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!

[@PetriciaVLubs]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@amouramarie]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.)

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@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,

[@mars9399]

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

[@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.

[@timhi2558]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@stampydragon2739]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@HeatherTwist]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@beemeat]

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

[@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 👍

[@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.

[@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.

[@pattyfowler9987]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@tj.henderson]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Carlie_flower]

This is exactly the video I needed! Wow this is awesome thank you so much! I just bought some zink and just bought the cheapest kind because I assumed they were all the same! I think mine is straight from zink though. Very good to know if I want to do some slightly better prints in the future. I'm so surprised! Edit: this video is so helpful I'm gonna like and sub haha thank you so much

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@inesSarria]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Gracias!

[@themeeksheep4198]

Amazing! Suuuper helpful! Thank you so much! I’ve been debating which one to get for too long now XD

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@diidimeh]

Incredibly helpful video! Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@kymx1975]

Amazing review, thanks for the insight 😊👌🏾

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@toml7775]

I think the LP paper is the best, most natural images. green grass and sharper pic.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@camillechan9405]

Super detail comparison thanks so much

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@daxdivinia]

Thank you! This video was so helpful 🙏🏼

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@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!

[@maxillariadendrobulum4079]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@TheShaggyfrog]

I know this is an older video, but your HP link goes to Kodak.

[@DavidHancock]

Weird. The link must have been updated by HP at some point. Thank you!

[@candyjones7851]

All in all good review. Definitely informative. Just a couple thoughts. I like very much there is not a music background as it always grates on my nerves. The sound quality could be a little better. Also it wold be a little better prepared, started to lose my attention after couple of minutes.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and yes, I agree about the sound (I've gotten a much better mic since this was filmed) and this is an outlier in that most of my videos are either outlined or scripted.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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.

[@brandiwilliams761]

What exactly was that Canon printer?

[@DavidHancock]

I used the Kodak Smile printer for this.

[@golddetector01]

Unless it's my monitor but I prefer the Lifeprint out of all of them the rest seem to have a reddish tint

[@DavidHancock]

Could be your screen's color settings. But if the LPs look best to you, go for them. The important part of a print is how it looks to you.

[@NachoDCB78]

Thanks for the comparison 👍✌️

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@rodalynocs5238]

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

[@DavidHancock]

If I pick one up, I will.

[@aat10Kyoko]

thank you for this

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Ashley__Rose]

Have you tried it with a Kodak step printer?

[@DavidHancock]

Nope

[@jernejsrebrnic]

Great video review, thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@mariannemahlert4557]

Very helpfull, Thank you 👍

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@claudiadelgado4965]

Thanks for the video! 🙏🏻

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@emiliooelckers1817]

Graet. Thank you very much

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@lizkimber]

Would be interesting to see you redo this test using each of the cards for the appropriate paper

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@gutrali]

I think you missed a BIG point. The calibration sheets are not only designed to enable manufacturers to digitally lock their printers down to only their brand of paper, but they also carry calibration information like color correction between variations in printers or in paper. The calibration sheet will make up for the shifts in color you are noticing by telling the printer to adjust for these variables. By using the same calibration sheet (from a different pack of paper) for all of your tests with other paper... you are the cause of the color shifts, not the paper!! Unfortunately you wouldn't be able to run the other boxes of paper if you tried to use the correct color sheet. What you really should have done for this test is to have a printer from each brand, use that brands paper, and THEN USE that brands cal sheet with ALL the other papers. Now that you have this matrix of differences, you can more accurately point out color quality between paper and between printers. Please consider doing this test again with this in mind

[@DavidHancock]

Valid and correct point and I concur. I would love to do that test but, honestly, the cost would be way too high. Three peppers are around $70-100 per, plus paper. Back-of-the-napkin estimate is a supplies cost of around USD $800. With the repay rate of monitized videos, I wouldn't recoup my investment for more than a decade.

[@TheCoomer]

Thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@InfamousPeanut]

A calibration sheets method of barcoding is different from brand to brand. So no, the calibration sheet from Canon will not work for Kodak and vice versa. The calibration sheet adjusts the printers heat transfer to compensate for variation in a given batch of papers chemistry. Knowing this, if you use the same calibration sheet for different batches of paper, even of the same brand, you would get varying results because the printer is not calibrated. Unfortunately, the only thing that this video demonstrates is how well your current calibration sheet worked with various brands and batches of paper.

[@DavidHancock]

Which in and of itself is also very good to know.

[@FloydNashFixItDad]

Interesting, but I think the entire test is invalid. If you use the calibration page from one paper, of course the other ones may not look right. Unless you use the calibration page specifically for that paper, your results may be WAY off what they should look like. All you've managed to do is test what effect the calibration page from one paper has on others. I would like to see this entire test re-done properly using the calibration page from each paper with that specific paper and see what kind of difference it makes. Not trying to be harsh, just trying to apply good, basic scientific testing principles. Even getting different batches of the same brand could come with differences in the calibration page designed to provide the best results for that batch.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you. The papers all come from the same factory off the same production line, so I would submit there will not be a great deal of variation between the brands..

[@FloydNashFixItDad]

@@DavidHancock I don't think I can agree with that. If the papers all came from the same production line, and especially if they had the same chemical formulation, then you would have had 5 identical results. The fact that you don't says one of 2 probable things is happening. 1 - they aren't made on the same production line or in the same factory. If so, then the chemical makeup of the paper would be different, which means you would need to use the calibration page specific to that formulation. 2 - they are made on the same line, but as with many other products where companies do that, they are made to the specifications of the company requesting the products. For instance, HP, Polaroid, etc could have their own chemical formulation for the paper, or tweaks to the ones that the original manufacturer would use. Again, this would also require the calibration page specific to that chemical formulation to achieve the proper results. It's basic science. I am betting that if you ran the experiment again using the proper calibration page, you would get different, and more accurate results. Using the wrong calibration page for each batch is bad science. Again, not trying to bash you, just use proper scientific methods, and I honestly would LOVE to see the experiment ran again with the calibration pages supplied with each package to verify the results.

[@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.

[@FloydNashFixItDad]

@@DavidHancock That doesn't make sense. If you bought that printer and only bought paper from other brands, IE, you didn't have a Kodak calibration card, are you saying the printer wouldn't function at all? That doesn't sound right. There is something there either with that printer, or the process you are using that isn't right.

[@DavidHancock]

@@FloydNashFixItDad That is correct and that is exactly what would happen. With the other brands' calibration card the app returns and error message that only Kodak paper works and then it refuses to print. Use the same exact sheets of paper with a Kodak card, no problems printing. The cards are different and that tells the printer whether or not to work.

[@Sabundy]

Geez....the Polaroid ones were generally terrible. Remind me to never buy Polaroid Zink paper. And I will definitely only be buying Canon Zink paper

[@DavidHancock]

I didn't care for those, either. I was shocked there was any difference, honestly.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@mattphilip4595]

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

[@DavidHancock]

May well be.

[@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.

[@jefferywilliams4209]

The tec is better but perfection not possible

[@maxillariadendrobulum4079]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Notmy00000]

❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Hitmanzay]

You are God sent

[@KathK9883]

The HP Zink paper box says that the HP Zink paper is waterproof and long lasting although I read some reviews some people claim that’s it’s not waterproof and their photos got smudged and ruined. I don’t know what to trust at this point. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@DavidHancock]

It's not ink, so I would expect it to have some water resilience. There may be other factors that cause it to smudge, such as paper or coating softening. But I haven't tried to see if they're waterproof or not.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@isamandarina578]

Thank you for this review, very helpful!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@KatiuskaWook]

I thought it was the printers fault but Thank you!! :) I will try Canon paper :)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@lalalo6962]

Have you tried xiaomi zink paper?

[@DavidHancock]

@@lalalo6962 I have not.

[@TheNoahNoah]

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

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@scottlivesey1470]

This video was very informative! Thanks for your help.

[@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 😬

[@ladyflimflam]

You hp link goes to Kodak.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you. I'll see if I can fix that.

[@reysolo3672]

Bummmp

[@DavidHancock]

Happens. 😀

[@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!