Final answer:
A dye-sublimation printer is a digital device that uses heat to transfer dye onto different materials, creating high-quality photographs that are waterproof and UV-resistant. It differs from laser and inkjet printers in its method of transferring dye and the durability of the images it produces.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dye-sublimation printer is a type of digital photo printer that creates high-quality photographs by using heat to transfer dye onto materials such as paper, plastic, or fabric. Unlike a laser printer that uses a laser to create a photoconductive image on a drum, attracting dry ink particles that are transferred onto paper, or an ink jet printer that sprays small ink droplets charged by electrostatic plates to form images, dye-sublimation printers use a different technology. These printers involve a printing process that uses heat to transfer dye onto the medium, which is then absorbed by the material to create a smooth, continuous-tone image that is less prone to fading or distortion over time.
Dye-sublimation printing is particularly favored for producing vibrant, professional-quality color photographs. The resulting images are also waterproof and less susceptible to fading from UV light. This type of printing is commonly used in professional applications like photography studios, as well as for personal use. Artists such as New York's Wade Guyton and Kelley Walker have incorporated inkjet printing into their multi-media work, using the technology to print on unconventional materials, further illustrating the versatility of digital printing methods.