Product Reviews

Kodak Step Review: A Pocketable Printer for Sticky-Back Phone Photos

A portable choice for turning phone photos into small, editable sticky-back prints, with tradeoffs in print size and charge capacity.

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This Kodak Step photo printer review looks at a compact way to turn phone images into small, sticky-back prints. Its Bluetooth or NFC pairing and editing app suit buyers who want to personalize photos before printing.

Kodak Step Review Summary

The quick verdict

Kodak Step
4.4/5

20,000+ ratings

Read Amazon Reviews

Kodak Step

A portable choice for turning phone photos into small, editable sticky-back prints, with tradeoffs in print size and charge capacity.

  • Prints 2” x 3” ZINK sticky-back photos with embedded dye crystals.
  • Pairs with iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth or NFC.
  • The app offers collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
  • A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.

Pros

  • Bluetooth or NFC pairing supports a direct phone-to-printer workflow.
  • Zero-ink ZINK printing avoids separate ink, toner, and ribbon replacements.

Consider before buying

  • The 2” x 3” output is compact, so buyers wanting larger keepsake prints should consider another format.
  • A full charge is rated for 25 photos, which may call for recharging during heavier printing days.
Read the full review summary

The Kodak Step is a portable, rechargeable printer for making small color photos from an iOS or Android device.

ZINK paper has embedded dye crystals, so printing does not require separate ink, toner, or ribbons; the sticky backing also makes prints useful for decorating notebooks, cards, or other surfaces.

It is best suited to casual printing, travel, and craft projects where small adhesive prints matter more than larger keepsake photos.

The built-in battery is described for 25 photos on a full charge, so frequent batches may require planning around recharging.

The buying factors

Kodak Step Scorecard

Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.

8/10

Phone connectivity

Bluetooth or NFC pairing with iOS and Android devices makes phone-based printing central to the design.

6/10

Print format flexibility

The 2” x 3” sticky-back format is convenient for compact projects, though it limits buyers seeking larger photos.

8/10

Ink-free workflow

Embedded dye crystals and zero-ink printing avoid separate ink, toner, and ribbon supplies.

8/10

Editing tools

The app supports filters, borders, stickers, text, and collages for buyers who like to customize images before printing.

8/10

Portability

A palm-sized body weighing less than a pound is suited to packing for trips or craft sessions away from home.

5/10

Batch printing between charges

The stated full-charge capacity is 25 photos, which may be limiting for long printing sessions away from a charger.

Key Features and Specifications of Kodak Step

  • Prints 2” x 3” ZINK sticky-back photos with embedded dye crystals.
  • Pairs with iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth or NFC.
  • The app offers collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
  • A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.
  • The printer is palm-sized and weighs less than a pound.
  • The package includes a micro USB charging cable, starter ZINK paper pack, quick start guide, and limited warranty.

Pros and Cons of Kodak Step

Pros

  • Bluetooth or NFC pairing supports a direct phone-to-printer workflow.
  • Zero-ink ZINK printing avoids separate ink, toner, and ribbon replacements.
  • Sticky-backed prints work for albums, crafts, or decorating surfaces.
  • Built-in app tools allow image customization before printing.

Consider before buying

  • The 2” x 3” output is compact, so buyers wanting larger keepsake prints should consider another format.
  • A full charge is rated for 25 photos, which may call for recharging during heavier printing days.
  • For frequent prints, check the ongoing cost and availability of compatible ZINK paper before buying.

Who Should Buy Kodak Step?

Good fit

Choose the Kodak Step if you want a portable phone printer for compact photos that can stick onto craft pages, cards, or other surfaces.

Bluetooth or NFC pairing supports a simple mobile workflow, and the app adds editing before printing.

It makes sense for travelers, scrapbookers, or casual users who value printing without separate ink supplies and can work within a small print format.

The included starter paper gives a starting point, while the rechargeable battery supports printing away from an outlet.

Who should skip it

Skip it if your priority is larger photo prints: the Kodak Step uses a compact 2” x 3” sticky-back format. That size works for small crafts and keepsakes, but may not suit display prints or larger album layouts.

Also look elsewhere if you regularly need to print more than 25 photos between charges; the battery capacity may mean pausing to recharge during a large project.

Kodak Step: What the Compact Format Means for Buyers

A phone-first printing routine

Bluetooth or NFC pairing lets compatible iOS and Android devices send images to the printer, while the app adds creative steps before output.

This setup is a better match for people who already keep photos on a phone than buyers seeking a standalone camera or desktop printing workflow.

Small prints with adhesive utility

The 2” x 3” paper keeps output compact and adds a peel-and-stick use case for journals, craft projects, and casual decoration.

That convenience comes with a clear format boundary: this is better for small personal prints than buyers who want larger photos for framing.

Paper and power planning

The ZINK process removes the need for separate ink, toner, or ribbon, but paper remains the consumable to plan for.

The rechargeable battery is rated for 25 photos on a full charge, making the Step more appropriate for short batches than extended printing without access to charging.

Portability for casual projects

Its palm-sized, sub-pound design is geared to travel and on-the-go photo projects.

The included charging cable and starter paper help get a first session underway, although buyers planning a large project should account for extra paper and charging breaks.

Alternatives to Kodak Step

Sticker-print alternative

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)
4.5/5

25,000+ ratings

Read Amazon Reviews

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)

Pick the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition if group printing and a print-status light are useful; stick with the Kodak Step if NFC pairing is a priority alongside Bluetooth.

  • HP Sprocket 2nd Edition also prints 2x3-inch sticky-backed phone photos and can connect multiple devices at once; a personalized LED indicates whose photo is printing.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 and sleep mode keep it connected between sessions.
  • The Kodak Step makes 2” x 3” sticky-back phone photos and pairs over Bluetooth or NFC.

Sticker-print alternative

HP Sprocket Select
4.5/5

25,000+ ratings

Read Amazon Reviews

HP Sprocket Select

Choose HP Sprocket Select if a larger print area and app-based frames and filters better fit your projects; the Kodak Step suits buyers who prefer its 2” x 3” print size and Bluetooth or NFC pairing.

  • HP Sprocket Select prints larger 2.3” x 3.4” sticky-backed photos and pairs with iOS and Android over Bluetooth 5.1. Its app provides frames and filters for personalizing pictures.
  • Kodak Step uses 2” x 3” sticky-back ZINK paper for phone photos.

Is Kodak Step Worth It?

The Kodak Step is worth considering if you want a pocketable printer for small, sticky-back phone photos and value an ink-free workflow with app editing. Its compact form and wireless phone pairing suit casual travel and craft use.

Buy it for portable, personalized mini prints if 2” x 3” output and 25 photos per charge fit your routine. Choose another printer if larger prints or longer sessions between charges matter more.

Your review at a glance

Kodak Step
4.4/5

20,000+ ratings

Read Amazon Reviews

Kodak Step

A portable choice for turning phone photos into small, editable sticky-back prints, with tradeoffs in print size and charge capacity.

  • Prints 2” x 3” ZINK sticky-back photos with embedded dye crystals.
  • Pairs with iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth or NFC.
  • The app offers collages, filters, borders, stickers, and text customization.
  • A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is rated for 25 photos per full charge.

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Kodak Step

Kodak Step

A portable choice for turning phone photos into small, editable sticky-back prints, with tradeoffs in print size and charge capacity.

  • Prints 2” x 3” ZINK sticky-back photos with embedded dye crystals.
  • Pairs with iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth or NFC.
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