Testing Kodak, Canon, Lifeprint, Polaroid, & HP Zink Paper with the Same Photos, Results Comparison

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This video looks at the five brands of Zink paper and compares the results for each. Kodak, Canon, HP, Lifeprint, and Polaroid are tested using the same printer, same color calibration sheet, and the same ten photos to examine if the papers are all the same stuff with different names or if they're actually different and if they perform differently.
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[@David-mf8yo]

Just caught up with this video and it's outstanding. I own Canon, Kodak and Life Print printers so I appreciate your deep dive.I too was skeptical about actual differences in various brands of Zonk paper. You really helped me understand which is the overall best brand for my particular needs.

[@keiralionel]

zonk paper 😂

[@Dstonephoto]

Maybe it’s me, but some of those Lifeprint images seem pretty nice and significantly less blown out vs the Canons. Also, I wonder if we could apply some custom algorithms to tweak colors in order to optimize printers or the papers.

[@DavidHancock]

Could also be the lighting or the way the camera recorded the images.

[@claudiab2498]

I felt the same. I get Iike the life print color.

[@sarahbarns7296]

What an amazing review video, love all the print comparisons! Thank you so much for your help C:

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@melyndap22]

Thank you for doing this video! This was exactly what I was looking for and you saved me from buying the wrong paper. I have consistently used the HP paper in my sprocket, but I am going to try the cannon paper now!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@maxillariadendrobulum4079]

Thanks!

[@PetriciaVLubs]

Thank You so much! This video was really helpful for me to decide to buy Kodak or Canon 💗

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@ghimie88]

Great review! Just what I needed today! Thank you and I subscribed. I use calibration sheet for different zink brands too bec my old Hp printer broke (after 2y with very light use- seems to be a common issue for hp zink printer- n they have zero customer service). My Kodak is 3 yrs old now and still going strong. I use my lots of leftover zink paper for my current Kodak printer .

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@yamahass66]

Lifeprint look amazing at 16:30 on a screen might be otherwise but it's not blowing out highlights

[@DavidHancock]

Yeah, it was interesting how they all performed differently.

[@yamahass66]

@@DavidHancock I found out after looking again that the light hitting the pictures making it hard for us to see wich one is best, notice that they actually had blue sky for example when you where holding your hand over it. Have watched over 100 videos on different printers now. My favourite so far is Ivy/zoemini 1 gen but its not possible to buy anymore. Do you have any favourite zink printer?

[@DavidHancock]

@@yamahass66 That's fascinating and thank you¡ As for a favorite, I only have the one printer. I should test them all.

[@Azayaa42]

I've been looking for a zink paper comparison all over! Thank you so much for this great in depth review!!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@viktorijalapenaite4687]

I came back to watch this video again when purchasing the paper. Thanks for the video. I could benefit from summed up rating in the description.

[@DavidHancock]

Than you! I will do that for future comparison videos, too.

[@waynesimon2963]

Thank you for all your efforts David. Also the monetary expense in purchasing the samples. Interesting results for all the brands. I also expected similar results on one manufactured paper brand but not so. As always excellent content and presentation. Happy New Year celebrations to you and family. Cheers from Nova Scotia...

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you, Wayne, and you as well!

[@akumaxyz8216]

thanks for this. wish I saw this video before deciding to buy random zink paper haha. as for my experience: i have a Polaroid Printer attachment for an older line of Motorola Android phones. using the Polaroid paper as a 'neutral' control sample, my HP zink came out ridiculously cool (to the point where I don't even want to use them anymore). I just bought some Canon zink paper and am hoping for similar results as yours (sharper and more or less true-to-life). am on the lookout for a deal on some Kodak zink paper as well.

[@chrissoclone]

I'm sure it's the white balance of the video, but I thought the greenish one was in many cases the by far most convincing one - the others all look too magenta to me, with Polaroid being the extreme. I'm sure you answered this elsewhere, but the most confusing bit is using the same calibration sheet - as someone who's printing a lot (ink) this sounds like using the same ICC profile for different papers, which is the opposite of what you should do. Can you explain that again? Or, if possible, do a quick test again with the original sheet?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and it could also be your monitor settings, or how warm the printer was at the time if printing, or even production variations in the manufacturing stage, or the color temperature of the studio lights. The issue here is that there are a lot of variables I couldn't control for, or I could with a lot more time and paper than I have. So definitely not a thoroughly scientific study. I have spent a lot of time this week wondering if I can use the other calibration sheets on the Smile (they don't work on the Pribtomatic.) I definitely should have tried. If I get the chance I will, but I have a literal overfilled bookshelf of cameras that need manual videos made first (at last count it's around 50 that I have manuals started for and about 100 more that I don't.)

[@mrcalomx]

@@DavidHancock Can you explain this better please? You can use blue sheet calibration o Smile but not on Printomatic? I think Printomatic uses calibrations sheet too... no?

[@DavidHancock]

@@mrcalomx I believe calibration sheets are brand specific.

[@DesignGurl]

This is a good review, I never thought that it will came out differently, I really thought it came out just the same as you had expected, this just sums up that the zink paper you use is as important as the printer you buy, It never cross my mind to use different zink paper on the same printer, I thought it never work!! I don't own a printer yet and was planning o buy one, this review you make help me, A LOT!! Thank you for taking time to make this review ❤

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Cassandrag1581]

This is a great video, thank you. I'm wondering if you would get even more varying results switching out the printer you used. Like say using the Canon Ivy, or the HP Sprocket. Would be interesting to see the results of that test.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and possibly. I'm not sure how much they can or do tune the printers and paper to the specific brand.

[@maxillariadendrobulum4079]

Wow, I really enjoyed this! Thanks for investing so much time into something so useful. ❤

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@jp3576]

Thanks David, I’m interested in the Smile. Your experiment begs the question; should you use the lifeprint calibration for the LP paper to see is if the green goes away? Apparently each paper uses a different formula hence the individual calibrations. Just curious. Thanks again.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and that's a good question and a huge shortcoming of my test. I really didn't use the non-Kodak calibration sheets. (My scientist father would have had my hide for the lack of scientific method in this video.)

[@adhdskytka536]

Thank you for a great comparison video! Please make sure next time the camera settings are not overexposed when showing the results (eg at 9:24), other than that perfect :)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@happysparrow5929]

Thank you so much for this thorough review! It helped me so much. I’m not sure how Amazon affiliate links work, but I followed one of your referral links on this page to Amazon and bought the Canon Ivy printer, Canon paper, and a couple of other items. I hope my purchase counts toward your affiliate account even though it’s not the exact product link I went through. I did try to support the channel 💗

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! Unfortunately for Amazon, since I didn't make enough sales in my first 90 days, I don't get a cut any more. I've stopped doing affiliate links all together on new videos because it requires way more volume than I have to be worthwhile. That said, thank you for using the links!

[@Dahrenhorst]

I actually would have bet, that the Kodak paper would work best with the Kodak printer, thinking that they somehow would be aligned to each other. But than I read up a little on Zink Paper and learned, that all the different brands are produced in the same factory on the same machines by the same recipe and standards. So there should actually not be any difference between the different brands. What I also learned is, that the calibration sheet is not arbitrary. It seems to be actually meant to calibrate the camera for the current batch of paper used. So each production batch is tested in the factory and gets its custom calibration sheet, which informs the camera about the production batch induced particularities of the paper used. Thus you simply can't use a calibration sheet from a different Zink Paper package (regardless if from the same brand or a different brand), unless it is by chance from the same production batch. Using a calibration sheet from a different package can lead to wild color casts - as you have seen. Problem is, that this calibration sheet also works as some kind of separation tool, limiting the paper used to be printed only on its own branded printers. So while you can in fact use all kind of Zink Paper in any Zink Paper printer, the calibration sheet - which is needed to ensure that the printer does create correct colors - enforces that branded paper can only be printed on its own brand's printers (mostly). If you circumvent this with using a calibration sheet from a different package with the printer's brand - like was done in this test - you have a high chance of mire or less strange color casts. If you want to test and compare Zink Paper quality across different brands, you actually need all the different brand's printers as well. And than I would in fact bet, that the results are all very, very similar. I already have a Polaroid Pop camera, so I'll stick to Polaroid material (and I actually haven't seen such purple color casts yet), but with what I've learned now, I think if I would start with Zink Paper now I would buy into HP, since it is significantly cheaper than the other brands.

[@DavidHancock]

On the calibration sheet, I don't subscribe to the notion that each batch has a custom sheet. I've run about 80 packs through my printer and camera now and all 80 sheets are identical. In addition, I've often recycled calibration sheets because they're identical. I suspect that the calibration sheet is just a way to prevent brand name cross-pollination and to create a perception that the different brands are actually different. I do agree that testing all the zink papers would require a printer of each brand for the optimum result accuracy.

[@amouramarie]

Great idea! Love seeing the comparisons side by side. Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@FountainPenNews]

I'd love to see a update of this with one of the newer Zink technology printers. I'm about to buy a kodak step based on reviews but I'll pick up some Canon paper to try so I can compare. Thank you so much for a GREAT and very helpful video!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! If I update my printer, then yes, I'd definitely make another comparison video. Right now, my little Kodak is still working well.

[@marcinwawrzonek4565]

This is just great video, thumbs up mate, well done. I am wondering about one thing, will the Canon calibration sheet work in Kodak Printomatic camera? I have problems getting Kodak Zink paper, but could get Canon instead, just not sure if I still have Kodak caligration sheet at home.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! The Canon sheet will not work with this, only the Kodak. But the Kodak sheets can be used over and over if you take care that they aren't damaged between uses.

[@marcinwawrzonek4565]

@@DavidHancock Thanks for your kind reply. We were lucky enough to find the kodak calibration sheet that came with Zink sample attached to the camera :) now we need to make sure we do not lose it :) and it stays intact.

[@timhi2558]

thanks for the comparison. Now just trying to decide which actual printer to get!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@cristinavillarruel6290]

Thank you for the review. Have you ever tried Xiaomi paper? I´ve bought this Xiaomi printer today and I'm wondering if it's a good quality paper

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I didn't know Xaomi was making a Zink paper. I haven't tried it yet, no.

[@ViXoZuDo]

@@DavidHancock Huawei also sells Zink paper. There are also some other rare brands from china. Maybe you could do a follow-up video with all these chinese brands. EDIT: LG is also selling Zink paper. (it's not Chinese, but a well known brand).

[@jerryf7713]

So can I use any other Zink paper brands? I have Kodak printomatic camera

[@DavidHancock]

Yes, either without a calibration sheet or using a Kodak calibration sheet.

[@jerryf7713]

@@DavidHancock thanks 👍

[@annamalec8219]

That's absolutely great! Thank you for that video. I started to lose my mind which printer to choose ;), now the first thing I now the printer is not the point, the sheets are most important!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

Thank you for doing this. All other videos I found were from some vapid non-photographers. I have a project idea for Zink photos and needed a good comparison of the different options. 😊

[@DavidHancock]

Nice and thank you! We still use this printer for our annual photo collages. The prints have held up over time but I recommend augmenting the adhesive backing with some clear gorilla glue around the edges to prevent peeling.

[@MichaelRCarbajal]

Thanks for the comparison! Didnt realize it was only about the paper, but I have heard that the Canon Ivy 2 has a bit of warmer tones in the photos just like you did. Do you think you could counteract that by dropping the warmth in photo editing software?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! You probably could, yes, and perhaps even by toning or hue-shifting in the app.

[@jellyfishcreations]

I have an Ivy 2 that is printing horribly, hence the reason for finding this video. I find the colors to be too warm and dark at the same time.

[@timom.6745]

Did you try them with their respective calibration sheet? I’m guessing that the calibration sheet should manage the hue deviation for each respective batch , but that is only speculation from my side.

[@DavidHancock]

I did and the Kodak printer will not print images with calibration sheets from other makers. So the only way to use other makers' paper on this is to use the Kodak calibration sheet. That, yes, could have a role in why the color tinting varied.

[@timom.6745]

@ I have read that some people have hue variations between packs of the same brand depending on the calibration sheet.

[@lauravellatos]

Hi, so basically, you can use the paper that you want, but always with the blue paper from the “original” mark?

[@DavidHancock]

@@lauravellatos with this printer, yes.

[@863thugmexican]

Can you do a video on using 2x3 zink paper on the 3x4 printer

[@DavidHancock]

I think that would just jam. Insofar as I know, each printer can only use its specific size.

[@mrcalomx]

In this type of printers and paper, how often should the blue calibration sheet be placed? Is it enough the first time or is it always necessary every time you load 10 sheets? Thanks

[@DavidHancock]

I do it most every time, but I don't know if that's truly needed.

[@mariajimenezserrano5615]

hello! I have the Snap Touch polaroid and i would like to know if I can use the xiaomi zink paper (cheaper) in my camera and how to do it. Thankss!!

[@DavidHancock]

I'm not sure. I don't have one and haven't tried the Xaomi paper. My best guess is that if you have the Xaomi paper and the calibration card from one the paper your printed supposed to use that it will work okay.

[@wirelessdj]

Nope nope nope nope. I have HP sprocket 200 printer and bought the canon paper x100 sheets. They are greenish tint! Can I adjust the hue?

[@DavidHancock]

No idea. I've never used that printer,

[@sharonleibel]

This is an extremely good idea! I had an “a-ha!” Moment as I saw the notification on my phone. As the next level experiment, Do the same with a twist: Printing a photo on regular printing paper and/or darkroom print on several papers :) Happy new year!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and when I have a home dark room I'll do that (it's something I'd really like to do), but that's going to be a number of years away.

[@sharonleibel]

@@DavidHancock :-) By the way: Are you using the printer mainly for phone photo printing? What is a possible scenario to get one of these?

[@DavidHancock]

@@sharonleibel you can use it for any image you can get on your phone -- taken with your phone, downloaded from a friend's social media, uploaded to you phone from your PC, etc. The app let's you pick any photos on your phone to print, but the interface is a challenge. It sorts by image date not download date. That's a bit frustrating if you want to print an old photo. We have photo collages of our bikes and so forth at home. I'm about to send 20-ish rolls of from to the lab from our Christmas holiday in Mexico. I'll pick out a bunch of those (scans) for a collage to hang on our wall. That's or favorite use.

[@sharonleibel]

David Hancock oh, I haven’t thought of that: Because of the rather small size of prints, I tried to figure out the use case. But collages are a perfect solution! The interface sounds a challenge as you mentioned. I can’t imagine why would a company give an app without just been able to sort by anything... Such a basic requirement. I hope it has an option to select a few photos at once and not just one bu one :-) Nowadays it seems nothing is granted...

[@pickle2k]

Wow that was really useful, do you think the printer would have an influence, i.e. how much heat it applies to render certain colours from the zink paper?.

[@DavidHancock]

That's a good question and I'm not sure. Two variables could be how much the printer is being used at that time (it seems possible that high-volume printing could affect images) and whether the printer was warmed up or not before the print or batch started. Since these seem to work with heat, it seems possible that a printer that is warm to the touch could affect images. However, I printed the Canon images last so those should theoretically show color shifts if that's the case as the printer was very warm to the touch at that point.

[@veronicagreen6180]

Thank you, this was so helpful..I just bought the Cannon printer,but it’s good to know about other papers too....I’ll give them I try,,,

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@robyn_roamz]

I have just bought a Canon Inspic C and am using the Canon Paper that came in the box. I am very disappointed with the very blue cast of the Canon paper.

[@DavidHancock]

I can understand that. Color casts are a pain. If the calibration sheet doesn't fix it, it may be worth asking Canon about.

[@beemeat]

Amazing review!!! Thank you for the work you've done. Very useful and competently done video

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@NWoutdoorsman]

What's the difference between the Kodak smile and the Kodak step printers

[@DavidHancock]

I'm honestly not sure and don't have any real knowledge of the Step.

[@HeatherTwist]

Thank you for such a brilliant comparison video. Just what I was looking for.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@drdj2626]

interesting. do you happen to know if the Xioami Zink Printer will print on any zink paper?

[@DavidHancock]

No having used that specific printer, my best guess is that it has the same basic caveats for non-brand paper as this one.

[@shellymaiorana3045]

Thank you for video. Best comparisons! What I’m wondering is it not only the paper or the printer too? I have an older original HP sprocket but am interested in the Canon Ivy, I just purchase the canon sink paper and I will try that first. It’s all so much fun to discover the differences.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I suspect that the printer could affect the outcome, and likewise printer age and even two of the same make and model printer might be different. And yes, seeing differences in performance has been great.

[@ajayb2478]

What happens when you used the other barcode on your Kodak machine? Did it print or no Great review btw!!

[@DavidHancock]

It seemed to print without issue one time when I accidentally used a Lifeprint calibration sheet in it.

[@MrJuice1979]

For some reason on my phone screen, the lifeprint ones always looks like they had better contrast and resolution.

[@DavidHancock]

Interesting. I wonder if that's just to do with the screen.

[@InternetReviewerGuy]

Yeah it looks like a real photo compared to the others on my screen

[@MrJuice1979]

@@DavidHancock it may well be. I'm using a Google pixel 3xl. I can't remember if I changed display settings or not. I normally turn off dynamic excessively vibrant modes that exacerbate colours on devices I use if they come a little too vivid. It was a very informative video. I didn't expect there to be much difference, if any between the pictures either. To see there really was a very noticeable difference was very surprising. I'm by no means someone that has a clue about photography, so my taste in the photo prints is subjective. Personally, if I had to buy any of these photo papers I would go with the recommendations. The video was very clear in explaining the variations between prints and I think this is essential viewing for anyone who is going to be using zink photo papers.

[@linneahulten405]

Are all these papers (or none) like stickers, with "glue" on back. I have just found out about these small printers and want one, but I didn't really understand how these papers really worked. But somewhere I saw something about them being stickers. But I could maybe have misunderstood it.

[@DavidHancock]

They do have sticky glue on the back but it only lasts about a year for me.

[@linneahulten405]

@@DavidHancock you mean if I have glued it to something it will fall of after a year maybe? Or it won't be able to be glued on something after a year storage? Is it the same for all of them?

[@maripyxis]

Hi David! Thank you so much for your video. I have an HP Sprocket 200, and I am struggling with the colour quality. It prints with a pink hue and strips. I got a second device to check if the problem is the printer and only the pink hue has lighten up a little bit. I have bought different packs of HP zinc printing paper to ckeck if it was the code of the sheet. Do you have any suggestion?

[@DavidHancock]

Hmm. Curious. I've never used an HP. If you can adjust the photos in the app to over-correct the color, that might help. So if your photos all have a strong magenta hue, try upping the green level. If both printers are performing in a similar way, then it may be something with how the app interprets your image data.

[@maripyxis]

@@DavidHancock Thank you so much for your advice!

[@TheNoahNoah]

Thank you for this review!!! Thorough, informative, and comprehensive.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@soap212]

i have the huawei photo paper and it comes out so pink, even more than the polaroid brand. such a disappointment man. I'm wondering if it's because of the calibration or if the paper was damaged from heat. I'm gonna buy a pack of kodak to compare. thanks for the helpful video!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and let me know. I honestly didn't know that Huawei even made Zink paper.

[@pattyfowler9987]

Very well done. Thank you. I was wondering as I have packs of zink from different brands.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@toml7775]

I just got my LP printer and I don't get that green image you talk about. the other pic in your video look washed out. I think the LP app needs work. it's very confusing just to select a pic from your photos and print. the white on grey 'done' and 'close' buttons can hardly be seen. anyone else agree ??

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@jpsteiner2]

Best video I have seen that provides an excellent comparison of ZINK. Can you do a comparison of ZINK vs the 4Pass thermal process of Canon and/or Kodak?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I wish I could but I don't know enough about those processes or the machines used for them.

[@saralawapawapa]

Hello thank you for u review, really helping indeed. Btw i was wondering if u could use the paper of Canon for the kodak camera or so? If that make sense

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and I assume that the Kodak paper will work if you use a Canon calibration sheet instead of a Kodak sheet.

[@kyleandreiSiador]

Can I use canon zink paper on Kodak camera without problems? Also, I had Kodak smile classic and I’m not if I could use hp zink paper and others.

[@DavidHancock]

I did. There's a process described in this video that should help with that.

[@yi-minng8410]

Thanks for this really helpful and informative comparison video!!! Would you mind doing a Polaroid Hi-Print vs Kodak Mini 2?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and if I get the opportunity. Right now I have neither of those cameras.

[@inesSarria]

muy bueno.. gracias, ya se que papel usar. ahora me toca escoger la impresora

[@DavidHancock]

Gracias!

[@shweta_wanderlust]

Canon photo paper can be used in polaroid printer? Any idea? Usually polaroid photo printer also use zink paper..that is why i asked

[@DavidHancock]

@@shweta_wanderlust I haven't tested that. I would try it with one of the blue Polaroid sheets instead of the Canon sheet and see what happens.

[@shweta_wanderlust]

@@DavidHancock thanks will wait from your update

[@DavidHancock]

@@shweta_wanderlust I don't have the Polaroid printer, so I won't be able to update this at all.

[@tomjanowski8584]

What order did you print the different brands in? What brands were printed with no overheating? What brands were printed after the overheating began?

[@DavidHancock]

I don't recall for certain. Whatever order I showed the prints in is the order that I printed them in. I think that the printer started getting warm about the third set.

[@cortesmartinezdavidaaron4792]

Is the 2x3 zink hp photo paper compatible with the Kodak printhomatic camera?

[@DavidHancock]

If you have a blue Kodak calibration sheet or use no calibration sheet, yes.

[@VadimAndreyev]

The best comparison, thank you! I wish your camera wasn't overexposed though.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! Your monitor may be a bit brighter than mine, too. It doesn't look overexposed to me. But it is helpful for me to hear that it appears overexposed for other viewers.

[@forexercises]

That was exceedingly helpful! Thank you very much! I'll be buying the Kodak via your link because I print people pictures the most

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@forexercises]

@@DavidHancock you're welcome! I came back to make the purchase a few hours after I peeked at it. Added a sprocket printer too. I hope it works and you get credit for it

[@zonjo3971]

I got a question. you used the same printer for all brands of paper, does that mean I can use any brand for my printer? I've got polaroid mint and I'm willing to try Kodak paper

[@DavidHancock]

If it works like this one, then yes, but you'll need to use the Polaroid calibration paper and not the Kodak paper.

[@Ashley__Rose]

Will the Canon Zink paper work in the Kodak step do you know? Also does the printer eventually stop printing? Like is there a maximum amount of pictures it will print in its lifetime? Tried googling this info and keep getting info for a completely different printer.

[@DavidHancock]

I would assume that it's the same basic software and process but I've never used that printer.

[@sandrafigg821]

would using the brand of printer that matched the different papers bring better results for each one? I'm not sure it gives the other papers a fair comparison, if they are not used on their printers?

[@DavidHancock]

I wouldn't expect so. In all probability, given that the different brands of printer are all made by the same company using the same technology licensed with different logos, the results should be pretty comparable across printers. It would shock me if the company making all of the printers were making the printers and the paper to different specs based on the logo on the stuff.

[@Latoshajsinspiration]

Wow very informative and detailed review on all zink photo paper. Thanks so much!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@superbeegaming3751]

I like the review though I think in my opinion the Kodak and Polaroid are the best since I don't need to see the fine hairs on my head(might make people with thinning hair depressed too) but the reason I liked the polariod is because i live in a quite warm environment so there is a warmer tone most of the year and it seemed to make warm tones seem almost magical, though i haven't actually tested in real yet have i gotten the camera

[@DavidHancock]

Good point, and the Polaroid would work well for that.

[@1kungfunina]

Thank you for the amazing useful review. I was just wondering if anyone knows and has tried to use cannon or kodak zinc paper for a Polaroid snap camera??? Does it work or do you need to use the camera brand??

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and in theory it should if you use the calibration sheet from the printer's maker when you load the other brand into it.

[@Ashley__Rose]

Have you tried it with a Kodak step printer?

[@DavidHancock]

Nope

[@SabrinaWazien]

Do you use the blue paper of that brand on that printer? Or keep it as canon blue print only?

[@DavidHancock]

You would have to use the Kodak paper in the Smile printer. I assume that in a Canon printer you need to use a Canon calibration sheet.

[@jasiellara7799]

Can i use other brands of zink paper on my kodak step printer?

[@DavidHancock]

I haven't tried the Step, but I assume so if you have a Kodak calibration sheet.

[@relishnblemishes]

Do you need the kodak calibration paper when you are using different zink papers? What happened if I use canon sheets and use the canon calibration paper? Will it still work with my kodak smile??..

[@DavidHancock]

Good question and I don't know.

[@iban1228]

this video is exactly what i needed. btw have you ever tried using a different callibration sheet for the kodak smile? do they affect the overall performance? thanks in advance

[@DavidHancock]

I have not yet tried that, but I do need to print out a bunch of photos for my wall soon.

[@DavidHancock]

I had the chance to redo this today with different paper and their calibration cards. The printer refused to print anything that didn't have a Kodak calibration card in front of it. So yes, the different paper brands require a Kodak calibration card for use.

[@clairedolci]

Great review, have you also done a review of the different mini printers available? If so, please send me the link. Thanks!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and I have not. This was the one that I picked to use, so I've just been printing with it.

[@clairedolci]

Thanks@@DavidHancock is it the Kodak Smile? and would you recommend it? With the canon paper? X

[@DavidHancock]

@@clairedolci Yes to all three. I would get at least one pack of Kodak papers in case you need the calibration card from it.

[@clairedolci]

@@DavidHancock thank you! X

[@sadiec8899]

So you can use any zink paper on the kodak printer\printomatic instant cam? :) just curious! Cuz i have the kodak printomatic :)

[@DavidHancock]

Yes you can but you need a Kodak calibration sheet to trick the Kodak camera onto using it. That's what I do.

[@sadiec8899]

Ohh! Thank you so much! :) Thank you for your vid too! :)

[@youchoobplz]

Thanks for doing the work for us! I just bought this same printer (with Kodak Zink) and was horrified at the print quality. It didn't look like the Kodak ones you had in this video. I'm wondering now if it has something to do with how the photos were taken (actual DSLR camera vs. iPhone 11 .HEIC photo)? Were any of the photos you sampled taken by a phone camera by any chance? Thoughts? Thanks again :)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I believe all my photos were from a DSLR. I would not be shocked to learn that HEIC images from a current iPhone would be problematic. I think that image codec is newer than the software in this printer. One way to find out if I'm wrong is to convert them to jpeg, re-save them to your phone, and try reprinting them. If they look good then you know the file type is to blame. If they still look bad then something else, likely with the iPhone app, use going wrong.

[@mars9399]

This is really really helpful, why are there not enough likes????

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@gabby2082]

do you think I can use different paper for a polaroid printer only if they’re the same size ?

[@DavidHancock]

Yukon can but I assume that you'll need a calibration card of that brand that matches your printer's brand. I'm basing that assumption on the fact that this printer will not print off the paper has a calibration card that isn't Kodak.

[@kristyblatchley2443]

Would this work for a photo booth at a party or would you think the printers would over heat?

[@DavidHancock]

I would think not. You'd need to reload the paper every 10 shots. I suspect that the paper supply would run out pretty quickly, too, if the partygoers had the app on their phone and just started printing.

[@kristyblatchley2443]

@@DavidHancock Thank you. Did not take note that you could only load 10 sheets at a time. I would have a set device there for the pics with the app. would not advertise the app to guests. Treat it more like the polaroids you see sometimes at parties. My main concern was it overheating. I appreciate the feedback.

[@MsIslandV]

This review is JUST what I needed to see! So do you think the technology of different brands of photo printers themselves also play a role in the quality of the prints? Are are they all the same and it is really the zink quality that make up the different brands of paper that matter the most?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I don't know exactly what makes them different, if it's the paper, the printer, or both. I suspect that it's more likely there is a slight difference in the photo paper than in the hardware.

[@MsIslandV]

@@DavidHancock thanks! I have a HP Sprocket 100 and the Polaroid Zip...so was wondering if the Ivy is better quality...or should I try Canon paper in them. I have a TON of sprocket paper though that I bought on sale...so I a should probably use it up

[@nicolasaworcester3282]

Heyy, have you tried the Xiaomi Zink Paper?

[@DavidHancock]

I have not. Honestly, this is the first I heard they had some.

[@nicolasaworcester3282]

Yes they even have their own printer but it isn't that well-known, anyways, thanks for the comparison it was really helpful!

[@tw3179]

This is great. It comparison for all different sink with same printer.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Ashley__Rose]

So if I buy Canon Zink, keep the Kodak Zink blue paper and use that one instead? Sorry I feel like this is ELI5 (explain like I’m 5) 😭

[@DavidHancock]

Correct. The printer needs a Kodak calibration sheet regardless of the actual paper brand.

[@Ashley__Rose]

@@DavidHancock thank you 😬

[@lalalo6962]

Have you tried xiaomi zink paper?

[@DavidHancock]

@@lalalo6962 I have not.

[@unicornsteak]

Thanks for this incredible, thorough review. I can’t find a video on your channel reviewing any mobile printers. I’m curious which one you would recommend? Have you used different ones? Do you recommend the Kodak SMILE as a good, all-purpose mobile printer. I like that it takes different photo papers.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! The Smile is there only one that I've used, so I can't compare it to others. I do like it and use it a bunch. I've found that some photo papers adhesives don't hold up well over time. The Kodak papers are doing well in that regard, though.

[@brandiwilliams761]

What exactly was that Canon printer?

[@DavidHancock]

I used the Kodak Smile printer for this.

[@mattphilip4595]

I suspect the calibration sheet is actually a brand checker and nothing more.

[@DavidHancock]

May well be.

[@scottlivesey1470]

This video was very informative! Thanks for your help.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@neilwilliamson87]

So does that mean all the brands of paper work in the different brand cameras?

[@DavidHancock]

They should but may require that a different brand of calibration paper be used.

[@lunadyke6873]

Well I dont think you can say which is better but all produce different qualities that affect a photos mood, sometimes you want that high contrast or maybe have greens pop more or maybe even lines? Really great video everyone else making comparison videos dont know how to shoot a video lol

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I agree that the slightly different looks could be really useful for different moods or aesthetics.

[@rodalynocs5238]

Please review the new KODAK Step with all of these zink photo :D

[@DavidHancock]

If I pick one up, I will.

[@Mikeguevy]

The life print had the best looking photos all the time. Sharp, natural tones On my iPad Pro screen. All else looked pink and soft. 😮

[@DavidHancock]

Interesting and thank you!

[@ScutuRC]

Thanks for this comparison. I would have preferred to see on the table a phone with the each image that you show prints - so we can compare with the digital - without having to scroll to the beginning of the video. Also, somehow the light from you widow was too bright - the prints with the dog barely show the grass, everything looks burn out, unless you cover with your hand and the shadow let us see more details. Hope this will help you in the future to bring better quality videos! For now, it think I'll got with the Canon Ivy printer! Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@cookieofchaos]

Do all of them turn into a sticker if you peel the back off?

[@DavidHancock]

Yes. Some, I've found, though I can't tell you which, peel off the artboards I use for collages. Some don't. They all seem to be fine for sticking on most materials, though

[@cookieofchaos]

@@DavidHancock woah, I posted that comment only an hour ago o.0 thanks for answering my question! XD

[@TheLeiPol]

Thanks David for all the effort making this very informative video comparison. I also have an older Polaroid Z2300 Zink printing camera. On one battery charge I could just print 10 pictures and the battery was empty. If I plugged into the mains adapter I could print on and on until it stopped due the need to cool down. What I noticed then was that when it got quit hot the colors of the prints on Polaroid Zink became more pinkish. On occasion I also have used HP paper on the Polaroid and indeed that gave a slight other hue. Have not yet used other paper on the Kodak Printomatic camera, only the Kodak Zink brand. Zink paper is very sensitive even after printing, these don't like warm environment. I keep unused Zink paper in the fridge.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I wonder if print order had anything to do with the color cast. But oddly, I printed the Canon photos last and they didn't show a color cast.

[@TheLeiPol]

David Hancock Probable my experience is due to the Polaroid Z2300 Zink print camera. As far I remember I got it in 2012 and in electronics that’s quit long ago. I’m sure the technology has progressed for the printers used in the cameras and separate printers. Power consumption is heavy with the Z2300. It has a screen. It’s not necessary to print every picture, that could be done later. Being on the walk it was not even possible to print 10 pictures. I always carried 2 extra batteries with me and charging could only be done in the camera when connected to the mains. Your video was very, very helpful. I sure will try the Canon paper out.

[@lifehackertips]

I love that you did this review, but I’m very disappointed in zink because the color differences between printers and papers are so different that the photos don’t look like the originals at all

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and they don't. I suspect a lot of that stems from the resolution loss and the small format, however. I do think that they look better in person mostly because if you watch this on a large enough screen you're seeing images larger than the prints.

[@stampydragon2739]

If you get the unbranded zink zero inc paper it'll work in all and has the most consistent colour

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@zajac2tom]

Great test! it does help to learn more about zink products and technology. It helps to understand that using other brands paper does not brakes printer or paper. After watching it makes me think if the overheating printer could influence the printing result and quality. There is reason why can load 10 pieces of paper and was probably not designed to nearly continues printing. Zink paper does use temperature to produce desire color so perhaps printer that prints allot operates at higher temperatures and change the picture. Another thought is about calibration paper. Since all papers are produced by the same company, and the standard is the same, then those cards are marketing trickery to make us buy only original genuine paper ... Does anybody decoded what those barcodes really saying? perhaps says: original paper use proper times and temperature... if not - overheat on magenta or shorten the time 9n green etc.... also do all cards look the same or they have slight difference. I mean cards from the same company.... just thinking that if they are different, then "they" will know that the card is reused and set printer to alter quality of prints.... and all to make us use genuine paper :-)

[@DavidHancock]

Generally, yes. I do think that the different pattern on the cards tells the printer when to and not to print, also. I ran into that with mine where it would not print with other calibration cards. Also, the color of the card has some effect. I tried some experiments photocopying a Kodak calibration card on to card stock of a similar weight but different colors and the printer would not recognize the photocopied card. I did that to see if I could get the printer to print bizarre colors.

[@mrcalomx]

@@DavidHancock Hi, but if you photocopied the kodak card in same blue color will work? I have not the blue card but have PRYNT paper... can I use it with a photocopied kodak card on my Kodak step printer? Thanks :)

[@DavidHancock]

@@mrcalomx I couldn't get the photocopied ones to work. I didn't try other experiments.

[@jennheibloem7469]

wow oh wow this is a fantastic video I learned so much thankyou

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@GypseaSoul13]

Incredibly helpful (and surprising!) video. Thank you!!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!