HP Sprocket Review: Photo Stickers Worth Gifting?
A pocket printer that turns phone photos into small sticky-backed prints, with no ink cartridges. The gift that gets a friendship's camera roll onto walls, laptops and journals.
Yes, for a best friend with a camera roll full of the two of you. The Sprocket prints sticky-backed photos straight from a phone over Bluetooth, with no ink [1]. Skip it if they want frame-size prints, and budget for refill paper.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Print size | 2 x 3 inches [1] |
| Paper | HP Zink sticky-backed, ten sheets included [1] |
| Ink | None, Zink zero ink technology [1] |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 [1] |
| Phones | Android 5 and up, iOS 10 and up [1] |
| Power | Rechargeable battery [1] |
| Size | 3.15 x 4.63 x 0.98 inches [1] |
| Warranty | One year limited [1] |
Pros and cons
- Prints from a phone over Bluetooth [1]
- No ink cartridges; color is in the Zink paper [1]
- Peel-and-stick backing turns photos into stickers [1]
- Several phones can connect for a print party [1]
- LED light shows whose photo is printing [1]
- Pocket size, fits a purse or backpack [1]
- Ten sheets of paper in the box to start [1]
- Prints are small, wallet size
- Refill paper adds up over time
- Needs the HP Sprocket app to work
Your camera roll, off the phone
Best friends take a lot of photos together and look at almost none of them. They sit in two camera rolls between screenshots and receipts. The Sprocket turns the good ones into something you can touch.
Unlike an instant camera, it prints only the photos you pick. No wasted shots of a blurry dinner, and old photos from years ago can come out too.
That makes it a gift about your history, not just about this Christmas. The first prints can be from the year you met.
Zink paper and the print party
The printer uses HP Zink paper, where the color lives in the paper, so there are no ink cartridges to buy or dry out [1]. Prints are 2 x 3 inches with a peel-and-stick back, so each one is also a sticker [1].
It connects over Bluetooth 5.0 and works with Android 5 and iOS 10 or newer [1]. Several phones can connect at once, and a colored LED shows whose photo is printing, which HP calls a print party [1].
The HP Sprocket app lets you add frames, text and doodles before you print [1]. The printer measures about 3 x 5 inches and runs on a rechargeable battery, so it travels in a bag [1].
Small prints, ongoing paper
The prints are wallet size. They look great on a laptop or a mirror, but they are not prints for a frame on the wall.
The box includes ten sheets of paper [1]. After that, refill packs are the running cost, so a pack of extra paper is a smart add-on to the gift.
Everything goes through the app. A friend who hates installing apps or has an old phone may find that part annoying.
Giving it with the first prints
Print five or six of your favorite photos together before you wrap it and tuck them in the box. They show what it does and make the gift personal before it is even switched on.
From this guide, it pairs with the ZEEYUAN scrapbook, since the sticky prints go straight onto its black pages. Add a refill pack of Zink paper and they can keep going all winter.
It also makes a strong gift for a best friend who just moved. They can print photos of the new place and send you the stickers.
FAQ
Does the HP Sprocket need ink?
No. The Sprocket prints on HP Zink paper, which holds the color inside the paper itself, so there are no ink cartridges [1]. You only need refill packs of Zink paper. The printer comes with ten sheets to start, and each print has a peel-and-stick back [1]
What size are HP Sprocket prints?
Each print is 2 x 3 inches, about the size of a wallet photo [1]. That suits journals, scrapbooks, laptops and mirrors, but it is too small for a standard frame. For bigger prints, a home photo printer or a print shop is the better choice [1]
Is the HP Sprocket a good gift for a best friend?
Yes, for friends who take lots of photos together. It turns your shared camera roll into stickers they can put anywhere, and several phones can print at once for a print party on a night in [1]. Print a few favorite photos before you wrap it so the gift feels personal [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition)
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.