Liene may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think about photo printers, but their debut onto the US market with the Liene Photo Printer is making a strong case for exactly that. This compact device confidently enters the competitive niche of 4×6″ photo printers, offering a blend of quality, simplicity, and thoughtful design.
If you were to place the Liene 4×6″ Photo Printer next to a leading competitor like the Canon SELPHY, the similarities would be immediately apparent. Both embrace the classic dye-sublimation printing method in a similarly portable form factor. However, Liene introduces subtle yet significant improvements to this established formula, positioning itself as a serious contender for anyone seeking a high-quality, user-friendly photo printing solution.
The Liene Photo Printer impresses with its ability to produce excellent quality photos, all encased in a package that feels decidedly premium. For those seeking vibrant and durable 4×6 prints from a compact device, the Liene is definitely worth considering. However, like any product, it’s essential to delve into the specifics to determine if it perfectly aligns with your needs.
Affordable dye-sublimation printers for home use have been readily available for over a decade. When Liene presented their photo printer for review, the technology itself wasn’t groundbreaking. The innovation lies in how Liene has refined and enhanced the existing technology, delivering meaningful improvements over current market offerings. These enhancements are compelling enough to warrant attention, even from professional photographers who demand top-tier print quality in a portable format.
Liene Photo Printer Printing Process
Photos printed with the Liene photo printer are virtually indistinguishable from professional lab prints.
The magic behind dye-sublimation printing lies in its layered process. The Liene printer meticulously applies cyan, magenta, and yellow dye layers, drawing the specialized paper in and out for each color application. Finally, a clear protective layer is added, sealing the photo and providing water and fingerprint resistance. The result is a professional-grade photo that boasts impressive durability and visual appeal. Technically, the Liene achieves a resolution of 300×300 DPI, a specification that translates to visibly sharp and detailed prints.
In practical use, the Liene’s output impressed with its sharpness and natural color rendition right out of the box, using default settings. Remarkably, to the reviewer’s eye, the prints even appeared sharper than those from a high-end Canon PIXMA Pro-10, a professional-grade pigment ink printer costing significantly more. While color profiles differed slightly between the printers, neither exhibited superior accuracy – both delivered pleasing and true-to-life colors.
Dye-sublimation printers in this class typically adhere to a similar formula: producing 4×6 prints using proprietary cartridges and paper meticulously designed to work harmoniously with the printer’s mechanics. The Liene printer follows this established pattern. While it excels at producing exceptional 4×6 prints at a reasonable initial cost, it’s worth noting that professional printers like the Canon Pixma offer larger format printing up to 13×19 inches. However, for dedicated 4×6 printing, the Liene’s dye-sublimation technology offers a distinct advantage with its inherent liquid and scratch resistance, making it a superior choice for this specific print size.
Liene Printer: Outperforming the Competition in User Experience
Initially, the absence of a screen on the Liene printer seemed like a potential drawback when compared to competitors in the same category. However, reflecting on past experiences with screen-equipped printers like the Canon SELPHY (specifically the older CP760), the screen often added unnecessary complexity. Setup processes were frequently convoluted, involving driver installations and troubleshooting, often leading to the simpler solution of direct SD card printing. Even newer Canon models with WiFi connectivity often suffer from poorly designed apps, and Canon’s history of prematurely ending driver support for older printers raises concerns about long-term usability. While older SELPHY models might function with open-source drivers on modern operating systems, official Canon software support often becomes unavailable, limiting functionality.
The Liene printer, in stark contrast, provides a refreshingly seamless user experience. Connecting to a Mac via a USB-C cable (though, disappointingly, not included) was truly plug-and-play. No drivers were required; it simply worked immediately. The setup process was non-existent, and print quality was consistently excellent.
Liene Photo Printer Design and Cartridge
The Liene Photo Printer in its compact storage configuration, featuring a paper storage compartment on top and a readily accessible print cartridge in the front.
Liene’s Photo app for iPhone mirrors this effortless usability, connecting wirelessly to the printer without any complications. The app includes basic editing tools and even a template for ID photo printing. Print quality via the app remained consistent with computer-connected printing.
The printer also cleverly creates its own WiFi hotspot, enabling direct connections from both computers and smartphones for immediate printing. While initially unconventional, this approach mirrors the familiar process of connecting to a camera via smartphone. In practice, this wireless connection proved to be straightforward and reliable.
One minor setup hurdle involved the app registration process, which required email verification with a 60-second code entry window. While this timeframe felt restrictive, once past this initial step, the experience was consistently smooth.
Having used numerous professional and consumer printers from brands like HP, Epson, and Canon over the years, this Liene printer stands out for its exceptionally smooth setup and operation. This user-friendliness is a significant selling point, particularly for those seeking a hassle-free printing experience.
Adding to its appeal is the Liene printer’s refined design. The overall fit and finish exude quality. The initial concern about the lack of a screen quickly faded once the ease of setup became apparent. Cartridge and paper loading are intuitive, and the integrated paper storage tray on top of the printer is a smart, space-saving design element. In terms of design and usability, the Liene printer excels.
Print speeds averaged around two minutes per print, with approximately one minute attributed to processing time on an iMac and within Photoshop after initiating the print command. This speed is typical for printers in this class and perfectly acceptable given the printer’s price point and print quality.
Evaluating Cost and Long-Term Ownership of the Liene Photo Printer
The comparison with the Canon SELPHY is unavoidable, as the Liene directly competes in this market segment. While the Liene boasts excellent print quality, cost considerations are crucial. Canon offers cartridge and paper packs of 108 prints for approximately $34, translating to roughly 30 cents per print. Liene’s equivalent package contains 40 prints and costs around $20, resulting in a higher cost of 50 cents per print. This 20-cent difference per print is a notable factor. However, the Liene printer itself is often priced lower than competitors, frequently found around $115 with discounts, potentially offsetting the higher supply costs over time, depending on printing volume. For context, HP Sprocket consumables average around 43 cents per print, and Kodak options are approximately 38 cents per print (based on pricing at the time of the original review).
Personal experience with Canon SELPHY printers has highlighted potential frustrations with driver support, sometimes rendering older printers unusable. Liene’s driverless operation on macOS and user-friendly app are significant advantages in this regard. While older SELPHY models offer SD card printing as a fallback, the Liene currently lacks this feature.
Liene demonstrates a promising commitment to software and user support. If this relatively new entrant to the US market (since July of the previous year) maintains consistent software compatibility across Apple and Microsoft operating systems, it would significantly enhance the printer’s long-term value and justify the initial investment.
Final Verdict: The Liene Photo Printer – A Solid Choice
Considering its current capabilities, the Liene Photo Printer is a robust and affordable option. For both casual users wanting to print snapshots at home and professional photographers needing a portable and reliable 4×6 printing solution, the Liene presents a compelling case for incorporating a dye-sublimation printer into their workflow.
Liene also offers a model equipped with a rechargeable battery. If you’re considering this printer or any dye-sub printer, the battery-powered version is highly recommended. For a mere $20 premium, the added portability unlocks possibilities for on-the-go printing, photo booth setups, and travel use. Considering Canon’s $86 price tag for a comparable SELPHY battery, the Liene battery model offers significant upfront cost savings, potentially outweighing the slightly higher per-print cost. Combined with its superior app support and user experience, the Liene Photo Printer, especially the battery-powered variant, is a strong contender in the portable photo printer market. Liene’s successful entry into the US market is indeed a win and warrants serious consideration for anyone seeking a compact, high-quality photo printer.
Liene Photo Printer Simple Design
The Liene Photo Printer’s design is understated yet functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Pros:
- Attractive Price Point
- Solid Build Quality
- Excellent, Premium-Feel Prints
Cons:
- Higher Cost Per Print Compared to Some Competitors
Purchase:
Purchase the Liene Photo Printer by clicking here.
