Using heat to transfer dye onto paper: the most commonly used description of dye sublimation printing. But this technology’s unique chemistry is capable of much more than that, producing vibrant images on yes, paper, but also plastic, fabric, aluminum, ceramic, wood, glass, metal, brass, acrylic, and more.

International Data Corporation, a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets, expects the large-format dye sublimation inkjet ink market to almost double in the coming years, from more than $190 million to more than $320 million by 2021.

Will your shop be part of the market increase? Are you considering clients in the fast fashion or apparel industry? Dye sub allows for higher volumes of digital textile printing, driving an increasing interest in textiles and garments, like personalized T-shirts and baseball hats. What about short-run printing for the sports industry? Shops are using dye sub to print one-of-a-kind snowboards, skateboards, and more. And are you considering the interior décor market, with options ranging from ceramic tiles for the kitchen to couch cushions for the living room?

The forecasted numbers, the machines’ visual output, and the plethora of application opportunities can’t be ignored. Are you paying attention? Hopefully so. Here we share with you five of the newest dye sub printers on the wide-format market you should consider:

Avinci DX3200 from Agfa Graphics

TX3200-TXK from Inkjet Technology, Inc.

TS30-1300 from Mimaki

ValueJet 1948X from Mutoh

Artemisa T2100 from Paradigm Imaging

Explore more of this year's top products to consider for your shop or read more from the May 2017 issue.