Life moves fast, doesn’t it? We capture countless moments on our phones, yet so often, they remain digital ghosts. I found myself with thousands of photos stuck in my camera roll, rarely seen or shared in a tangible way. It was a frustrating problem; these memories felt less impactful just living on a screen. Finding a practical way to bring those digital snapshots into the real world, especially on the go, felt like a challenge that needed a solution, otherwise, all those precious moments risked being forgotten in the endless scroll.
- Print and customize your photos directly from your smartphone or tablet via the Canon Mini Print App.(1)
- No ink needed! The IVY 2 Mini Photo Printer uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, which features colorful dye-based crystals embedded inside the paper.
- Place your photos anywhere, thanks to a PEEL & STICK backing that adheres to your favorite surfaces.
What to Think About Before Getting a Photo Printer
For anyone tired of their cherished photos being confined to phone screens, a portable photo printer is a fantastic way to unlock those memories. These devices are designed specifically to bridge the gap between your digital library and the physical world, offering the ability to print snapshots directly from your smartphone or tablet. The ideal candidate for a mini photo printer is someone who loves scrapbooking, journaling, decorating their space with pictures, or simply enjoys the instant gratification of holding a physical print shortly after taking a photo. They’re perfect for events, parties, or just casual everyday use.
However, a portable photo printer might not be the best fit for everyone. If you primarily need to print large, high-resolution photos for professional purposes, or if you require prints with absolute perfect colour accuracy matching professional labs, these small format ZINK printers likely won’t meet your needs. For those users, a traditional inkjet or dye-sublimation printer designed for larger formats might be a better, albeit less portable, option.
Before you buy, consider print size (most portables use 2×3 inch paper), print quality (while improved, it won’t match traditional methods), connectivity (Bluetooth is standard), paper cost (ZINK paper can be pricier per print than ink cartridges), battery life, and the features of the accompanying app, as this is often key to the user experience, offering editing and creative tools.
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- World’s fastest personal photo scanner (1) — scan thousands of photos as fast as 1 photo per second at 300 dpi (2); batch-scan up to 36 photos at a time
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third Party cartridge or ink. Cartridge described as compatible, remanufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at all
Meet the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer
The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer is Canon’s answer to the desire for instant, portable prints. It’s a compact device designed to let you print photos directly from your compatible iOS or Android device using the Canon Mini Print App. The promise is simple: turn your digital photos into physical, sticky-backed prints quickly and easily, anywhere you are. When you purchase the Ivy 2, you typically get the printer itself, a starter pack of ZINK photo paper (usually 10 sheets plus a SMART SHEET), and a USB-C charging cable.
Compared to its predecessor, the original Canon Ivy, the Ivy 2 boasts several improvements, notably enhanced print quality with better skin tone colours, improved photo contrast, and optimized sharpness. It also features better connectivity thanks to Bluetooth 5.0 technology. While it competes in a market with other brands offering similar ZINK technology printers, Canon’s long-standing reputation in photography and printing gives it a certain appeal. This particular photo printer is definitely for the casual user who values portability and fun over professional-grade quality. It’s not for someone needing large prints or perfect colour accuracy straight out of the box.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons based on my use:
Pros:
* Extremely portable and lightweight (only 145 grams).
* Uses ZINK technology, meaning no messy ink cartridges to worry about.
* Photos have a convenient peel-and-stick backing.
* Improved print quality and faster connectivity compared to the previous model.
* Canon Mini Print App offers fun editing and collage options.
Cons:
* Print quality, while improved, is not professional grade and can sometimes show colour shifts (like excess redness).
* Battery life can drain relatively quickly, especially with heavy use or left on.
* Some users have reported occasional technical glitches like lines appearing on prints or app connectivity issues.
* Cost per print can add up due to the proprietary ZINK paper.
* Getting customer support from Canon can sometimes be challenging.
Deeper Dive: Exploring the Ivy 2’s Capabilities
Having used the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer for a good while now, I’ve really gotten a feel for what it does well and where it falls short. It’s become a regular companion for everything from journaling to creating quick photo gifts. Let’s break down the key features and how they perform in real life.
ZINK Technology: The Inkless Wonder
One of the biggest draws of this miniature printer is its reliance on ZINK (Zero Ink) technology. This means the printer itself doesn’t need any ink cartridges, ribbons, or toner. The colour is embedded within the special ZINK paper in the form of dye crystals. The printer uses heat to activate these crystals, revealing the image on the paper. This is incredibly convenient because it drastically simplifies the printing process – no fumbling with ink replacements or worrying about clogged print heads. You just need to keep a supply of ZINK paper on hand. The benefit here is pure simplicity and portability; without ink, the printer is lighter and there’s less mess to deal with on the go. Loading the paper is straightforward, typically involving placing the included blue SMART SHEET™ followed by the stack of photo paper into the tray. The SMART SHEET helps calibrate the printer for optimal print quality.
Peel-and-Stick Backing: Instant Decoration
Every single print that comes out of the Ivy 2 is automatically a sticker. The back of the ZINK paper has an adhesive layer covered by a peel-off backing. This feature is brilliant for creative projects. Whether I’m adding a photo to my journal, decorating a card, personalizing a laptop case, or creating quick labels, the sticker format makes it incredibly easy. It eliminates the need for glue sticks or tape, keeping things clean and simple. This peel-and-stick capability is probably the feature I use the most, transforming ordinary photos into tangible pieces that I can place almost anywhere. It adds a level of fun and utility that a standard non-adhesive print wouldn’t offer.
Canon Mini Print App: Your Creative Hub
The entire experience of using the Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer revolves around the Canon Mini Print App, available for iOS and Android. This app is much more than just a print driver; it’s a complete editing suite designed for these small prints. Within the app, you can access your photo library, select images, and then dive into a world of customization before you hit print. You can crop and rotate photos, adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, and apply various filters (including black & white or a vivid look).
But where the app really shines is its creative options. You can add frames, text, emojis, and pre-designed stickers to your photos. There’s also a drawing tool if you want to add freehand elements. For printing multiple photos on one sheet, the app offers collage and tile print options. The collage feature lets you arrange several photos on a single 2×3 print, often with different layout templates. The tile print feature lets you print a larger image across multiple 2×3 sheets that you can then assemble. I’ve spent a lot of time playing with the collage maker, finding it really useful for summarizing events or themes on a single sticker. While some content within the app requires payment, there’s a generous amount of free editing tools and decorative elements to keep you busy. The ability to make custom stickers from other photos in your phone is also a neat touch for more personalized creations.
Improved Print Quality: Looking Closer
Canon specifically highlights improved print quality in the Ivy 2 compared to the original. They mention optimized skin tone colours, improved photo contrast, and optimized photo sharpness. In my experience, the prints are definitely clearer and have better definition than earlier portable ZINK printers I’ve used. Skin tones generally look natural, and details are reasonably sharp for the 313 x 400 dpi resolution on such a small format. The colours are generally vibrant, fitting for casual snapshots.
However, this is also where some of the limitations of ZINK technology and this specific printer become apparent. While improved, the colours printed by the Ivy 2 don’t always perfectly match what you see on your phone screen. Specifically, I’ve noticed, as have other users, that prints can sometimes come out with a slightly warmer or redder cast than the original image. This isn’t a dealbreaker for casual prints, but if you need perfect colour fidelity, you might be disappointed. Learning to compensate for this by slightly adjusting the colour balance (like decreasing warmth) in the app before printing can help mitigate this issue, but it adds an extra step. There have also been rare instances, according to user reports, where lines can appear on prints, though this hasn’t been a consistent issue for me personally.
Portability and Connectivity: Print Anywhere, Anytime
The physical design of the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer is a major selling point. At just 145 grams and with dimensions of roughly 119D x 20W x 84H millimeters, it genuinely fits in your pocket, purse, or a small bag with ease. Its compact size means you can take it to parties, events, on vacation, or just have it ready to print moments as they happen. The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity provides a stable and relatively fast connection to your smartphone or tablet, making the process of sending a photo from your camera roll to the printer quick and seamless. I found the connection process through the app to be straightforward – power on the printer, open the app, find the device via Bluetooth, pair, and you’re ready to go. The improved Bluetooth version does seem to offer a more reliable connection than some older portable printers.
Battery Life and Charging: A Minor Setback
The Ivy 2 charges via a standard USB-C cable, which is convenient as it’s a widely used port. Canon states it can reach a full charge in as little as 45 minutes. However, battery life is an area where portable printers, including this one, can sometimes fall a bit short, especially if you’re printing a lot of photos in one session. While sufficient for printing a few batches, I’ve noticed the battery can drain relatively quickly if the printer is left on for extended periods, particularly while you’re spending time editing photos in the app before printing. If you plan on printing a large number of photos at an event, it’s wise to start with a full charge or have a power bank handy to plug it in. It’s not a dealbreaker for casual use, but worth noting for heavy printing sessions.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking online, many people who have purchased and used the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer share positive experiences. Users frequently express satisfaction with the print quality for a portable device and love the convenience of the sticker backing for various crafts and decorations like journaling or scrapbooking. The Canon Mini Print app’s extensive editing and collage features are also often highlighted as a major plus, adding a fun creative layer to the printing process. However, consistent feedback includes comments about colour accuracy, with some noting prints can appear redder than the original photos, requiring pre-print editing. Some users have also reported occasional issues such as lines appearing on prints after a period of use, connectivity glitches with the app, or wishing the battery lasted longer. Despite these points, the general sentiment remains positive, with many finding the printer to be a worthwhile purchase, especially when found on sale.
Final Thoughts and Where to Find It
Capturing memories on your phone is one thing, but bringing them to life in a physical format is another entirely. Without a way to easily print and share those moments, they risk staying hidden away on your device. The Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer offers a fantastic solution to this modern problem. Its portability, inkless ZINK technology, and creative app make printing photos fun and accessible. Despite minor drawbacks like potential colour shifts or occasional battery limitations, its convenience and ease of use make it a great tool for anyone looking to add a tangible dimension to their digital photos, whether for journaling, decorating, or sharing. If you’re ready to start peeling and sticking those memories, Click here to check out the Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer .ca.
Last update on 2025-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API