Featured Favorite Product #5: Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer
September’s favorite writing product is:
Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer
Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. What in the world does a photo printer have to do with writing books?
Well, let me tell you!
If you’ve followed my writing journey for any length of time, you probably know that I’m a pen-and-paper kind of girl. I write my manuscripts by hand before typing them into my writing software, and I also keep handwritten character information sheets for my books. These sheets contain everything from my characters’ physical appearances and personality traits to their relationships, backgrounds, habits, and other important details.
But there’s another element I like to incorporate into my character development process: visual inspiration.
And that’s where my little Kodak Step comes in!
What Is the Kodak Step?
The Kodak Step is a compact, portable photo printer that allows you to print pictures directly from your smartphone. It connects to your phone using Bluetooth, so there’s no need to transfer your photos to a computer or connect a bunch of cords.
One of my favorite things about this little printer is its size. It’s small enough to fit comfortably in your hand, making it convenient to keep nearby whenever you’re working on a project.
The Kodak Step uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, which means you don’t have to worry about purchasing or replacing ink cartridges. Instead, the color-forming materials are already embedded in the special photo paper and activated during printing.
No ink cartridges. No toner. No mess.
And y’all know I love convenience!
The printer produces 2-by-3-inch photos, which happen to be a great size for the character information sheets I use. The photos also have adhesive backing, so you can peel off the protective layer and stick them directly onto your paper.
No glue sticks. No tape. No extra steps.
Just print, peel, and stick!
How I Use It for My Writing
When I’m developing characters for a new book, I like to have a clear picture of who they are. And I don’t just mean knowing their names, ages, and physical descriptions. I mean being able to actually see them.
I create character information sheets that allow me to document everything I need to know about each person in my story. These sheets serve as reference materials throughout the writing process, helping me maintain consistency as the story develops.
For example, if I’ve established that a character has honey-brown eyes, a particular hairstyle, or a specific tattoo, I don’t want to get halfway through the manuscript and suddenly describe them differently.
That’s where having both written descriptions and visual references becomes incredibly helpful.
I find inspiration photos that represent how I envision my characters, print them using my Kodak Step, and add them directly to their information sheets.
And baby, when I tell you it makes a difference!
Instead of having to scroll through hundreds of photos on my phone trying to remember which image I chose for a particular character, I can simply pull out their information sheet and have everything right in front of me.
Their appearance, background, personality, relationships, and photograph are all together in one place.
It’s organized, convenient, and exactly how I like my writing materials.
But It’s Not Just for Characters!
Another way I use my Kodak Step is for setting inspiration.
When I’m building the world my characters live in, I like to visualize their surroundings. Their homes, businesses, neighborhoods, and other important locations all contribute to the atmosphere of the story.
Sometimes I’ll find a picture of a house that perfectly matches what I have in mind for a character’s residence. Other times, I’ll find images of interior spaces, furniture, or businesses that help me establish the setting.
Rather than keeping all those images saved on my phone, I print them and add them to my visual reference sheets.
This is particularly useful when I’m writing descriptions. If I’ve already established what a character’s living room looks like, I can reference that image instead of trying to recreate the details from memory every time the setting appears in a scene.
And let’s be clear: these pictures aren’t necessarily exact representations of real places in my stories. They’re visual inspiration that helps me create the fictional environments I’m imagining.
It’s one thing to write that a character lives in a beautiful mansion. It’s another thing entirely to have a visual reference that helps you describe the architecture, rooms, landscaping, and atmosphere in a way that brings the setting to life.
How Does It Work?
Using the Kodak Step is pretty straightforward.
First, you’ll need to download the Kodak Step Prints app onto your smartphone. Once you’ve charged the printer and connected it to your phone through Bluetooth, you can select the photos you want to print.
The app also offers editing options, including filters, borders, stickers, and other ways to customize your photos before printing.
Once you’re satisfied with your picture, send it to the printer, and your photo will print in less than a minute.
That’s it!
One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to purchase the special ZINK photo paper designed for the printer. Although you won’t have to purchase ink cartridges, the photo paper is a recurring expense.
Also, because this is a compact printer, don’t expect the same photo quality you’d get from a professional photo lab or a high-end photo printer. The Kodak Step is designed for small, convenient prints, not large, gallery-quality photographs.
For my purposes, though? It does exactly what I need it to do.
Why I Love It
One of the things I’ve learned about my writing process is that organization and creativity don’t have to exist separately.
I love having everything neatly arranged, but I also enjoy making my writing materials visually appealing. My character sheets aren’t just pages filled with information. They’re part of how I develop and connect with the people and places I’m creating.
Adding photographs gives those pages another dimension.
And because I write my manuscripts by hand, I appreciate tools that work with my existing process rather than requiring me to change it.
The Kodak Step allows me to incorporate digital images into my physical writing materials without having to print full-sized photographs, cut them down, or go through a bunch of unnecessary steps.
Could I use this printer for scrapbooking, journaling, planners, and other creative projects? Absolutely!
But right now, its job in my little writing world is to help bring my characters and settings to life.
And it does that job beautifully.
My Final Thoughts
If you’re a writer who enjoys creating character profiles, inspiration boards, or physical reference materials, the Kodak Step might be worth looking into.
Of course, it’s not something every writer needs. Some people prefer keeping everything digital, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if you’re like me and enjoy having physical materials you can write on, organize, and flip through while working, this little printer can be a convenient addition to your writing supplies.
I love being able to open my character information sheets and see the people and places I’ve imagined right there on the page.
It makes my writing process feel a little more personal, a little more organized, and a whole lot more creative.
And that’s why my Kodak Step has earned its place among my favorite writing products.
Who would’ve thought a tiny photo printer could have such a big role in building a fictional world?
Well, now you know! 👑
