Top 12 Best Zink Printer Reviews

If Zink printers are new to you, small printers use zero ink. These printers don’t require either ink cartridges or ribbons to print. But they depend on heat transfer from the special paper used. This review will help you get the best Zink printer on the market.

We considered the excellent printer performance, fun to use, and useful features to compile this list. Also, you can be sure to get good quality prints while getting value for your money.

Our Top Pick:

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Best Zink Printer Comparison Table

Product	Specifications
HP Sprocket Photo Printer	Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2 x 3” Dimensions: 3.15 x 4.63 x 0.98 inches Weight: 6.1 ounces
KODAK Printomatic	Weight: 16 ounces File Format: instant Sheets Size: 2x 3” Dimension: 1 x 4.83 x 3.11”
Zink Polaroid ZIP	Connectivity: wireless Compatible Devices: smartphones and tablet Sheet Size: 2×3” Dimensions: 0.87 x 2.91 x 4.72”
HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer	Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2.3 x 3.4” Dimensions: 3.15 x 4.63 x 0.98” Weight: 10.8 ounces
KODAK Smile	Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2×3” Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.2 x 0.9” Weight: 0.035 ounces
Zink Polaroid ZIP	Connectivity: wireless Compatible Devices: smartphones, tablets Sheet Size: 2 x 3” Dimensions: 0.87 x 2.95 x 4.53”
KODAK Smile Instant Print	Sheet Size: 2 x 3” Dimension: 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.9” Weight: 1 pound
Canon IVY	Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2 x3” Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7” Weight: 5.6oz
Kodak Step Camera	Weight: 3.53 ounces Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.2 x 1.8” Sheet Size: 2 x 3 Control Type: Automatic
Kodak HD Portable Mobile Printer	Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC Compatible Devices: PC, Laptops Sheet Size: 2 x 3” Dimensions: 1 x 3 x 5.2” Weight: 8 ounces
HP Sprocket	Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2.3 x 3.4” Dimensions: 7.56 x 4.8 x 1.42” Weight: 10.6 ounces
Canon Ivy	Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible Devices: smartphones Sheet Size: 2 x 3 Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.04 x 4.69” Weight: 1.15pounds

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Leading 12 Best Zink Printer Reviews

1. HP Sprocket Photo Printer

This sprocket portable 2×3” instant photo printer is the best Zink printer, and it is more featured than its original counterpart. With this printer, you can print full-color photos for your scrapbook, cards, journals, and any other project.

Features

• Print papers: Once you print on Zink zero ink premium papers, you will have high-quality prints that are smudge, tearing, and fade resistant. You can preserve your memories for a longer time.
• Zero ink technology: This printer technology will save you high toner costs or ribbon replacement. The printer uses glossy, sticky back photo paper with embedded colors inside for printing.
• HP app: This app has cool editing tools.  You can customize your prints with unique filters, frames, and flair. Also, you can add stickers, emojis, and borders. You can also share albums via the app.

Pros

• Portable
• Rechargeable battery
• Can connect to multiple devices

Cons

• Not Wi-Fi enabled

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2. KODAK Printomatic

Do away with cumbersome printers and get this zero ink photo printer to point, shoot, and print. This printer will automatically give you water and tear-resistant, smudge-proof photos up to 5 MP.

Features

• Easy and fun: Believe it, this printer will allow you to take your creativity to the next level. The printer is fast, allowing you to shoot as you print the previous snap. Again, if you are working in a low light area, the light sensor will turn the flash automatically.
• Printing: Print instant 2 x 3” photos instantly. Meanwhile, you don’t need cartridges, toners, or film since the printer uses Kodak Zink Photo Paper. This gives you high-quality and long-lasting prints.
• Design: This printer will interest you if you embrace fancy designs. You can get it in a variety of fun and bold colors. Again, this printer will conveniently slip into your shirt pocket, making it easy to get it anywhere you want.

Pros

• Rechargeable battery
• Automatic printing
• Compact and sleek design

Cons

• Cannot print from an external device

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3. Zink Polaroid ZIP

Enjoy a simple one-touch operation with this zinc portable photo printer. The printer is suitable for kids and also fun enough for adults. You can easily print social media and camera memories instantly.

Features

• Printing: Make your smartphone memories real with this printer; fast and easily. To print, you need to connect your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. Then wait and watch your digital images come to physical images instantly.
• High print quality: This zero ink photo printer will give you bold, colorful, and lifelike prints. These prints are fade, water, and smudge resistant.
• Free Polaroid Mobile App: Download this free app for your android and iOS device to enjoy efficient printing in less than 60 seconds. Again the app allows you to adjust color brightness and temperature and add blur settings.

Pros

• Zero ink technology
• Compact to take anywhere
• Rechargeable battery

Cons

• It does not work directly with any camera

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4. HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

Get this Zink portable printer and own the moment. To get this printer more interesting, you need to download the free HP Sprocket app. Once you are done, you will get design features to customize your pictures before printing.

Features

• Design: This printer is slim and compact and designed to match your style. So you can easily take it anywhere and create memories.
• Print paper: The printer comes with 10 HP Zinc Photo Paper sheets. It measures 2.3 x 3.4”, with a sticky back and smudge-proof quality. This makes it efficient for your creative projects.
• Warranty: Once you buy this printer, you are guaranteed to free HP web support. All this for 24 hours, 7 days a week. Also, the printer is eligible for a one-year limited warranty.

Pros

• Sticky backed photos
• High-quality prints
• Useful HP sprocket app

Cons

• Not Wi-Fi enabled

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5. KODAK Smile

With this Zink photo printer from Kodak, you only need to snap from your smartphone using the smile app to edit, print, and share prints anytime, wherever you are. Again, the printer has a fast recharging battery that will last you up to 40 prints per charge.

Features

• Smile editing studio: Make your photos more beautiful. You can apply photo borders, add filters, color correction, funny text, light adjustment, and other fun effects.
• Zero ink technology: This printer utilizes zero ink technology. So you don’t require any film, ink refill, or toner; again, the prints are ready to touch straight from the printer.
• Design: Go out with style. This printer is slim, small, and does not use messy film or ink. This gives you the confidence to take it with you and share beautiful moments.

Pros

• Easy to connect
• The app is user friendly
• Good quality prints

Cons

• Running cost is a bit high

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6. Zink Polaroid ZIP

Get this Zink mini printer, and print your social media and camera memories. This printer is easy to use for both children and adults. You need to connect your smartphone or tablet via NFC or Bluetooth to print.

Features

• High-quality, vibrant prints: This printer uses zero ink technology and sticky peel back paper. This makes your prints live like, bold, and colorful. Again, the prints are tear, water, and smudge resistant and dry instantly.
• Polaroid Mobile App: This app is free and compatible with iOS and Android. You only need to download the app and unlock the adjustable and customizable features to edit your photos.
• Design: If you are a travel enthusiast, this printer is designed with you in mind. It is compact for easy portability. Get this printer and share memories either indoors or outdoors.

Pros

• Always ready to print
• Wireless connectivity
• Good print quality

Cons

• Battery life is a bit short

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7. KODAK Smile Instant Print

Get this Zink portable photo printer to multitask as a printer and camera. This camera printer is compact and easy to use. So you can take it with you and take photographs anywhere you go at any time.

Features

• Sliding design: This is not your normal bulky print camera. This printer is compact with a unique slide-out protective casing. The durable resin casing will slide open to expose the wide 8mm lens.
• Easy to use: This digital camera is the perfect gift for your child. The camera is easy to use with 10MP. This device allows you to capture, edit and share photos. All this with 2 picture modes, a built-in editor, automatic flash, LCD viewfinder, and a fixed focus.
• Rechargeable battery: This print camera has a mini USB cable included in the package for battery recharging. You will enjoy up to 40 prints on a full charge, with viewing and editing photos via Micro SD.

Pros

• User friendly
• Fast rechargeable battery
• Small and compact

Cons

• The camera is a bit slow

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8. Canon IVY

Canon ivy Zink photo printer uses colorful dye-based crystals embedded inside the paper instead of ink or ribbons. However, you can print on 2 x 3” back stick paper from your smartphone or social media platform with this printer.

Features

• Easy to customize photos: It is easy to add elegance to your prints before printing. You can either add frames, stickers, emojis, filters, texts, collage print, or tile print.
• Compact: This is the best printer to take to parties, family gatherings, picnics, and other places. This printer will fit in your pocket perfectly with its ultra-portable size.
• Quality prints: Preserve your memories with this printer; smudge, tear, and water-resistant prints. Again, the print papers have a stick back; you can stick them on your favorite surfaces.

Pros

• Good enough prints for its class
• Easy to set up and use
• Allow bigger images and collages with a tiling feature

Cons

• Only connects via Bluetooth

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9. Kodak Step Camera

Taking a shot sometimes takes a lot of steps and time. However, this is not the case with the instant Kodak Step camera. This printer makes everything easy with a point, shoot, and print. This printer is easy to carry anywhere since it doesn’t have messy cables or ink cartridges.

Features

• Efficient: This printer provides an easy and efficient way to share photos. Without cables and computer transfers. It has a 10MP camera with a time setting, photo booth mode, auto sleep, pop-up viewfinder, and a flash. To snap, press the red button, save and print within 60 seconds.
• Amazing picture modes: This print camera give you 7 different picture modes you can choose. Gives you endless possibilities for your printing possibilities.
• Design: This photo camera is designed for all ages and skilled photo adventurers. It is designed with a compact, lightweight, and portable design. They are making it ideal for parties, picnics, and more.

Pros

• Compact and portable
• Detailed prints
• Easy to set up and use

Cons

• It does not support borderless printing

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10.  Kodak HD Portable Mobile Printer

Many printers of this class connect to your source device via Bluetooth only. However, this Zink portable printer connects with additional NFC and Wi-Fi. However, this doesn’t make it compatible with PCs directly.

Features

• Available in different colors: This printer is available in various colors. You can choose your favorite to match your style. The color choices include; yellow, black, white, and blue. The blue color is lighter and less dramatic, unlike yellow, which is bright and attention-grabbing.
• Built for travel: This printer has an inbuilt rechargeable battery. This makes it ideal for parties and events. The battery takes about one hour and a half to full charge and will last you for 20 prints.
• Free app: You will need this app to control almost everything in the printer. However, the app is available for android and iOS devices only. The app also offers photo adjustment options with arrange of filters you can choose from.

Pros

• Useful editing app
• Color choices available
• Multiple connectivity options

Cons

• A bit slow compared to average printing

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11.  HP Sprocket

Once you own this portable photo printer, you will enjoy every moment of your life. You need to download the HP sprocket app for exclusive design features to make it more useful. Again, this printer works with 30% larger print paper than original sprockets.

Features

• Fashionable features: Once you download this printer app, you will access frames, stickers, and filters to add elegance to your prints.
• HP Zink photo paper: This printer package comes with 10 HP Zink photo paper sheets. The papers have a sticky back so that you can stick to your favorite surface. Again, your prints will be smudged and waterproof.
• Tag to print: With this printer, it’s easy to get and print smartphone photos from your favorite social media. To do this, hashtag a photo and use the HP sprocket app to print it right away.

Pros

• Easy to customize prints
• Rechargeable battery
• 30% larger photos than the original

Cons

• Connects via Bluetooth only

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12. Canon Ivy

This canon Zink mini printer lets you print photos easily from your compatible smartphone or tablet. You need to connect your iOS and Android device and the printer via Bluetooth to print. The only time you need a cable is only while charging.

Features

• Zink photo paper: Print a 2 x 3” photo with adhesive backing. With this, you can stick to your preferred surface. Again, these prints are long-lasting, water-resistant, smudge-free, and tear-free.
• Customizable photos: You can choose to customize your prints before printing. You can add your doodles and sketches with drawing tools and add stickers, texts, frames, and emojis.
• Portable: This printer is designed to fit in your pocket. So, you can take it with you anywhere and print it wherever you want.

Pros

• 100 Zink photo paper included
• Protective casing
• Compact and portable

Cons

• Connects only via Bluetooth

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Buying Guide Best Zink Printer

Now that you have a lot of products to choose from, here are some factors you need to consider to get your best Zink printer and make a purchase.

Age

HP Sprocket is the best choice if you buy this printer for a young user. This printer is easy to use and has a kid-friendly app. On the other side, any other model is best suited for older users; however, scroll to see our top choice and why if you are lost for choice.

Zink Papers

It’s important to note that Zink printers use special multi-layered thermal papers called Zink papers. Before buying a Zink printer, ensure you have enough and a steady supply.

Connectivity

There are different ways you can connect your device to a printer. Some printers use NFC Bluetooth, and some connect via Wi-Fi. Again, some printers can support multiple connectivities. It’s important to get a printer that will be convenient for your device and area.

Battery Life

Battery life is significant for a printer since it determines the amount of load it can take. If a printer has a short battery life, it will probably go off before you are done. Before buying, ensure the printer can support at least 25 prints.

How Does a Zink Printer Work?

The magic behind these inkless printers lies in the paper, with cyan, magenta, and yellow dye crystals embedded inside with a protective polymer overcoat layer outside. To activate these crystals, you need to add heat. This turns them from colorless to highly colored dye. To print;

• Base layer: this layer provides to place the other layers of crystals. However, this layer may have an adhesive back for sticking.
• Cyan imaging layer: this is an image forming layer. When activated for a long time, it releases a cyan-colored dye.
• Magenta imaging dye: this layer releases magenta dye when activated at medium temperature.
• Yellow imaging layer: this layer releases yellow dye when activated at a high temperature for a short time.
• Overcoat layer: this layer seals the paper, allowing it to resist heat, water, and heat damage. Again this layer is responsible for the paper’s glossy feel.

In addition, there are layers between these layers that help to separate them. As the paper is passed through the print head, the color activated depends on its temperature and application time.

Cyan, yellow, and magenta can yield all the colors required to print high-quality images. According to Zink, each 2 x 3inch sheet has about 100 billion crystal dyes, and approximately 200 million heat pulses activate them.

How Long Do Zink Prints Last?

Zink paper is designed uniquely and also uses a unique process to print. However, Zink prints may last for the same time as normal photographs, and when they are well maintained, they may last longer. In addition, Zink prints are more with withstanding for different conditions since they are;

• Long-lasting: photos may fade, but you can be sure to enjoy several years of visual enjoyment. Normally, Zink prints may last for an equal time with photos printed with ink or toner. But, proper storage, away from humidity and direct sun, may boost their longevity.
• Adhesive back: Zink papers allow you to display our prints on the wall, door, journal, or scrapbook. And take them down whenever you need them. Unlike traditional photos, you need to use tape or thumb tucks for display.
• Waterproof/ tear and smudge resistant: Zink paper inside is sealed with a clear polymer overcoat which gives the paper waterproof characteristic. This coat protects it from water, light, and heat more than normal photographs. The papers also don’t tear easily; you need to use scissors, unlike normal ones.

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FAQ

Is all Zink Paper the Same? 

Yes. all Zink papers are the same since they come from one company. Commonly, Zink papers are available in 2 by 3” or 3 by 4” format. However, the Polaroid Pop camera uses a special variety of Zink paper.

Is Zink Paper eco-friendly? 

Yes. This paper is compact and ecologically friendly. There is no empty ink ribbon cartridges waste, no ink, and extra packaging to discard. In short, the paper is the print, according to Herchen.

Does Zink Paper Fade?

Yes. Although the paper is long-lasting, over time, the photo will fade. However, Zink paper will give you several years of your photos enjoyment before they start to fade. Photos printed using Zink paper can last as many years as ink or toner printed photos.

Does Zink Paper Expire? 

No. Zink papers don’t expire because the printer heat activates the crystals on the paper. Again, these crystals do not deteriorate in any other way. Hence, you may ignore the expiry date on the paper.

Can I Use Polaroid Zink Paper with Instax? 

Yes, you can. However, ensure you save the blue card from your ivy Zink paper pack. Then replace the HP blue card with it after you load the paper. The paper works great with Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer.

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Conclusion

From this article, you can agree that printing doesn’t have to be messy and tiresome with the best Zink printer. Once you get a small compact printer with an inbuilt battery, you can go anywhere with it, capture the moments and print them. Hopefully, from this article, you will grab your favorite Zink printer. And take control of your moments.

However, we suggest HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer if you have not yet decided. This printer uses a sticky back and 2.3” x 3.4” photo paper. Again, you can customize your prints before printing using the HP sprocket app.