This Kodak Step photo printer review looks at a compact phone printer built for turning mobile photos into small, peel-and-stick keepsakes. Its appeal is strongest for buyers who want portable ZINK prints and creative editing in one workflow.
KODAK Step Review Summary
The quick verdict
20,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsKODAK Step
A compact phone printer for buyers who want quick, customizable sticky-back snapshots for scrapbooks, journals, and sharing.
- Prints on 2-by-3-inch ZINK sticky-back paper with embedded dye crystals.
- Connects with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
Pros
- Small, lightweight format is easy to take along for on-the-go printing.
- ZINK paper avoids separate ink, toner, and ribbon supplies.
Consider before buying
- The small 2-by-3-inch format is a poor fit when you need larger prints for framing or wall display.
- A full charge is rated for 25 photos, so long printing sessions may require battery planning.
Read the full review summary
The KODAK Step pairs Bluetooth or NFC connection with ZINK sticky-back photo paper, so it turns a phone image into a small print without separate ink, toner, or ribbons.
Its palm-sized, rechargeable design and included starter paper make it suited to casual scrapbooking, journaling, and sharing snapshots away from a desk.
The main tradeoff is the compact 2-by-3-inch print format: it favors small keepsakes and labels over larger display photos.
The app adds collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text, giving creative users options to personalize images before printing; buyers should also plan around the rechargeable battery's stated capacity of 25 photos per full charge.
The buying factors
KODAK Step Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Portability
The palm-sized body weighs less than a pound, making this a practical format for carrying to trips, parties, or crafting sessions.
Phone connectivity
Bluetooth and NFC pairing with iOS and Android broadens device compatibility for common smartphone workflows.
Print format
The 2-by-3-inch sticky-back paper works well for small albums, planners, and keepsakes, though it limits print size.
Ink-free printing
ZINK printing avoids separate ink, toner, and ribbon supplies, simplifying the material setup for casual use.
Editing options
The app supports collages and several ways to personalize a photo, which helps users prepare prints for crafts and gifts.
Battery capacity
A full charge is listed for 25 photos, a useful limit to consider for outings where recharging may not be convenient.
Key Features and Specifications of KODAK Step
- Prints on 2-by-3-inch ZINK sticky-back paper with embedded dye crystals.
- Connects with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
- The package includes a Micro USB charging cable, starter ZINK photo paper, and quick-start guide.
- Prints are designed to resist moisture, rips, tears, and smudges.
Pros and Cons of KODAK Step
Pros
- Small, lightweight format is easy to take along for on-the-go printing.
- ZINK paper avoids separate ink, toner, and ribbon supplies.
- Sticky-back prints can go directly into albums, journals, or onto craft surfaces.
- The app provides several straightforward ways to personalize images before printing.
Consider before buying
- The small 2-by-3-inch format is a poor fit when you need larger prints for framing or wall display.
- A full charge is rated for 25 photos, so long printing sessions may require battery planning.
- For repeated large batches, check paper availability and ongoing supply cost before settling on a ZINK printer.
Who Should Buy KODAK Step?
Good fit
Buy the KODAK Step if you want to print small phone photos for scrapbooks, planners, journals, or informal sharing.
Peel-and-stick paper makes each image useful as both a photo and a craft element, while the compact body is easy to bring along.
It also suits users who enjoy editing pictures before printing. The app's collage, filter, border, sticker, and text tools support a more personalized result than a simple phone-to-printer transfer.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your priority is larger photographs for framing, because the Step is built around compact 2-by-3-inch prints.
Consider another printing format if you expect to make long batches away from charging access; the built-in battery is rated for 25 photos on a full charge.
KODAK Step: What the Small-Print Design Means
A keepsake-sized format
The Step's 2-by-3-inch sticky-back media is naturally suited to small projects: a journal page, a scrapbook spread, or a casual handout.
It is less appropriate when the goal is a larger standalone photograph, so the intended destination for prints should guide the purchase.
A low-supply printing approach
ZINK uses embedded dye crystals in the paper and removes the need for separate ink, toner, or ribbons.
That can simplify packing and routine setup, although buyers should still account for the dedicated photo paper when estimating ongoing use.
Editing before printing
The companion app does more than send an image: it offers collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text.
That makes the printer a better match for craft-minded users who want to decorate a photo before placing it in an album or sharing it.
Planning around portability
The palm-sized, rechargeable design favors portable use, while the 25-photo full-charge rating sets a practical planning boundary for a day of printing. For a trip or gathering, bring charging access or keep the expected print count modest.
Alternatives to KODAK Step
Sticker-print alternative
25,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsHP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)
Choose the HP Sprocket if shared printing from several devices matters most; choose the KODAK Step if its collage and image customization tools better match your personal workflow.
- The HP Sprocket also prints 2-by-3-inch sticky-backed photos and supports simultaneous printing from multiple connected devices.
- The KODAK Step makes 2-by-3-inch sticky-back prints and emphasizes app tools for collages and photo customization.
Laminated-print alternative
12,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsKODAK Mini 2 Retro 2x3 Portable Photo Printer
Choose the Mini 2 Retro if you prefer 4PASS printing with a lamination layer and want a larger initial paper-and-cartridge bundle. Choose the Step if avoiding separate ink, toner, and ribbon supplies is more important.
- The Mini 2 Retro uses 4PASS dye sublimation, finishing each image with a protective lamination layer; its package includes cartridges and 38 sheets of photo paper.
- The Step uses sticky-back ZINK paper with embedded dye crystals and does not require separate ink, toner, or ribbons.
Is KODAK Step Worth It?
The KODAK Step is worth considering if your goal is a portable way to make small, customized sticky-back prints from a phone.
Its ZINK process avoids separate ink supplies, and the editing app adds useful creative choices for personal projects.
Buy it with clear expectations: the 2-by-3-inch format is for compact keepsakes, and the rechargeable battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
If those limits fit your plans, the Step combines portability, phone connectivity, and personalization in a focused mini-printer.
Your review at a glance
20,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsKODAK Step
A compact phone printer for buyers who want quick, customizable sticky-back snapshots for scrapbooks, journals, and sharing.
- Prints on 2-by-3-inch ZINK sticky-back paper with embedded dye crystals.
- Connects with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.