Kids Instant Print Camera C3 – Ink-Free Thermal Printing Digital Camera with Paper and Crayons
Kids Instant Print Camera C3 – Ink-Free Thermal Printing Digital Camera
This kids instant print camera, listed by the supplier as the C3, takes a photo and prints it on a roll of paper held inside the body. It prints in black and white using heat, so there is no ink cartridge to buy or replace. Easy Life Markets sells it in six designs, each with two rolls of paper, five crayons and a lanyard, and each with or without a 32GB memory card.
The printing works the same way as a shop receipt printer. Thermal printing uses a heated print head on coated paper, and the paper darkens where it is heated. That is why the prints are greyscale and why the camera needs no ink. For a child it means a picture in the hand straight away, which can be coloured in, stuck in a scrapbook or given to a friend.
What Is in the Box
- 1 × camera
- 2 × rolls of printing paper
- 5 × crayons
- 1 × lanyard
- 1 × instruction manual
- 1 × 32GB memory card, on the options marked 32g only
The supplier does not list a charging cable or a mains adapter in writing. If either matters to you, ask us before ordering and we will confirm.
Options
- Blue, or Blue with 32GB card
- Pink, or Pink with 32GB card
- Dinosaur, or Dinosaur with 32GB card
- Flamingo, or Flamingo with 32GB card
- Orange Deer, or Orange Deer with 32GB card
- Pink Bunny, or Pink Bunny with 32GB card
The designs differ in colour and in the artwork on the body. The camera inside is the same.
Specifications
- Model reference: C3
- Functions: Taking photos and printing them
- Photo size: Listed as 4000 × 3000 pixels
- Printing: Black and white thermal printing, no ink required
- Battery: Built-in rechargeable, listed as 1500 mAh
- Charging time: About 1.5 hours
- Battery life: About two hours, as listed
- Body material: ABS plastic
- Size: 131 × 95 × 43 mm
What the Supplier Does Not State
We would sooner point out the gaps than fill them with guesses.
- Age range. No recommended age is given. See the safety notes below.
- Screen size. No screen size is listed.
- Video recording. The supplier lists photos and printing only, so we do not list video.
- Paper width. The size of the paper roll is not stated. Ask us before buying refill paper elsewhere, so you get the right width.
- Memory card type. The supplier does not name the card format or say whether the camera stores photos without a card. If you choose an option without the card, check with us what it accepts.
- Wireless features. The supplier's specification does not list WiFi or Bluetooth, so we do not claim either.
How the Prints Look
Prints come out in black, white and shades of grey on thin paper, much like a till receipt. Faces and outlines show up well. Fine detail and dark scenes do not. The five crayons in the set let children colour the prints in afterwards, which for many of them is half the fun.
Thermal paper has a few habits worth knowing:
- It prints on one side only. If a print comes out blank, the roll is usually in the wrong way round. Take it out and turn it over.
- Heat and strong sunlight darken or fade it. Keep prints out of a hot car and away from radiators.
- Prints that matter are worth photographing or keeping in an album sleeve, because thermal prints can fade over the years.
On the options with a memory card, the photo is also saved as a digital file, so a favourite picture can be copied to a computer from the card and printed in colour elsewhere.
Getting Started
- Charge the camera fully before the first use. The supplier lists about an hour and a half.
- Fit the memory card if your option includes one.
- Open the paper compartment, drop in a roll with the loose end feeding out, and close the cover over the end of the paper.
- Switch on, frame the picture and press the shutter.
- Follow the manual for the print button and settings. Let the print finish feeding before tearing it off.
Show a younger child how to hold the camera still for a second after pressing the shutter. Most blurred pictures come from moving too soon.
Safety Notes for Parents
- The supplier gives no age grading. Decide on suitability yourself and supervise young children.
- A lanyard round the neck can catch. For small children, use it as a wrist strap or leave it off.
- Crayons, paper rolls and a memory card are small items. Keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.
- Charge the camera yourself and do not leave it charging on a bed or sofa.
- The print head warms up in use. Children should not poke fingers or objects into the paper slot.
Looking After It
- Wipe the lens with a soft dry cloth. Fingerprints are the usual cause of hazy pictures.
- Keep the camera dry. No water resistance is listed.
- Store spare paper somewhere cool and dark.
- If the camera will not be used for a while, charge it every couple of months to keep the battery healthy.
Who It Suits
Children who like making things with their hands: scrapbooks, cards, journals, and pictures for the fridge. It also works well at parties and on trips, where a printed picture can be handed over on the spot. Parents who want a first camera that is not a phone will find it does one simple job.
Common Questions
Does it print in colour? No. Thermal printing is black and white. The crayons are for adding colour by hand.
Does it need ink? No. It needs only thermal paper.
How many prints does a roll give? The supplier does not state a number, so we will not guess one.
Is it a branded instant camera? No. It is an unbranded camera from our supplier. It does not use instant film and is not connected with any instant film camera brand.
Can photos be saved without printing? Photos are digital files, and the options with a 32GB card store them on it.
Buy the Kids Instant Print Camera at Easy Life Markets
Choose the design and card option above. The current price and availability are shown on this page. Please read our return and refund policy before buying, and contact us with any question about paper or memory cards.
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