A printing method includes selecting a dye sublimation ink, having: a disperse dye colorant dispersion; a primary solvent selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethoxylated glycerol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, and combinations thereof; a surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof; an additive selected from the group consisting of a buffer, a biocide, a chelating agent, and combinations thereof; and a balance of water. An operating energy that includes a margin over a turn-on energy (TOE) for a thermal inkjet printhead is applied to a heating resistor of the printhead, wherein the margin ranges from about 10% to about 25% over the TOE. The dye sublimation ink is printed from the thermal inkjet printhead i) directly onto a textile substrate, or ii) onto a transfer medium to form an image thereon; and the image is transferred onto the textile substrate.