Zink hAppy Printer
Zink is in the news with the Home Shopping Network and others offering zink-based printers and even a camera incorporating Zink Technology. At about $230 for the hAppy printer and $260 for the Polaroid Z340 camera, these products are not inexpensive. To produce a photo, these products use heat activated dyes with each color layer activated at a different temperature. Cyan forms at 230°F (110°C), magenta at 302°F (150°C), and yellow at 392°F (200°C).
Unlike traditional photography nothing is removed from the print during processing; consequently the dye precursors that are still present in the paper may discolor the photo over time. Zink is more similar to thermal fax paper than it is to other printing processes.
Unfortunately, at this time, neither Zink nor other laboratories have released permanence data for Zink prints; consequently I do not recommend it for projects such as scrapbooks requiring some level of permanence.
Polaroid Z340 Digital Instant Camera
The camera does, however, look like a fun product, and I would love to play with one sometime. I would also love to pull the camera or printer apart and see how it works, so if you have one you are willing to sacrifice in the name of science, please let me know.
All About Images Blog 
Great info…sorry I won’t be buying one and contributing to your curiosity by letting you take it apart although I am curious as well ( but not that curious!) I was laughing when you said that thinking that maybe everything at your house when you were growing up was dismantled in the name of science! I have a grandson who does that sometimes!
Thanks for this! I was just looking them up this morning and thinking I didn’t want one.
Thanks Dr. Mark. We value the time and knowledge you share with us about to be former CMC’s. God bless!!
Thanks Dr. Mark. We’re working on it!!!! You are our best resource!!!
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