a sample and after a season I could notice some blotchyness along sharp edges of vastly different colors (like yellow next to purple) so I never tried it again. That was about 10 years ago. Sublimation seems similar, but different enough that I was considering that for my next printer purchase if I could get some definite feedback. I suppose, I could always ask for a sample printout if I couldn't get a definite answer from someone who has actually tried it. My inclination is that it is a technological step above the xerox I tried 10 years ago and may work well, or at least I hope.

Was the ink covered or encapsulated with anything?

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Alps both the Alps 1300 and 5000 had the ability to print dye sub, many yearts ago Alps had a post on their web site that the dye sub did not work as well as their regular system for some printing chores.
The problem with the Alps is only a couple of models could print in metallics and all of them needed a white base coat for printing for use on rods again only a couple of models the 1000,1300 and 5000 were able to print in white.
I sold off all my models as it is becoming far to difficult to get the needed cartridges now a great idea for it's time but that time has passed, far easier to get the decals needed rom one of the sponsors
John

maybe you should compare the price of the printer supplies time to having some one like Decal Connection doing it for ya ???

Bill - willierods.com

cartridges are not hard to find.
they are vailable and plenty if you know where to look.
theya re available from a guy in new zealand at a reasonable price cheaper than the @#$%& hoarders who led you to believe that the cartridges are becoming instinct.
Also,
pawis parker foil fast p21x uses the same cartridges, the pawis parkers is basically an alps 5000, it has USA tech support, inks by the cartons.