Editing Dye-sublimation printing (section)

=== Applications ===
[[file:Dye sublimation printing insecurity.jpg|thumb|Used dye panels retain a viewable image of the printed document, and an example of wasted dye that cannot be reused.]]

==== Industrial and Commercial Settings ====
Previously, the use of dye-sub printing was limited to industrial or high-end commercial printing. Dye-sub photo printing has been used in [[medical imaging]], graphic arts proofing, security, and broadcast-related applications. 

==== Rising Popularity: Dye-Sublimation in Event Photography ====
Today, it is extremely popular in event photography and photo booths or kiosks that require high-speed, on-demand printing.

==== Affordable Dye-Sublimation: Home Consumers and Postcard-Sized ====
[[Alps Electric Co.|Alps Electric]] produced the first quality dye-sub printers for home consumers in the $500–$1,000 price range, bringing dye-sublimation technology within the reach of a wider audience. ([[MicroDry|These models]] were, however, not true page printers, since they used a narrow printhead that swept across the page, like most inkjet printers.) Now there are many dye-sublimation printers on the market starting from as low as $100, especially [[postcard]]-sized mobile [[photo printer]]s.

==== ID Photography and Card Printing ====
The ability to produce instant photo prints inexpensively from a small printer has led to dye sublimation solutions supplanting traditional instant photos in some applications, such as ID photography with a [[card printer]].

==== Desktop and Photo booth Applications ====
Several corporations market desktop-size units as stand-alone printers and for print kiosk and [[photo booth]] applications. Some of these units are based on generic printers. Some manufacturers, offer [[software development kit]]s with their printers, suggesting that these companies hope to attract [[system integrator]]s as a potential market.

==== Event Photography: Immediate Lab-Quality Prints ====
Desktop-size standalone dye-sub photo printers are also used by photographers in event photography. The technology allows photographers to produce and sell lab-quality prints immediately during the event they are attending, with a minimal amount of hardware.