Comparing Mini Printers for Use in Museums

Matt Isble Interactives, Research and Reviews

Those of us in the museum field love to engage our visitors. Be it through objects, stories, interactives, graphics, or little things they can take away with them so they can remember the experience. No need to reinvent the wheel, a photo booth, be it digital or actual, is always a crowd favorite.

It’s hard to know what hardware will be right for your situation. I did the research and tried to break down all the pros and cons of the top 4 models. I hope this helps and please share your experience with MuseumTrade so we can further this research. Do you use a brand or model not mentioned here, please-please-please let me know so we can all learn from your experience. We’re in this together.

There once was a mini printer so bright,

With Bluetooth, it prints with such delight,

It’s small and compact,

And easy to act,

Now memories can be printed all night!

Mini Printers: Pros and Cons for Museums

There are several popular models of Bluetooth-enabled mini color printers including HP Sprocket, Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer, Kodak Mini 3 Retro, and Fujifilm Instax Mini Link.

Pros of these printers include:

Portability: These printers are small in size and can easily fit in a pocket, making them ideal for on-the-go printing in any gallery space or off-site location.
Convenient printing: With Bluetooth connectivity, these printers allow for easy and convenient printing from a smartphone or tablet. Best to use the museum’s tablet so you don’t have to connect to each and every visitor’s phone.
High-quality prints: Many of these printers produce high-quality, vibrant color prints.

Cons of these printers include:

Limited paper capacity: The small size of these printers also means a limited paper capacity, making them less suitable for high-volume printing.
Cost of consumables: The cost of the printing paper and ink can be higher compared to traditional printers.
Limited functionality: These printers typically have limited functionality compared to full-featured printers, such as the lack of scanning and copying capabilities.
No branding options on the photo itself. That would be cool, but it’s not available at this price point. Consider a sticker you pop on before handing it over.

-For your convenience, I’ve included the Amazon link for each printer. Clicking the link costs you nothing, but it will help support MuseumTrade’s mission. Thanks in advance for your support!

HP Sprocket Review:

The HP Sprocket is a Bluetooth-enabled mini color printer that is designed for on-the-go printing. It is small in size, easy to carry around, and produces high-quality, vibrant color prints.

One of the standout features of the HP Sprocket is its user-friendly app, which offers plenty of customization options such as filters, frames, and text. The app is easy to navigate and makes printing a breeze.

Another advantage of the HP Sprocket is its affordability, with paper refills available at a reasonable cost. The 2×3 inch print size is perfect for creating mini prints to share with friends or decorate your space.

However, it is important to note that the print quality of the HP Sprocket may not be as sharp as some of the other mini color printers on the market. Additionally, the small size of the printer also means a limited paper capacity, making it less suitable for high-volume printing.

In conclusion, the HP Sprocket is a great option for those who value portability, affordability, and a user-friendly app. It produces high-quality, vibrant color prints and is perfect for on-the-go printing. Just be aware of its limitations regarding print quality and paper capacity.

Buy your HP Sprocket HERE

Pros of the HP Sprocket:

Small and portable design makes it easy to carry around
Affordable paper refills
User-friendly app with plenty of customization options, like filters, frames, and text
Simple to use, just connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and start printing

Cons of the HP Sprocket:

Print quality might not be as sharp as some other options
Limited paper capacity due to its small size
Prints are only 2×3 inches, which might be too small for some users

In conclusion, the HP Sprocket is a great option for those who value portability and a user-friendly app. Its compact size and affordability make it a popular choice among those who love to create and share keepsake photos. However, if you’re looking for high-quality prints, you might want to consider other options.

Buy your HP Sprocket HERE

Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer Review:

The Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer is a compact, Bluetooth-enabled printer that produces high-quality, vibrant color prints. Its design is stylish and fun, with the option to purchase clip-on accessories to personalize it.

One of the standout features of the Canon Ivy is its higher print quality, with more detail and sharpness compared to some other mini printers. The 2.1×3.4 inch print size is larger than some other options and is perfect for creating keepsake photos.

The Canon Ivy app is user-friendly and offers a variety of filters and frames to add to your prints. However, it doesn’t offer as many customization options as some other apps in the market.

Another potential downside of the Canon Ivy is its price point, with paper refills being more expensive compared to some other mini printers. The printer itself is also slightly larger and heavier than some other options, making it less pocket-friendly.

In conclusion, the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer is a great option for those who value high-quality prints and a fun design. Its larger print size and stylish design make it perfect for creating keepsake photos. Just be aware of its higher cost of consumables and slightly larger size.

Buy your Canon Ivy Mini HERE

Pros of the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer:

Small and portable design makes it easy to carry around
High-quality prints with bright and vivid colors
Can be used with both iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth
User-friendly app with plenty of customization options, like filters, frames, and text

Cons of the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer:

Refill paper is relatively expensive compared to some other options
Prints are only 2×2 inches, which might be too small for some users
App has limited customization options compared to some other mini printers

In conclusion, the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer is a great option for those who value high-quality prints and portability. Its small size and compatibility with both iOS and Android devices make it a popular choice among those who love to create and share keepsake photos. However, if you’re looking for an affordable option, you might want to consider other options.

Buy your Canon Ivy Mini HERE

Kodak Mini 3 Retro Printer Review:

The Kodak Mini 3 Retro is a mini color printer that stands out with its retro design. It produces high-quality, vibrant color prints, especially for photos with lots of detail. The compact size and affordable paper refills make it a great option for on-the-go printing.

One potential downside of the Kodak Mini 3 Retro is its app, which has some quirks and might not be as user-friendly as other options. The app also has limited customization options, with only basic filters and frames available.

Another potential issue with the Kodak Mini 3 Retro is its size, which is slightly larger and heavier than some other mini printers. This might make it less suitable for those who prioritize portability.

In conclusion, the Kodak Mini 3 Retro is a great option for those who value affordability and a cool retro design. Its high-quality prints and compact size make it perfect for on-the-go printing. Just be aware of its less user-friendly app and slightly larger size.

Buy your Kodak Mini 3 HERE

Pros of the Kodak Mini 3 Retro Printer:

Retro design gives it a cool and unique look
User-friendly app with plenty of customization options, like filters, frames, and text
High-quality prints with sharp details and vibrant colors
Comes with a rechargeable battery, making it convenient for on-the-go printing

Cons of the Kodak Mini 3 Retro Printer:

Relatively expensive compared to some other options
Prints are only 2.1×2.1 inches, which might be too small for some users
Limited paper capacity, making it unsuitable for high-volume printing

In conclusion, the Kodak Mini 3 Retro Printer is a great option for those who value high-quality prints and a unique retro design. Its user-friendly app and rechargeable battery make it a popular choice among those who love to create and share keepsake photos. However, if you’re looking for an affordable option or larger print size, you might want to consider other options.

Buy your Kodak Mini 3 HERE

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Printer Review:

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is a compact and portable mini color printer that produces high-quality, vibrant color prints. Its user-friendly app offers a variety of filters and frames, making it fun and easy to add customization to your prints.

One of the standout features of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is its print quality, especially with portraits and close-ups. The prints come out clear and sharp, making them perfect for creating keepsake photos.

However, it’s important to note that paper refills for the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link are on the pricier side compared to some other mini printers. Additionally, the printer only produces 2.1×2.1 inch prints, which is a smaller size than some other options.

Another potential issue with the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is that it doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery, so you have to purchase one separately. This might not be ideal for those who prioritize convenience.

In conclusion, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is a great option for those who value portability, a user-friendly app, and high-quality prints. Its compact size and fun customization options make it perfect for creating keepsake photos. Just be aware of its higher cost of consumables, limited print size, and the need to purchase a separate rechargeable battery.

Buy your Fujufilm Instax Mini HERE

Pros of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Printer:

High-quality prints with bright and vivid colors
Comes with a rechargeable battery, making it convenient for on-the-go printing
User-friendly app with plenty of customization options, like filters, frames, and text
Has a fun and interactive “Match Test” feature that allows you to test your compatibility with friends

Cons of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Printer:

Refill paper is relatively expensive compared to some other options
Prints are only 2×2 inches, which might be too small for some users
App has limited customization options compared to some other mini printers

In conclusion, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Printer is a great option for those who value high-quality prints and fun features. Its rechargeable battery and user-friendly app make it a popular choice among those who love to create and share keepsake photos. However, if you’re looking for an affordable option or a larger print size, you might want to consider other options.

Buy your Fujufilm Instax Mini HERE

Conclusion

Ultimately you have to make a choice in your given situation. Budget and style play a part. In my experience, most consumer-level printers are fine for occasional use such are months-long temporary exhibits or special events like openings or for school groups. But if you’re looking for a workhorse that cranks this stuff out every day, 10 hours a day, these printers may not be for you. There’s a whole world of industrial printers out there with brands that may be unfamiliar to the average consumer.

That said, before going all in on a workhorse with a set of big beefy hardware and big beefy prices, try one of these printers as your first iteration. Work out the kinks and get feedback from your visitors. You’ll then be ready to present a line item on the next budget with real numbers to back up your projected costs. Again, please feel free to share your journey here on MuseumTrade. You are so appreciated.