Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer Review: Your Pocket Scrapbooking Companion

We’ve all been there. Your smartphone’s camera roll is a sprawling, endless archive of life’s best moments. Sunsets from a memorable holiday, a child’s first steps, a candid laugh shared with friends over dinner—thousands of precious memories, all trapped behind a screen. We promise ourselves we’ll do something with them, maybe create a photo album or frame a few. But life gets in the way, and these digital ghosts remain unseen, buried under an avalanche of new photos and screenshots. This digital hoarding robs us of the tactile joy of holding a memory in our hands. The risk isn’t just that these moments are forgotten; it’s that they are never truly appreciated, shared, or displayed in the physical world where they can spark daily joy. The solution is to bridge that gap between the digital and the tangible, and that’s precisely the problem a high-quality portable photo printer aims to solve.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Photo Printer

A portable photo printer is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for transforming fleeting digital moments into lasting physical keepsakes. In a world saturated with screens, these devices offer a return to the nostalgic and deeply personal experience of holding, sharing, and displaying printed photographs. Their primary benefit is immediacy. At a party, on vacation, or during a family gathering, you can capture a moment and, minutes later, hand someone a vibrant, physical copy. This instant gratification is perfect for scrapbooking, journaling, creating personalised gifts, or simply decorating your space with fresh memories. It’s about making your photos an active part of your life again, not just passive data on a device.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who loves crafting, memory-keeping, or giving thoughtful, personalised gifts. Scrapbookers, journal enthusiasts, parents wanting to document their children’s milestones, and event planners will find a device like this indispensable. It’s for the person who sees a photo not just as a file, but as the raw material for a creative project. On the other hand, it might not be suitable for those who need large-format prints for framing or professional photographers who require gallery-level colour accuracy and resolution. If your primary need is printing 8x10s or A4 documents, a dedicated desktop photo printer would be a far better, more economical choice. For those who simply want to archive photos digitally, cloud storage is the most practical solution.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Print Technology & Quality: The two main technologies in this space are Dye-Sublimation (Dye-sub) and ZINK (Zero Ink). Dye-sub, used by the Canon SELPHY line, layers colours (yellow, magenta, cyan) one at a time and finishes with a protective overcoat. This process produces vibrant, true-to-life colours that are resistant to smudging, water, and fading. ZINK paper has dye crystals embedded within it that are activated by heat, which is convenient but can sometimes result in less accurate colours and prints that are more susceptible to fading over time.
• Portability & Power: A truly portable printer needs to be compact, lightweight, and have a reliable internal battery. Consider the device’s dimensions and weight—can it genuinely fit in a small bag or a large pocket? Check the battery life, usually measured in the number of prints per charge, and how it recharges. USB charging offers the most flexibility, allowing you to power up from a laptop, power bank, or wall adapter.
• Cost Per Print: This is perhaps the most significant long-term factor. The initial price of the printer is only part of the investment. You must calculate the cost of the proprietary paper and ink cartridges (or paper, in the case of ZINK). Divide the price of a refill pack by the number of prints it yields to get your cost per photo. This can range from moderately expensive to very pricey, and it’s a cost that will dictate how freely you use your printer.
• App & Connectivity: These printers are controlled almost exclusively via a smartphone app over a wireless connection (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). The quality of this app is paramount. A good app should be intuitive, connect to the printer reliably, and offer valuable creative tools like cropping, filters, text overlays, borders, and collage layouts. Read reviews specifically mentioning the app’s performance, as a buggy or limited app can ruin the entire experience.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer stands out in several areas, particularly its use of superior Dye-sublimation technology. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek, Simple, and Ready to Create

Unboxing the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer felt like opening a piece of minimalist, modern tech. Our white model was sleek and compact, with a smooth finish and a satisfying heft that suggested quality construction without being heavy. At just 0.4 kg and roughly the size of a small paperback book, its portability is immediately apparent. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a short Micro USB charging cable, a user manual, the paper cassette, and a starter pack containing an ink cartridge and a mere three sheets of photo paper. This was our first small disappointment; a three-print “starter” feels more like a tease than a genuine trial. It’s crucial for any buyer to purchase a full paper-and-ink pack alongside the printer, or the fun will be over almost as soon as it begins.

The design is clean, with a single power button and status light on top and neatly concealed doors for the ink cartridge and paper cassette. Loading the ink is a simple click-in process, and the paper cassette slots in just as easily. There’s a certain charm to its simplicity; it doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is—a dedicated device for one specific, joyful task. It immediately feels less like a piece of office equipment and more like a creative tool, ready to be tossed in a bag for a weekend trip or brought out at a party to capture the fun in real-time.

A Deep Dive into the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer’s Performance

After our initial impressions, we spent several weeks putting the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer through its paces. We printed dozens of photos—portraits, landscapes, action shots, and low-light candids—to truly understand its capabilities, limitations, and overall user experience. This isn’t just a printer; it’s an entire ecosystem, from the physical hardware to the companion app, and every part plays a role in the final, tangible result.

Setup and Connectivity: From Box to First Print

Getting started with the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is designed to be straightforward, and for the most part, it is. The first step is charging the device via the included USB cable. Once powered up, you download the free Canon SELPHY Photo Layout app from your phone’s app store. The physical setup is a breeze: the ink cassette slides into a side compartment with a satisfying click, and the photo paper is loaded into its dedicated cassette, which then snaps onto the front of the printer. We did heed the advice of one user who amusingly noted their initial confusion with the ink cartridge: do not pull on the clear plastic film! It’s part of the mechanism. The app guides you through the Wi-Fi setup, which involves connecting your phone directly to the printer’s own Wi-Fi network. For us, this process was seamless and took less than two minutes. However, it’s worth noting that several users have reported frustration with this step, describing connection failures or app pairing issues. One user mentioned that a problematic software update caused connectivity problems, which were only resolved by finding and installing an older version of the app. While we didn’t experience this, it suggests that Canon’s app stability can occasionally be a weak point. Once connected, though, the process is wonderfully simple: select a photo, edit it in the app, and hit print.

Print Quality and Longevity: The Dye-Sublimation Difference

This is where the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer unequivocally shines and justifies its premium positioning. The printer uses dye-sublimation thermal transfer technology, a process far superior to the ZINK technology found in many of its competitors. Watching it print is a fascinating little mechanical ballet. The paper, with its tear-off border, slides in and out of the printer four times. With each pass, a different colour layer is thermally transferred from the ink ribbon to the paper: first yellow, then magenta, then cyan. The combination of these layers creates a full-colour, continuous-tone image with rich depth and impressive accuracy. The final, fourth pass applies a clear protective overcoat. This final layer is the secret weapon; it seals the photo, making it resistant to fingerprints, water, and smudging right out of the printer. Canon claims these prints are archival-quality and will last up to 100 years, a bold claim that speaks volumes about the technology’s durability. In our tests, the results were consistently excellent. Colours were vibrant and true to the source image on our phone screen. Skin tones were natural, and landscapes popped with detail. We did note one user review that complained of prints being “grey/darker” and “not that sharp.” While we couldn’t replicate this—our prints were crisp and vivid—it’s possible that the quality of the source photo plays a huge role, or that they received a faulty unit or ink cartridge. For us, the quality was a world away from the often-muted, slightly flat look of ZINK prints, delivering a proper photographic feel that you can see for yourself in your own prints.

The SELPHY App and Creative Experience: Beyond Just Printing

A portable printer is only as good as its companion app, and Canon has done a commendable job with the SELPHY Photo Layout app. It serves as the complete command centre for the printer. The interface is clean and intuitive. Upon selecting a photo from your camera roll, you’re presented with a well-designed editing suite. You can easily crop and position your image within the square frame, a crucial first step. The app includes a range of creative options that elevate it beyond a simple utility. There are ten different filters, various border styles (including the ability to change the border colour), and a selection of stamps and overlays to add a bit of fun and personality. The text tool is also surprisingly robust, allowing you to add captions in different fonts and colours. One of our favourite features is the layout option, which lets you create small collages of two, three, or four images on a single print. This is perfect for capturing the story of an event on one sticker. As one user aptly put it, the app is “seriously impressive” for its editing capabilities. While another user found the app “very limiting,” we feel this depends on expectations. It’s not a professional photo editor like Photoshop, but for its intended purpose—quick, fun, and creative edits for scrapbooking and sharing—it hits all the right notes. It transforms the act of printing into a mini design project, making each photo feel unique and personalised.

Portability and Day-to-Day Use: Your On-the-Go Companion

The core promise of the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is the ability to print high-quality photos anywhere, anytime, and it delivers on this promise exceptionally well. Its compact form factor makes it incredibly easy to pack. We took it on a weekend trip, and it fit into a small backpack pocket with room to spare. The built-in battery is rated for approximately 20 prints, a number we found to be accurate in our testing. While this may not last through a multi-day festival, it’s more than enough for a party, a day out, or an evening crafting session. Recharging with a standard power bank extends its utility indefinitely. The real magic, however, lies in the paper itself. Each 2.7″ x 2.7″ photo has a peel-and-stick back. This simple feature is a game-changer for crafters. You can instantly add photos to a travel journal, a scrapbook, a planner, or even use them to decorate laptops, phone cases, or a fridge. This sticky backing removes all friction from the creative process. The main consideration in day-to-day use is the running cost. As several users pointed out, the paper and ink packs, which typically yield 20 prints, are not cheap. This is a premium product with premium running costs, and it’s something to be mindful of. It’s not for printing hundreds of photos casually; it’s for mindfully selecting and printing your most cherished moments.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user feedback for the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer paints a picture of a product that delights when it works but can frustrate when it doesn’t. The most consistent praise is directed at the print quality. One user gushed, “This machine is AMAZING! I have an Instax camera because I love polaroids and now I can print my favorite pictures right away without having to print them in a cheap quality.” Many, like us, highlight the convenience of the sticky-backed paper for scrapbooking. Another reviewer celebrated rediscovering “the pleasures of the photo that you can exhibit and offer.”

However, the experience isn’t universally perfect. The most common complaints centre on two key areas: the paltry starter pack and connectivity issues. “It arrived nicely packaged… with three sheets of paper,” one user noted, a sentiment echoed by many who felt short-changed by the sample pack. The second point of friction is the Wi-Fi setup. One user detailed a “30 min of struggle” to pair the device, while another had to resort to finding an old version of the app’s software after an update broke the connection. Finally, the running costs are a frequent concern, with one user stating, “The only thing I think is that is expensive as far as ink and paper are concerned as you dont get that much.” These reviews confirm our findings: it’s a brilliant device for quality-conscious creators, but be prepared to buy supplies immediately and have a little patience with the initial app setup.

How the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer Compares to the Alternatives

The portable photo printer market is competitive, and the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer faces stiff competition from established players. Understanding the key differences is crucial to making the right choice for your specific needs.

1. HP Sprocket 3×4 Inch Photo Printer

The HP Sprocket 3×4 offers a compelling alternative primarily through its print size and technology. It uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, which means you never have to worry about ink cartridges—only the special paper. Its 3×4 inch rectangular prints are significantly larger than the Canon’s square format, making them more traditional and perhaps better suited for wallet photos or small frames. Like the Canon, the Sprocket’s paper is also sticky-backed. The trade-off is in print quality. While convenient, ZINK prints generally lack the colour depth, vibrancy, and archival longevity of the Canon’s dye-sublimation output. The HP Sprocket is the better choice for someone who prioritises a larger, more conventional photo size and the convenience of inkless printing over absolute image quality.

2. INSTAX mini LINK2 Smartphone Printer

The INSTAX mini LINK2, available in various colours including this Space Blue, caters to a different aesthetic. It prints on iconic, credit-card-sized INSTAX Mini film, delivering that classic, slightly dreamy, retro “Polaroid” look. The focus here is less on perfect colour reproduction and more on fun and nostalgia. The LINK2 app is packed with playful features, including “INSTAXAiR,” which lets you draw in the air with the printer and have it appear on your print. It’s faster than the Canon, popping out a print in about 15 seconds. This printer is for the user who loves the distinct INSTAX aesthetic and prioritises speed, fun, and social features over the true-to-life, archival-quality prints produced by the Canon.

3. INSTAX Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer

This is functionally identical to the Space Blue model above, simply offered in a different colour (Soft Pink). The choice between them is purely cosmetic. The INSTAX Mini Link 2 platform as a whole is a direct competitor that champions a different philosophy. While the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is a tool for preserving memories with high fidelity, the INSTAX Mini Link 2 is a tool for creating fun, shareable moments with a distinct, stylised look. If you plan to scrapbook with a vintage vibe or want to hand out party snaps that feel like classic instant photos, the INSTAX line is an excellent choice. If your goal is to create beautiful, lasting stickers for a journal that accurately reflect the colours of your original photo, the Canon remains the superior option.

The Final Verdict: A Premium Choice for Quality-Conscious Crafters

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is a top-tier portable photo printer for a specific type of user. If your priority is print quality, longevity, and creative application for projects like scrapbooking or journaling, it is arguably the best device in its class. The dye-sublimation technology produces stunning, vibrant, and durable photos that ZINK-based competitors simply cannot match. The sticky-backed paper is a brilliant, practical feature that makes creating with your photos effortless and fun.

However, this excellence comes at a price—both in the initial purchase and, more significantly, in the ongoing cost of consumables. The limited starter pack is a definite drawback, and potential app connectivity hiccups require a bit of patience. It’s not for the casual user wanting to print hundreds of photos on a whim, but for the discerning memory-keeper who wants to turn their very best digital shots into beautiful, tangible objects that will last a lifetime. For scrapbookers, travellers, and new parents, it is a truly wonderful tool for bringing memories to life.

If you’ve decided the Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Photo Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.