The Epson PM-400 - it's about the size of a large hard cover book. I've taken it to crops many times. The prints are great, it easily connects to my iPhone, multiple print sizes (4x6, 5x7 and 3.5x5). There are apps that will allow you to make collages of smaller pictures on a 4x6 print - so you can have 2 3x4 pictures, 4 2x3, etc.
I use an EPSON PM 400 to print pictures. It’s a great little printer - it’s easy to connect to your phone, tablet or computer, you can print multiple sized photos, the quality is terrific!
It’s not exactly inexpensive though - the printer is around $200 and the per print cost is approximately 44 cents.
When I use to send out for prints, I would order different sizes, orientations, sometimes with a black & white option plus pay for shipping. Now I print on demand so I know exactly what I need for the layout.
If you're on a budget, you could go with a Canon Selphy 1500 (battery sold separately otherwise it's plug-in) or Epson PictureMate PM-400.
Note that you can buy Canon Refurbished or Epson Certified ReNew to save some money in the U.S.A. I've bought products from both in the past and their refurbished gear is in like-new condition with all the necessary accessories.
DNP Photo printers are specially made for on-site photo printing at events. They can be expensive, so maybe search around if you can rent a printer on a per-day basis. I wouldn't buy one for one-time use or occasional events.
You'll probably want to "tether" your camera to a laptop via a tether cable. So images get passed to the computer quickly. You don't want to be constantly pulling out a memory card and sliding it into a memory card reader.
Tether Tools is the standard for tethering cables. I've heard good things about Area51 Tether Co. cables too.
Also make sure to buy a "jerk stopper" or tether guard that keeps the cable from getting accidentally ripped out of the HDMI port on your camera. Repairing a broken port can be expensive.
A tripod can make the photos more consistent. Also save your body from the strain of handholding a camera in the same spot for hours at an event.
Videos:
[I went PRINT Crazy! These [DNP] Printers Can Make You Money!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-4Zgjtip7o) by PhotoRec TV
[The best printer for your Photo Booth business: DNP DS-RX1HS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-uBAiZ_Xhw) by Natalie Daniels
[Best Photo Booth App to Start a Photo Booth Business: Simple Booth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA44NR2QCeQ) by Natalie Daniels
Then pair a printer with photo booth software like [dslrBooth / LumaBooth](https://dslrbooth.com). [Simple Booth](https://www.simplebooth.com/) is another one.
[The Booth Series](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqt3v-7OJAnq58yJ7dfoS_s0zBQh_6VI2) by Equine Photo School - These were some of the best photo booth training videos I could find. Most of the rest were over 10 years old lol. Even if you're not photographing horses, there's some good tips.
Hope this helps.
Came here to sing the praises of my own PM-400. I’ve had it for more than 10 years—it’s survived multiple cross-country moves and a couple years in a non-climate controlled garage and it’s still going strong.
I do Project Life/pocket pages-style memorykeeping and use mostly 3x4 and sometimes 2x2 and 4x6 photos so the limitation of the PM-400 not being able to print beyond 5x7 isn’t a huge deal to me.
Big recommend this printer for regularly printing smaller photos at home.
Epson PM-400 prints multiple sizes up to 5x7. The print app is easy to use. Ink cartridge is an all in one and cost about $35 for 100 prints which is the average number of prints per cartridge. It prints on anything that will work in an ink jet. It's a great portable small printer and I have one for crops. At home I use an Epson Eco Tank. I've had it 4 years this Christmas and have only bought ink refills once. I print all my pictures at home. It is an all in one print/copy/scan. Photos are excellent quality and resolution. It doesn't print bigger than 8.5x11.
Canon Selphy is going to be the best bang for your buck, but limited in size of prints and media. Canon Pixma or Epson PM-400 will offer more options as a portable ink jet. A regular Canon Megatank or Epson Ecotank is going to be the most cost effective in the long run if you print at home. I have an Epson Ecotank, print at home and have only refilled ink in my printer once in four years. It prints beautifully and also scans and copies. I also have the Epson PM-400 that I use as a portable printer when I attend crops.
The instant printers like instax or Zip are fun little printers. Good for one offs, but expensive and not quality high resolution prints.
I think your best option at that price point is a Canon Selphy (lowest price I see is $179). I had one a gen or two earlier and I stopped using because no driver support and I couldn't use it when I switched to a MacBook. No idea if that is still an issue. If all you want to print is pictures, it will serve you well. I look at the specs and it looks like it prints 4x6, 2.1x2.1, and label stickers. It prints using dye sublimation, so you have to use their dye/paper supplies ($32 for 100 4x6 prints). Price looks to be $179.
I personally use an Epson PM-400. It's a small inkjet that prints on any paper that you can use in an inkjet. It will print on 3.5x5 thru 5x7. It's portable and I use it at crops for printing photos, journaling, and any digital ephemera I have. It is an inkjet and the ink cartridge ($35) is an all in one that will print approximately 100 photos. Epson value glossy photo paper is $6.99 for 100 sheets. Printer is around $300. They typically go on sale at the holidays. All over, more expensive, but more versatility and works better if you have Mac products.
christinec68
