There's something really special about printing out a tiny photo of your coffee, your cat, or last weekend's little adventure and sticking it right into your journal. It makes the page feel like yours. But the mini photo printer world is packed, so we broke down six popular options to help you pick the one that actually fits your setup!
Why Print Your Own Photos for Your Journal?
Printing your own photos is honestly one of the easiest ways to personalise a spread without spending a ton. Instead of staring at a blank page, you've got a real memory to build around. Pair that mini print with a couple of stickers, a strip of washi, and suddenly you've got a spread that feels completely yours. It's affordable, it's creative, and it gives every page a little piece of your real life.
Here Are The Printers Broken Down
We compared five printers across print quality, size, price, and how well each one works for a journaling or planning setup. If you want a quick side-by-side glance, we put everything into a comparison chart:
Polaroid Hi-Print Gen 2 (CAD $149.98 / ~USD $110) prints 2x3 photos with a peel-and-stick back, which honestly feels like it was designed with journalers in mind. The prints are laminated and look great, and there's even an optional retro border if that's your thing. It's a little slow, and the film gets pricey over time.
Get it here: https://www.polaroid.com/en_ca/products/hi-print-2x3-printer
Canon Selphy CP1500 ($199.99 CAD / ~$150 USD). The grown-up of the group, it's not pocket-sized, but it prints everything from postcard size down to tiny square labels. The quality is beautiful and the prints actually last. Great for a home journaling desk but not so great for on-the-go.
Canon Ivy 2 (CAD $159.99 / ~USD $120) is small, sticky-backed, and uses zero ink, which keeps the running costs pretty low. The prints can come out a little cool-toned and slightly faded, but for daily journaling where you just want something cute and quick, it does the job really well without making a dent in your budget.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo (CAD $279.99 / ~USD $205) is a camera and printer in one, so you can shoot directly from the device or print from your phone. It's the priciest option upfront and the film adds up, but if you want gorgeous quality and the convenience of two tools in one, it's a really solid investment for memory-keeping.
Get it here: https://www.instaxcanada.ca/cameras/instax-mini-evo/
HuiJuKeJi Thermal Printer (CAD $39.99 / ~USD $30) is in a completely different lane from the others. It's a tiny thermal printer that uses a continuous sticky roll, prints in black and white only, and the photo quality is more functional than beautiful. But for doodles, habit tracker labels, to-do strips, and little decorative elements, it's actually really fun to use, and at under $40 CAD, it's great as an add-on.
Best in Each Category
🏆 Best overall for journalers: Polaroid Hi-Print Gen 2. Sticky back, great print quality, perfect size for spreads.
📸 Best for photo album lovers: Canon Selphy CP1500. Multiple print sizes and beautiful quality make it worth the desk space.
💸 Best budget-friendly: HuiJuKeJi. Under $40 CAD, zero ink, and endlessly useful for labels and functional spreads.
📝 Best for beginners: Canon Ivy 2. Easy to use, pocket-sized, and the refills won't break the bank.
🏅 Best all-in-one: Fujifilm Mini Evo. Camera and printer in one pretty package.
Making Your Spreads Even Cuter
Once that printed photo is down, it becomes your anchor for the whole page. Frame it with washi, surround it with your favourite stickers, jot down a date or a little caption, and suddenly one photo has carried an entire spread. Whether your style is moody and minimal or bright and sticker-packed, there's a printer out there that fits, and a sticker sheet to match.
Pick the one that feels right for you, grab your favourite pen, and go make something you love. 💛
1 comment
Are the gratitude sheet stickers included in the ultimate subscription plan