Repeat after me: “My phone is not a photo frame. My phone is not a photo frame.” As our lives become more and more drowned in tech, I’m feeling a stronger and stronger pull toward the “tangible.” Journal, crafting and scrapbooking feel more meaningful than ever…but that doesn’t mean we can’t use tech to our advantage. My hobby tote is filled with the 4 best portable printers, which I reach for regularly when I want to create tangible memories with actual paper, pencil, scissors and more.
I totally understand that we are tethered to our phones. It’s a pretty inescapable truth of daily life, but let’s embrace it. Our phones make memory keeping SO much easier. We can snap a beautiful photo without even thinking about it. Now, let’s get those memories OFF the phone! Here are my top picks for portable printers that I highly recommend to help elevate your analog life.
My Portable Photo Printer Lineup – Quick Overview
- Canon SELPHY CP1500 – my most used printer for printing traditional sized 4×6″ color prints! Also has a ton of features for making more creative collages and photo strips. This printer is the best catch-all portable photo printer
- Canon IVY – The Most Portable Photo Printer by far. It uses ZINK paper, which means no ink cartridges needed. The 2×3 borderless prints have a sticky back, perfect for on-the-go journaling. You can also print directly onto pre-cut stickers for even more cuteness in your journal.
- Canon TR160 – Where Portable Meets Practical! This portable printer gives you all the function of a full size printer…but it fits in your tote bag. Perfect for printing documents, shipping labels, journaling worksheets…anything that you need on a letter sized piece of paper!
- Canon SELPHY QX20 – Fits in your purse and prints two different sizes of photos! Perfect if you’re looking for a Polaroid style photo with space at the bottom for writing. Print quality on this portable printer is incredible considering it’s size. Uses a specific ink cartridge for each photo paper size, which somewhat impacts overall portability.
If you’re trying to figure out the best portable printer for you, in under 30 seconds, this chart is for you!
| SELPHY CP1500 | SELPHY QX20 | Canon IVY | Canon TR160 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for: | High Quality Photo Prints | Journaling, Polaroid-style photos | Quick, fun prints, Journaling | Documents, worksheets, full page documents |
| Ink Needed: | Yes. Cartridge (included with paper) | Yes. Cartridge (included with paper) | No (ZINK Paper) | Yes. Ink Cartridges |
| Print Size | 4×6″ | Card Size (2.1” x 3.4”) and Square (2.7” x 2.7”) | 2″x3″ | Up to Letter Sized (8.5 x 11″) |
| Sticker Prints? | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Portability? | Yes, but bulkier | Yes, very compact | Yes, pocket sized | Yes, but bulkier. Fits in a large tote. |
How I Actually Use Each of my Portable Printers
Canon SELPHY CP1500:
This is my most used photo printer! It prints extremely high quality photos on 4×6 paper which is perfect for my scrapbook. If you’re wondering how to use a portable printer for scrapbooking, the SELPHY CP1500 is your answer.
I also use this printer in creative ways to printer larger photos that I want to cut out for my journals.
You can purchase separate battery pack for this printer which allows you to create on the go without being tethered to the wall outlet. Here are a few ways I have used my Canon SELPHY CP1500:
- Back to School Bookmarks and More
- Button Charms
- Photo Vision Book
- My Scrapbook
- Photo Magnets
This is a handheld wonder that I reach for regularly when I want to create artsy, aesthetic journal layouts. This portable printer uses photo paper and a cartridge, which makes it slightly more cumbersome to transport if you want to carry those accessories with you.
The Canon SELPHY QX20 prints two different size photos – 2.1″x3.4 (Card Size) and 2.7×2.7 (Square Size). I love being about to create two different sizes with one very compact printer. The backing of the photo paper is adhesive which is amazing for journaling and scrapbooking. The adhesive isn’t SUPER strong, so you may want to add more for a stronger stick.
This printer is rechargeable using a USB-C cord.
Here are a few ways I have used my Canon SELPHY QX20
- Junk Journaling
- In my planner
- On-the-go souvenirs, when I want to print a quick photo to give to a friend
- Mini Scrapbook
Canon IVY
A pocket sized powerhouse! The Canon IVY is SUCH a fun little printer. Unlike the SELPHY QX20, which prints photos with a white border on the bottom, the IVY prints 2×3″ borderless photos in seconds.
The IVY uses ZINK paper which means there are no ink cartridges to worry about. Just insert the paper and you’re ready to print. Like the QX20, the paper for the IVY is adhesive on the back. I ESPECIALLY love the pre-cut sticker paper that makes the cutest little circle shaped stickers.
The Canon IVY is rechargeable using a USB-C cord.
Here are a few ways I have used my Canon IVY
- Photo keychains and charms
- Summer Bucket List
- Cord Organization
- Gift Tags
- Summer Reading Bookmark
Canon TR160
All the utility of a full size printer…but portable. The Canon TR160 is fun and functional. You can use it for work purposes. Think: documents, shipping labels, forms that need to be filled out. Then there are the creative uses: printing activity pages for the kids when you’re on the road! Printing out a journaling prompt worksheet. Print out a recipe…while you’re in the grocery store! LOL! You can even print a full page of stickers if you want! I love that I don’t have to rely on my large all-in-one printer all of the time. The Canon TR160 fits in a tote bag and you can purchase a separate battery to make it completely portable.
Here are a few ways I love to use my Canon TR160:
- Set up a fully functioning office at your favorite cafe…printer and all!
- Coloring pages for my kids when we’re on a road trip
- Printing school forms while I’m literally sitting in line for drop off
- Print out extra note pages to use in my planner
My Honest Recommendations
If you only want to get one portable printer: Get the Canon SELPHY CP1500
If you are a crafter: Get the Canon SELPHY CP1500 and the Canon SELPHY QX20
If you’re a Mom: Get the Canon IVY and the Canon SELPHY CP1500
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur: Get the Canon TR160
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which printers print stickers?
Great question! The Canon IVY and the Canon SELPHY QX20 both print on sticker paper, which means your photo print is immediately available to stick into your journal, planner or memory keeping book.
Which printers need ink?
Now that you know my picks for the 4 best portable photo printers, let’s talk ink usage. The Canon TR160 is the only portable printer that uses traditional ink cartridges (2 of them to be exact). The Canon SELPHY CP1500 and the Canon SELPHY QX20 both use small cartridges that are included with the photo paper. Each cartridge is designed to print on the same number of sheets as contained in the package. The machines will alert you when a new cartridge is needed. The Canon IVY does not require any ink at all. The Canon IVY uses ZINK paper. With ZINK Paper, the ink is actually embedded within the paper and released based on heat pulses from the machine. No separate ink cartridge required.
Can I print from my phone?
YES! That’s the beauty of all these portable printers and what makes them truly portable! They are designed to work seamlessly with your mobile device. Each device works with an app that you can download onto your mobile device. Within each app, you have the option to customize your photos and documents before sending them over to the printer.
What apps do I need for each printer?
- The Canon PRINT app will allow you to print from your mobile device to the Canon TR160.
- The Canon IVY uses the MiniPrint app
- The Canon SELPHY QX20 and SELPHY CP1500, both use the Canon SELPHY App.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this: your memories deserve better than living in your camera roll.
I love my phone as much as the next person, but there’s something really special about turning those everyday moments into something you can actually hold, flip through, and see in your space.
That’s why I keep these portable printers close. Each one fits into my real life as a crafter, as a mom, and as a content creator.
You don’t need all four (unless you’re like me and love options 😏), but even one can make a big difference.
So go ahead. Print the photo. Stick it in your journal. Share it with someone.
Because your phone is not a photo frame… and your memories deserve more. 💛
