Speedy Dye-Sub Printing from DNP [Tech Tuesday]

June 14, 2016

By Laura Brauer

Inkjet printers are wonderful for creating gorgeous output whether you’re working on a wedding album for clients, portraits or personal fine-art pieces. But when it comes to photo booths and on-location event photography, nothing meets the need for speed and excellent quality output like a dye-sublimation printer.

DNP, which offers a number of different dye-sublimation models, just announced the DS-RX1HS. The latest in the company’s dye-sublimation line promises increased print speeds (up to 20 percent faster). I tested an older model several years ago and was impressed by the speed, quality and easy set-up and operation back then, and anticipate that the latest model exceeds it in every way.

RX1HSPrinter

The DS-RX1HS is capable of printing up to 290 4 x 6 prints per hour (up to 700 prints per media kit). The printer is also capable of outputting 6 x 8 prints (up to 360 prints). And, for that real photo booth look, you can print two 2 x 6 strips on 4 x 6 media or four 2 x 6 prints on the larger paper.

Photo Booth a

DNP added a USB iSerial port, so you can print to multiple DS-RX1HS printers at the same time. Users  can monitor media type and prints remaining along with other real-time data via the new Status app, so you can keep track of important information. A Windows print driver comes with the printer but a Mac OS X version can be downloaded for free from DNP’s website.

The DS-RX1HS measures 12.6 x 13.8  x 11 inches and weighs less than 30 pounds so you can take it on location. There’s a high speed mode with a 300 x 300 dpi resolution as well as a high res 300 x 600 dpi mode. Both glossy and matte finishes area available but you’ll need to use the new RX1HS media (the current RX1 media is not compatible).

Depending on the reseller, the printer will cost around $900–about the same as the previous RX1. Both the printer and media are slated to be available in the U.S. and Canada on June 20.