Dye sublimation printing is one of the most common printing processes used in ID card printers today.  Dye sublimation ribbons are made up of a continuously repeating sequence of color panels in yellow, magenta, and cyan.  When mixed in the right proportions, the three color panels can create virtually any color in the spectrum.  The dye sublimation ribbons also have at least one black resin panel for printing barcodes and text.

During the dye sublimation printing process the ribbon and the blank ID card pass underneath a printhead together.  The thermal elements in the printhead heat the color panels on the ribbon.  The dye turns into vapor and diffuses onto the surface of the ID card.  As the heat continues to vaporize dye, the color on the ID cards appears more intense and crisp.  A clear laminate is then applied over the colors to protect the quality and integrity of the images, text and graphics.