We get a lot of calls concerning photo output options and we routinely educate people on what is available in the current line up of printers. These discussions sometimes cover a wide array of mediums, such as stickers, magnets, etc. Sometimes the customer is researching solutions for a client or they are exploring options. However, one of the more popular questions is usually “format” or “size”. We thought it would be helpful to share a bit of insight into the trending “nostalgic” part of the business known as the “square print”. For many years, the most popular question for booth owners when purchasing a printer was, “Will it print strips?”. The answer now is always “Yes” for the professional dye sub photo printers. While 2x6 is still a popular feature, the hot topic lately that booth owners are curious about is the “square format”, otherwise known as “Polaroid style” or “Instagram Style” photo. Just as the “strip” has a certain amount of nostalgic appeal, so does the “square”. People like choices and this trend is yet another option to offer your client. The Square format (also known as 1:1) has been in and out of style for a long time. From the 1940’s to around the year 2000, the square format was a popular choice of professional film photographers and artists around the world. While the square format has waned due to the death of film, there is a resurgence being brought back into the market by popular “mobile apps”, such as Instagram. The good news is the square format is available on several of the dye sub photo printers on the market today. Furthermore it is simple to set up square templates, filters and borders using Darkroom workflow software or Darkroom Booth photobooth software. If you find yourself in need of a square output print format, here is the current line up:
- DNP DS40 - has a 4x4 format via special 4x6 perforated media (the other half of perforation is 2x4).
- Mitsubishi K60DW - offers a 6x6 square format from the 6R media kit.
If you have any questions or if you would like to request a sample of the "square" format dye-sub print, give us a call and we would be happy to assist in any way we can. For a run down of the most popular prints for photo booths check out my blog post: The Seven Best Printers to Complete Your Photo Booth
