Capturing Memories and Ideas: The Best Mini Photo Printers for All Kinds of Journals
Capturing Memories and Ideas: The Best Mini Photo Printers for All Kinds of Journals
Journaling is such a fun way to capture memories, ideas, and inspirations. Whether you’re keeping a travel journal, a commonplace book, or a planner, adding photos can really bring your entries to life. Mini photo printers have become an essential tool for journal enthusiasts who love to document their experiences in real-time in a creative and tangible way. Personally, I always travel with a full art supply kit that includes one of my mini printers and plenty of extra film.
Why Choose a Mini Photo Printer?
Mini photo printers are compact, portable, and super easy to use, making them perfect for all kinds of journaling on the go. They let you print photos directly from your smartphone or camera, so you can instantly add them to your journal and expand how you document your travels. Here are my top three reasons to get a mini printer:
Instant Gratification: Print photos on the spot and document your experiences in real-time. If I wait to add photos to my journal once I get home, I tend to forget or lose interest. Or worse, I haven’t left enough room, and the photos mess with my aesthetic – which is definitely NOT okay.
Creative Freedom: Customize your prints with filters, stickers, and text before printing. I love capturing the experience in the moment instead of after the fact, which really fuels my creativity. At the end of the day, I enjoy retreating to my room to spend quality time working in my journal.
Compact Size: Mini printers are small enough to carry in my purse or backpack when I’m out and about. I’ve been known to work on a journal entry in a coffee shop as a pit stop during sightseeing, in my hotel room in the evening, or even in the galley on a sea day during a cruise.
Top Mini Photo Printers
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link (This is the one I use most often, though I also own a Canon Selphy and an HP Sprocket.)
Features: This printer connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and uses Instax Mini film to produce high-quality prints. It offers fun features like Party Mode and Match Test, making it a great choice for all kinds of journalers!
Pros: Easy to use, high-quality prints, fun app features.
Cons: Film can be expensive.
HP Sprocket Select
Features: The HP Sprocket Select prints 2.3 x 3.4-inch photos and connects via Bluetooth. The Sprocket app offers a variety of customization options, including filters, frames, and stickers.
Pros: Compact design, customizable prints, affordable photo paper.
Cons: Slightly larger than some other mini printers.
Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer
Features: This sleek printer uses ZINK technology to produce smudge-proof, water-resistant photos. The Canon Mini Print app allows you to edit and customize your photos before printing.
Pros: Durable prints, easy-to-use app, compact size.
Cons: Print quality can vary.
Polaroid Hi-Print
Features: The Polaroid Hi-Print uses dye-sublimation technology to produce vibrant, high-quality prints. It connects via Bluetooth and offers a range of editing tools in the Polaroid Hi-Print app.
Pros: Excellent print quality, durable prints, easy to use.
Cons: More expensive than some other options.
Kodak Mini 2 HD
Features: This printer uses dye-sublimation technology to produce high-quality, water-resistant prints. It connects via Bluetooth and NFC, making it easy to print from your smartphone.
Pros: High-quality prints, durable, easy connectivity.
Cons: Slightly bulkier than some other mini printers.
Canon SELPHY Square QX10
Features: This printer produces high-quality square prints using dye-sublimation technology. It connects via Wi-Fi and offers a range of customization options in the Canon SELPHY app.
Pros: High-quality prints, durable, compact design.
Cons: More expensive than some other options.
Reminders for Using Mini Photo Printers on the Go
Keep It Charged: Make sure your printer is fully charged before heading out for the day. I charge mine each evening and always pack a plug and cord specifically for the printer so I don’t have to worry about which piece of technology will have to wait to be charged.
Carry Extra Paper: Always have extra photo paper on hand to avoid running out at the wrong moment. I’ve found that very few tourist areas carry printer paper for these printers, so once you’re on the road, you’re outta luck finding more paper.
Protect Your Prints: Store your printed photos in a cool, dry place to prevent them from getting damaged if you can’t put them immediately into your journal. I add a Tyvek envelope to the back inside cover of all my journals where I can store items that need protection and won’t get used right away.
Get Creative: Use the editing features in the printer’s app to add a personal touch to your photos. I don’t like words across photos, so I rarely use those options, but I will use filters to enhance the impact of my mini photos. It took some practice to figure out what options I liked best – and a lot of paper – but now I can craft a beautiful spread quickly and efficiently with far fewer errors.
If you haven’t invested in a mini printer, now is the time to do your research and add one to your holiday gift list. They also make an awesome gift for the creatives in your life!
