I love taking photos. I love the creative process and I love the artistry of photography. I’m no pro, and I prefer to use my smartphone more than a real DSLR, but I love the end results. But if I’m like a lot of folks, I don’t do much with the photos when I’ve taken them. I use them for work, or look back at great vacation shots now and then, but for all the 30,000 photos on my cloud, I don’t have a lot of physical copies. That’s where a photo printer can come in handy. I recently got my hands on a Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer that prints small glossy photos. I’ll tell you what the device can do, how it works and let you know whether I think it’s a good way to make the most of all your digital photos.
Set Up: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer
Setting this printer up was much easier than the last time I tried a Fujifilm Instax printer. There’s a new app for starters, the Fujifilm instax mini Link app, which appears to be new since the Instax Share app.
In this case, turn the printer on and follow the easy instructions. You’ll pair the printer with your phone and then you’re ready to go. It took less than 30 seconds.
From there, you’re ready to print.
Photo size:
This printer prints small 3” x 2” photos (Film size : 86 mm x 54 mm, Image size : 62 mm x 46 mm ) that are about the size of a credit card, with a paper border.
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How to print with Fujifilm Instax Mini Link
To print a photo, you’ll choose a picture, make any adjustments to it or add some simple filters. Then hit print. In 12 seconds, the photo will spit out and start to develop.
It takes just about a minute to fully render; that’s quite fast compared to some other similar technology.
Features: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer
Features: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printerThere are a few printing options with the Mini Link photo printer
Video Print
You can easily print a photo from a video frame within the app. That saves you having to edit it on your phone first.
Fun Mode
You can print photo collages, you can line photos up to print as a mosaic, and more using the app.
Sharing print duties
You can have up to five people sharing the printer. The designated owner can grant print access to friends so anyone can share their shots. There’s also a bunch of different frames, drawings and art effects too.
Photo quality: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer
I have to say, I found the photo quality of the Instax prints to be really good. They’re clear, crisp and detailed and look just as good as other more traditional photos. There was no blurring, no ghosting and no issues with the sample film pack I used. On another similar photo printer, the Polaroid Lab (read the full Polaroid Lab review here) I had quite a few bad printouts. You can check that review out here on the channel.
Motion Sensor for quick print
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer has a built in motion sensor, and to this I say… why?
If you orient the printer in certain ways it will automatically do things. If you turn the printer upside down and press the power button it will reprint your last INSTAX photo. I guess that’s meant to be a shortcut, but not one I think I’d ever use.
Film Cost: Fujifilm Instax film
Film for the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer comes in 10-packs and comes in colour, black and white and with different colour borders. A pack of 10 costs about $14CAD or about $1.40 per print. This is significantly less than that the Polaroid Lab prints which cost about double that.
Overall review : Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer
Overall there’s a lot to like about this printer. It’s compact and you can bring it anywhere. It will fit easily in a bag or purse. It prints fast; in about 12 seconds, and it develops fast too – in about a minute. The photo quality is great and the prints won’t break the bank. It’s easy to set up and use too.
I don’t really see any downsides to this printer, except if I was being nitpicky; it will only print the one size of photos. But with other options like colour border film, and black and white printing you do have options.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer sells for about $99USD and you can get it from places like Amazon.
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