Verdict: The HP Sprocket Studio Plus is a convenient phone-first printer for occasional, standard 4×6-inch photos. Its dye-sublimation output is attractive and broadly lab-quality, and the HP Sprocket app is easy to use. However, every print requires dedicated HP paper and a cartridge, printing is dependent on Bluetooth and the app, and real-world output is slower than HP’s headline figure. It is worth considering when simplicity matters more than the lowest cost per photo.
What the HP Sprocket Studio Plus is
The Studio Plus is a compact 4×6-inch dye-sublimation photo printer. Unlike smaller HP Sprocket models that use ZINK paper, it prints on dedicated 100×148 mm (4×6-inch) photo paper. Each sheet passes through the printer for cyan, magenta, yellow and a clear protective overcoat, producing a finished, borderless photograph.
HP rates the color output at 300 dpi and provides a 20-sheet input tray. The printer measures 210×135×90.5 mm and weighs 1.15 kg. It uses an AC adapter accepting 100–240 V input and delivering 24 V/2.5 A.
How printing works
Phone and app are required
Bluetooth 5.0 connects the printer to the HP Sprocket app, where you select, edit and send photos. The independent Fstoppers review describes the app as the only printing route; no conventional computer-print workflow is established for this model. If you want to print directly from a camera card, USB connection or a desktop operating-system dialog, this is the wrong type of printer.
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#1 Best Overall
- PHOTOS MADE TO LAST – Print quality photos that will last for years on tear-resistant, smudge-proof, waterproof paper.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR CREATIONS – Add your own style to each photo by decorate it with stickers, frames, filters, and more before you print them out.
- INSTANT PRINTING – Designed for efficiency and convenience, this printer will produce dry-to-the-touch 4x6” photos in an instant directly from your smartphone.
- WI-FI COMPATIBLITY – Download the user-friendly HP Sprocket app to your smartphone and easily connect your mobile device to Wi-fi-enabled printer in mere seconds.
- PICTURE-PERFECT PHOTO FEATURES – The HP Sprocket Studio Plus gives you several different and unique ways to take a photo. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a collage, do a photobooth, create a photo ID, and so much more.
Paper and cartridge path
- Load the dedicated HP Sprocket Studio Plus 4×6 paper in the tray.
- Install the matching CMY-plus-overcoat cartridge.
- Choose an image in the HP Sprocket app and send it over Bluetooth.
- The sheet makes multiple passes for the yellow, magenta, cyan and clear-coat layers.
- Remove the perforated side tabs for a borderless 4×6 print.
Print quality and speed
Quality
Independent reviewers found the Studio Plus produced attractive prints with broadly lab-quality results. Fstoppers judged practical quality differences small against Canon and Liene competitors, although its comparison prints showed a slight greenish-yellow tint. Color perception will vary with the source image, display and competing printer, so treat that tint as a reviewer observation rather than a universal defect.
Borderless alignment
TechRadar reported imperfect perforation alignment in all eight of its test prints: printing began about 5 mm over the perforation on the leading edge. Removing the tabs still gives a nominally borderless 4×6 photo, but edge framing can shift slightly from the intended crop.
Rank #2
- User-Friendly Portable Photo Printer for iPhone, Android & PC - Get beautiful and colourful memories with Liene 4x6 photo printer! After opening the entire package, you can find one cartridge + 20 sheets of photo paper (placed inside the machine packaging), as well as an additional box containing 80 sheets of photo paper (which includes two cartridges + 80 sheets of photo paper). Full package includes smartphone photo printer, Liene 4x6 photo printer papers (100 sheets), 3 colour cartridges, and fully sealed cassette to prevent dust. Minimalist and magnetic design for compact storage.
- Superior Quality 4x6 Photo Printer - Print photos like no other thanks to the thermal-dye sublimation tech adopted by the picture printer for iphone. The dyes deeply penetrate the paper for vibrant photo printing, and the laminated surface is resistant to water, scratches, fingerprints and fading. Clean the print head promptly if smudges are observed on printed photos during operation. Get Liene photo printers now for yourself and your loved ones, print your happy moments together and keep your love forever!
- Wi-Fi Photo Printer for Smartphone - The built-in hotspot of the photo printer makes it easy to print pictures from your phone, avoiding outside interference with a fast and stable connection. No other networks required! Simply connect your device to the independent instant photo printer 4x6 hotspot.
- Multiple Device Compatibility - Liene phone printer provides instant photo printing for up to 5 simultaneous connections. Share with family and friends or print from your different devices. No additional cables or Bluetooth required when printing photos with this picture printer. Note: Ensure the ink cartridge clicks into place before printing.
- Customize your Printing with the Liene App - Customize your photos with our specialized App! You can add a Square border, insert filters, enhance the contrast and brightness, check printing status, and more. You can even print your ID and Visa photos from home with this photo printer for iphone 4x6 prints.
Speed
| Measure | Result | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| HP official claim | Up to 61 seconds per print | HP 2019 datasheet; “up to” figure |
| Independent measurement | About 80–90 seconds | TechRadar test, measured from start to finish |
Expect roughly a minute and a half per photo in real use rather than planning around the 61-second maximum claim. The repeated color-layer passes explain why this is not an instant printer.
Consumables and ownership cost
The Studio Plus uses proprietary HP 4×6 paper and a matching cartridge, so consumables—not just the printer’s purchase price—determine its long-term value. The available evidence does not establish a verified current price or stock status for the exact printer or refill pack, and the number should not be inferred from an old product-listing price.
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Rank #3
- MADE BIGGER & BETTER - Fit more smiles and memorable moments into your picture with 4” x 6” paper. Use high-quality paper that shows off spectacular, colorful images at a grand size.
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED – This all-in-one pack comes with 108 sheets of photo paper and 2 ink cartridges so you can get back to printing amazing pictures as soon as possible.
- TIMELESS PHOTO PAPER – Load up your printer with durable, reliable 4 x 6” paper that will last a long time. Print beautiful photos on smudge-proof, waterproof & tear-resistant paper.
- STUDIO+ COMPATIBLE – A convenient, exclusive pack of paper and cartridges made for your HP Sprocket Studio Plus. Equip and load your quality printer with the very best.
- Dedicated media: ordinary 4×6 photo paper is not supported.
- Dedicated cartridge: the CMY and clear-coat layers come from the matching cartridge.
- Cost comparison: Fstoppers reported a high cost per print versus some competitors.
- Buying method: calculate the refill cost per finished 4×6 photo, including both paper and cartridge, before choosing the printer.
For occasional albums, parties or gifts, the convenience may justify the premium. For hundreds of prints, a competing 4×6 dye-sub model may offer a lower total cost.
Everyday usability
What works well
- The app provides a straightforward phone-based editing and printing workflow.
- Dye-sublimation output gives consistent, finished 4×6 photographs with a protective overcoat.
- The 20-sheet tray is suitable for a small batch without making the printer bulky.
- Bluetooth avoids a wired setup between phone and printer.
What can frustrate
- App dependence means printing is not available through a normal desktop or USB workflow described by the review.
- Fstoppers found the paper tray could push earlier prints off when subsequent jobs were sent, so collect photos promptly.
- Real output is slower than HP’s 61-second specification.
- Perforation alignment can leave the image starting approximately 5 mm over the leading edge, according to TechRadar’s eight-print test.
- Proprietary supplies make experimentation and low-cost bulk printing harder.
Who should buy it?
Choose the Studio Plus if
- You primarily print photos from a phone.
- You want standard 4×6 prints rather than small sticker-size images.
- You value a simple app and compact home setup.
- You print occasionally and accept the dedicated-supply cost.
Look elsewhere if
- You need the lowest cost per print.
- You want a display, memory-card support or broader input options.
- You need direct computer printing or a workflow independent of a phone app.
- You regularly print large batches and cannot wait 80–90 seconds per photo.
Alternatives to compare
Canon Selphy and other 4×6 dye-sublimation printers are the most relevant alternatives. Compare the complete ownership experience rather than the printer’s advertised resolution alone:
Rank #4
![HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer (2nd Edition) – Instantly print 2x3' sticky-backed photos from your phone – [Luna Pearl] [1AS85A]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RtiAqOy-L._SL160_.jpg)
- Instant photos on the go – Easily print your favorite adventures on 2x3" sticky-backed photo paper with this luna pearl smartphone-sized photo printer that's designed to easily slip into your pocket, purse, or backpack
- Get the print party started – Now you can connect multiple devices so you and your friends can print at the same time – plus the personalized LED light shows you whose photo is printing
- Augmented reality fun – Scan your Sprocket using your smartphone and the Sprocket app to view a virtual photo queue of print jobs; compatible with Android 5 and above / iOS 10 and above
- Share the moments – Share customized photo albums with friends using the HP Sprocket app and keep the fun going
- Personalize your prints – Decorate, design and print your social media photos with the HP Sprocket app so you can decorate your walls with your favorite photos
| Factor | HP Sprocket Studio Plus | What to check on alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 4×6-inch dye-sublimation, 300 dpi specified | Color consistency, overcoat and borderless cropping |
| Speed | HP: up to 61 seconds; TechRadar: about 80–90 seconds | Independent measured time per print |
| Inputs | Bluetooth through HP Sprocket app | Screen, USB, Wi‑Fi, card slots and desktop support |
| Supplies | Dedicated HP paper and CMY/overcoat cartridge | Combined paper-and-ink cost per 4×6 photo |
| Handling | 20-sheet tray; collect prints to avoid tray push-off | Tray capacity and output handling |
Bottom line
The HP Sprocket Studio Plus does its core job well: it turns phone photos into attractive 4×6 dye-sublimation prints with little setup. Its trade-offs are decisive for some buyers—app-only operation, proprietary consumables, relatively high running cost, slower real-world speed and occasional edge-alignment issues. Buy it for convenient occasional home printing; choose a Canon Selphy or similar 4×6 printer when operating flexibility or lower per-print cost is more important.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PROFESSIONAL PHOTO PRINTS - Pack of Glossy 4x6" Instant Photo Paper Lets You Print Stunning Full-Size Photographs Using Your HP Sprocket Studio Photo Printer and HP App.
- 80-Sheets 2 PACK HP CARTRIDGES - High-Quality Single-Pass Dye Sublimation Toner Delivers Durable Prints with Amazing Resistance to Water, Smudges & Fading.
- GORGEOUS LAB-QUALITY COLOR - Vibrant Prints Are Ready to Share in an Instant with Vivid Color Reproduction, High Contrast & Saturation, Sharp Detail & Beautiful Glossy Finish.
- PERFECT FOR ARTS & CRAFTS | Preserve Life’s Special Moments for Your Scrapbook, Wall Art, Fridge Décor, Photo Albums, Greeting Cards, School Portraits, Photo IDs & So Much More.
- PRINT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA | Personalize & Print Images from Your Smartphone & Social Accounts Via the Free HP Sprocket App with Exclusive Filters, Borders, Stickers, Emojis & More.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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