This Kodak Step photo printer review looks at a compact way to turn phone pictures into small, peel-and-stick prints.
The KODAK Step pairs with iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth or NFC and uses ZINK paper instead of ink cartridges.
KODAK Step Review Summary
The quick verdict
20,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsKODAK Step
A compact phone photo printer for scrapbookers and travelers who want editable, peel-and-stick prints without ink cartridges.
- Prints 2-by-3-inch ZINK photos on sticky-backed paper.
- Connects to iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text.
- A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
Pros
- Compact and light enough to carry in a bag for travel or events.
- Sticky-backed photos suit scrapbooking, journaling, and small decorations.
Consider before buying
- The 2-by-3-inch format is restrictive if you want photos large enough for prominent wall display.
- A full charge is rated for 25 photos, so plan charging around larger printing sessions.
Read the full review summary
The KODAK Step is built for casual printing from a phone: its palm-sized body weighs less than a pound, and its 2-by-3-inch ZINK paper has a sticky back for scrapbooks, journals, or small decorations.
A rechargeable battery is rated for 25 photos per charge, so it can suit short outings or craft sessions where bringing a larger printer would be inconvenient.
It makes the most sense for buyers who value portable, personalized keepsakes and already enjoy editing pictures on a phone.
The tradeoff is the small print format: this is for wallet-size snapshots and labels rather than larger wall prints, while the battery rating favors modest batches over a full day of frequent printing.
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 design and sub-pound weight make it easy to carry for trips, parties, or craft supplies.
Phone connectivity
Bluetooth or NFC pairing with iOS and Android gives phone users two wireless connection options.
Print format
The 2-by-3-inch sticky-backed format is handy for small keepsakes, but limits the size of each finished photo.
Editing tools
The app offers filters, borders, stickers, text, and collage creation for buyers who like customizing images before printing.
Consumable simplicity
ZINK printing avoids ink, toner, and ribbon purchases, although buyers still need compatible photo paper.
Battery batch size
The rechargeable battery is rated for 25 prints per full charge, which suits small batches better than sustained high-volume use.
Key Features and Specifications of KODAK Step
- Prints 2-by-3-inch ZINK photos on sticky-backed paper.
- Connects to iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text.
- A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
- The printer weighs less than a pound and is palm-sized.
- The paper uses embedded dye crystals, and ZINK printing does not require ink, toner, or ribbons.
Pros and Cons of KODAK Step
Pros
- Compact and light enough to carry in a bag for travel or events.
- Sticky-backed photos suit scrapbooking, journaling, and small decorations.
- Wireless pairing supports both Bluetooth and NFC on iOS or Android devices.
- The editing app includes several ways to personalize images before printing.
- ZINK paper removes the need to manage ink cartridges, toner, or ribbons.
Consider before buying
- The 2-by-3-inch format is restrictive if you want photos large enough for prominent wall display.
- A full charge is rated for 25 photos, so plan charging around larger printing sessions.
- The paper remains a required consumable even though the printer does not use ink, toner, or ribbons.
Who Should Buy KODAK Step?
Good fit
Choose the KODAK Step if you want spontaneous small prints from a phone for a travel journal, scrapbook, or party.
Its compact size, wireless pairing, and sticky-backed ZINK paper are aimed at making a quick physical keepsake from a digital photo.
It also suits creative users who want to crop, decorate, and arrange images in the app before printing.
The rechargeable battery supports a small portable batch, while ZINK paper means there are no ink cartridges to pack or replace.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your main goal is printing larger photographs for frames or wall display; the 2-by-3-inch paper is designed for small keepsakes.
Buyers planning repeated large batches should also account for the 25-photo full-charge rating and the need to keep compatible paper on hand.
KODAK Step Review Analysis
Small sticky-backed prints shape the use case
The 2-by-3-inch output is best treated as a compact memento format.
Peel-and-stick paper can go into a scrapbook or onto a small surface without a separate adhesive step, but the same format is a poor match when a photo needs to fill a frame or serve as a large display print.
App editing adds value before printing
The app makes the printer more appealing to users who want to decorate images before they become physical keepsakes.
Collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text cover common casual edits; this is a creative workflow rather than a substitute for a larger photo-printing setup.
Battery capacity favors modest sessions
The rechargeable battery is rated for 25 photos on a full charge.
That is a useful planning point for a portable printer, but buyers organizing a long event or printing many images should expect to manage charging and paper replenishment as part of the session.
ZINK keeps ink out of the packing list
ZINK uses dye crystals embedded in the paper, so there are no ink, toner, or ribbon supplies to replace.
Paper is still the ongoing consumable, making the Step simpler than an ink-based travel setup while leaving paper compatibility and replenishment as part of ownership.
Alternatives to KODAK Step
Portable Photo Printers alternative
25,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsHP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)
Choose the KODAK Step for Bluetooth or NFC pairing; choose the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition if simultaneous connections and its personalized printing indicator better fit a shared printing session.
- The HP Sprocket 2nd Edition supports simultaneous connections from multiple devices, has an LED that indicates whose photo is printing, and uses Bluetooth 5.0 with sleep mode to stay connected between prints.
- The KODAK Step pairs with iOS or Android through Bluetooth or NFC and prints 2-by-3-inch sticky-backed photos, so it fits the pocket-printer keepsake role.
Sticker-print alternative
25,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsHP Sprocket Select
Choose the KODAK Step for the smaller 2-by-3-inch format; choose HP Sprocket Select if its 2.3-by-3.4-inch print size better suits your preferred keepsake dimensions.
- The HP Sprocket Select prints 2.3-by-3.4-inch sticky-backed ZINK photographs from iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth 5.1, and its app includes editing tools such as frames and filters.
- The KODAK Step uses 2-by-3-inch ZINK sticky-backed paper for compact phone-photo prints.
Is KODAK Step Worth It?
The KODAK Step is worth considering if you want a portable, phone-connected printer for small sticky-backed keepsakes. Bluetooth or NFC pairing, app-based personalization, and ZINK paper simplify the casual print workflow without ink cartridges.
Its fit depends on accepting 2-by-3-inch output and a 25-photo full-charge rating.
For larger prints or extended batches, look for a printer with a format and power plan that match those needs; for travel journals and quick craft projects, the Step's compact design is a sensible match.
Your review at a glance
20,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsKODAK Step
A compact phone photo printer for scrapbookers and travelers who want editable, peel-and-stick prints without ink cartridges.
- Prints 2-by-3-inch ZINK photos on sticky-backed paper.
- Connects to iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth or NFC.
- The KODAK app supports collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text.
- A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.