What is the difference between a dye-sublimation printer and a drum transfer printer?

A roller transfer printer prints designs directly onto fabric; a single machine handles both printing and transfer, making it suitable for continuous, high-volume production of fabric.

Sublimation printers first print onto sublimation transfer paper, and then a roller transfer machine or flatbed heat press is used to heat-press the design onto the fabric—a two-step process. The advantage is that the printer can be upgraded independently based on production capacity, and it’s also convenient to pair with heat press equipment of different sizes.

For continuous mass production of fabric rolls, choose a roller transfer printer; for applications involving individual garment pieces, zippers, shoe materials, or other items requiring transfer printing onto cut pieces, a dye-sublimation printer paired with a heat press offers greater flexibility. Send us your fabric and design, and we’ll provide a complete configuration recommendation for both the printer and heat press equipment.