If you love journaling as much as I do, you know that photos really make a difference. They bring memories to life and make your pages so much more personal.
But... which photo printer should you choose?
I get asked about this so often that I thought it was time to clearly compare everything side by side.
In this blog, I'll explain the difference between the Canon SELPHY QX20 and the Canon SELPHY CP1500, so you know exactly which one suits you best 👇
What do they have in common? ✨
Let's start with the good news: you can't go wrong with either printer.
♡ Print directly from your phone via Wi-Fi
♡ Easily edit & print photos via the SELPHY app
♡ Bright, colorful, high-quality photos
♡ Prints stay beautiful for a long time thanks to a protective coating
Both printers use dye-sublimation technology. The colors are built up layer by layer (yellow, magenta, cyan), resulting in sharp, high-quality, colorful photos!
📖 Canon SELPHY CP1500 – for home use & larger prints
The CP1500 is your go-to if you mainly journal at home and want more options.
Why choose this one:
♡ You can print larger formats (such as postcard size, 10x15 cm)
♡ Ideal for collages (multiple photos on one print)
♡ Perfect as a permanent desktop printer (while still being compact 😉)
♡ Sharp photo quality on classic photo paper
Good to know:
→ Prints are not stickers (so you have to stick them in yourself)
→ Runs on mains power (no battery is included)
→ You can print stickers, but you need an additional paper tray for that
Additional paper tray
The CP1500 works with replaceable paper cassettes.
By default, you use:
→ postcard size (10x15 cm)
But with an additional paper tray, you can:
♡ Print in a smaller format (card size)
♡ Print square photos
♡ Use sticker paper (as long as you buy the right paper)
🔋 It can also be used wirelessly
What many people don't know:
you can purchase a separate battery for the Canon SELPHY CP1500.
→ This way, you can still take it with you and use it somewhere else
→ Think of a party, workshop, or journaling outside in the sunshine
The price of such a battery is approximately:
👉 €40 – €70, depending on the brand and capacity
To be completely honest:
it’s much less compact than the QX20 and a little more hassle (buying and charging the battery separately), so it remains more of a semi-portable solution.
👉 In short:
Do you like larger photos, make lots of collages, and mainly work at your desk? Then this is your match.
🌸 Canon SELPHY QX20 – for convenience and journaling on the go
The QX20 is truly made for the journal girl who wants to be able to print anywhere (my favorite!)
Why choose this one:
♡ Compact and portable (it fits right in your bag)
♡ Battery-powered → print wherever you want
♡ Prints are stickers right away (love this)
♡ Choice of square and card-size formats
♡ Space to write something under your photo
Why I like this one so much:
You’re at a café, on vacation, or simply relaxing on the couch…
→ take a photo
→ print
→ stick it straight into your journal
✨ What really sets this apart from other printers
The QX20 isn’t just a printer; it simply makes journaling much easier and more fun.
It greatly lowers the barrier to journaling:
♡ Fast prints → more spontaneous pages
♡ Stickers → fewer steps
♡ Portable → you can literally take your hobby anywhere
And that makes your journal much more vibrant and personal.
👉 In short:
Are you someone who likes journaling anywhere and values convenience? Then the QX20 is truly your best friend.
🤔 Which one should you choose?
Let’s keep it simple:
Choose the CP1500 if you:
♡ Journal at home at your desk
♡ Want larger prints
♡ Want to make collages
♡ Don’t mind sticking things in
Choose the QX20 if you:
♡ Want to print on the go
♡ Want to work compactly and wirelessly
♡ Want stickers (without the hassle of cutting and gluing)
♡ Spontaneously reach for your journal
💖 My honest opinion
I’ll be honest:
I use both… but if I had to choose?
Then I reach for the QX20 9 times out of 10.
Simply because it’s so easy to use and I can print anywhere.
But am I working on an extensive journal spread with multiple photos?
Then the CP1500 is also a great choice.
So basically:
👉 it’s not the printer, but mainly your journaling style!
🎥 Also watch my video
I also show everything in my video coming online soon, including the differences in use and results. So if you're unsure, you definitely want to watch it 👀
