As someone who loves capturing moments on my smartphone, the idea of instantly printing those memories as tangible photos is incredibly appealing. Like many, my phone is my primary camera, filled with snapshots of everyday life. While I occasionally transfer photos to my computer, the reality is that most of them remain digital. My passion for journaling sparked a desire for a portable photo solution – a mini printer that could effortlessly produce small prints directly from my phone. I wanted to bypass the hassle of uploading, resizing, and complicated printing processes, and simply create quick 2×3 inch photos perfect for sticking into my journals. The market is brimming with these cute mini-printers, and with some gift money in hand, I decided to dive in and find the best Canon Mini Printer for my needs.
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After researching various options, I settled on the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer in rose gold (it also comes in mint green and slate gray). Its pocket-friendly size, comparable to a smartphone, promised portability and fun. The 2×3 inch photos with peel-and-stick backing sealed the deal for me.
Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer in rose gold on a desk with journaling supplies
Effortless Setup and Essential Supplies
Setting up the Canon mini printer was surprisingly straightforward. Although I briefly watched an online setup video, it was almost unnecessary due to its intuitive design. The process involves simply charging the device, downloading the Canon Mini Print app on your smartphone, and loading the Zink photo paper. Bluetooth connectivity makes wireless printing a breeze, allowing you to print photos virtually anywhere.
The printer includes a starter pack of 10 Zink photo paper sheets. Recognizing my intended use, I also purchased a 20-sheet paper pack alongside the printer. Bundles offering paper and accessories like carrying cases are also available. However, I opted to select a specific case separately to match my personal style (more on that later).
The Perks of Pocket Printing: Canon Mini Printer Pros
The Canon Ivy mini printer boasts several advantages that make it a compelling choice for on-the-go photo printing:
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Ultra-Portability: Its diminutive size is a major highlight. It’s genuinely smaller than my smartphone, making it incredibly easy to carry in a purse or pocket. This portability, combined with its appealing aesthetics, makes it a fun gadget to have on hand. Crucially, it fulfills its primary function perfectly: printing small, journal-ready photos via Bluetooth. Imagine the possibilities at parties or family gatherings – instantly sharing memories with guests or creating personalized thank-you notes and gift tags.
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Convenient Peel & Stick Photos: The peel-and-stick backing on the photo paper is incredibly practical. It eliminates the need for glue or tape, allowing for quick and clean integration of photos into journals, cards, and craft projects. This feature is particularly useful for journaling, scrapbooking, and adding personalized touches to various items.
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Ink-Free Simplicity: The Canon mini printer utilizes Zink photo paper technology, eliminating the need for ink cartridges. This inkless printing system is a significant advantage, removing the hassle of ink refills and potential mess. The Zink paper itself contains the color crystals needed for printing, simplifying the entire process.
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Journal-Perfect 2×3 Inch Prints: The 2×3 inch print size is ideally suited for journaling and similar applications. These small photos fit neatly onto journal pages without overwhelming the writing space. The peel-and-stick backing further enhances the speed and ease of use for incorporating photos into journals and craft projects.
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Creative App Integration: The Canon Mini Print app expands creative possibilities. It allows for basic photo editing, including brightness adjustments, filters, and the addition of text and fun effects. I particularly appreciate the option to add a white border, as seen in the peony photo below. The app offers a range of creative tools beyond just borders, allowing for personalization and customization of your mini prints.
Collage of photos printed with Canon Ivy Mini Printer showcasing various subjects and optional white border
Considerations Before You Buy: Canon Mini Printer Cons
While the Canon mini printer offers numerous benefits, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:
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Print Quality Expectations: It’s crucial to understand that a mini printer like the Canon Ivy won’t match the print quality of a full-sized inkjet printer or professional photo lab prints. Detail and color accuracy are naturally less pronounced in these smaller prints. However, for its intended purpose of quick, fun prints, especially for journaling and casual use, the quality is perfectly adequate. If you require high-fidelity, detailed photo reproduction, this type of printer might not be the primary solution.
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Slight Cropping and Color Shift: Printed photos may exhibit slight cropping compared to the original image on your phone screen and tend to be a bit darker. This is a common characteristic of mini-printers. However, the Canon Mini Print app provides a simple solution. Brightening the image within the app before printing compensates for the darkening effect, ensuring better print results.
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Smartphone-Centric Design: The Canon Ivy mini printer is designed exclusively for mobile use. It does not support printing directly from desktop or laptop computers. However, this is consistent with its intended purpose as a portable, on-the-go smartphone accessory. This limitation is unlikely to be a significant drawback for users primarily wanting to print photos directly from their phones.
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Per-Print Cost: The cost of Zink photo paper translates to roughly 50 cents per print, which is typical for mini-printers in this category. For occasional use and small print volumes, such as for journaling or small craft projects, this cost is reasonable. If you anticipate high-volume photo printing, alternative printing methods might be more cost-effective. For me, as it’s not my main photo printing method, the cost is acceptable for the convenience and fun it provides.
Stylish Protection: The Printer Case
To protect my Canon mini printer and keep accessories organized, I invested in a separate hard-shell carrying case. While some bundles include a case, I opted for a specific design that caught my eye – the Fintie carrying case. This case, available in various attractive designs, including the Van Gogh-inspired one I chose, is sturdy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. It comfortably holds the printer, photo paper, charging cord, and other small accessories, making it ideal for travel and storage.
Fintie carrying case for Canon Ivy Mini Printer featuring a Van Gogh design
Exploring Alternatives: Canon Ivy Cliq and Cliq+
For those seeking an all-in-one solution combining a camera and mini printer, Canon offers the Ivy Cliq and Cliq+ models. These devices integrate a camera directly into the printer, allowing for instant capture and printing. While I haven’t personally tested these Cliq models, they have garnered positive reviews as convenient alternatives.
Final Verdict: Embrace the Canon Mini Printer for Instant Fun
Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying my Canon Ivy mini printer. It perfectly fulfills my need for quick, small prints for journaling and various creative projects. Its portability, ease of use, and fun factor make it a worthwhile gadget for anyone who wants to bring their smartphone photos to life instantly. If you’re looking for a convenient way to print small photos for journals, notes, parties, crafts, or personalized gifts, I wholeheartedly recommend the Canon mini printer.
Canon Ivy Mini Printer in rose gold with a stack of printed photos
