Creative at the IFA: Innovations for your own photos, stickers and shirts
Even at a technology trade fair like IFA, I'm always on the lookout for the latest trends and gadgets in the creative sector. And I found what I was looking for. In addition to the latest printers and instant cameras, a compact plotter has also ended up in my collection.
The Digitec and Galaxus editorial team will be reporting on site from IFA 2023 in Berlin. You can find all the news and background information published so far in our overview
Smile (immediately): Kodak Smile+ for colourful snapshots
I am magically attracted to colourful little things. They stand out among all the black and white gadgets. But they're usually just mobile phone cases or headphones. Not this time. At the Kodak stand, I discover a camera in various colours. It's a new instant camera called "Kodak Smile+". The exhibition halls are a little too dark, so a flash light has to help out. And my selfie turns out a bit blurry. Luckily, the nice lady at the stand helps me and takes a photo of me.
I can even choose: The camera has three filters to choose from. If I turn the lens clockwise, I either get a star filter in front of the lens or a retro look. The image is printed out within a minute. On a long format zinc paper from Kodak. It doesn't need any ink and I can use the result as a sticker. If I don't like the photo, I can customise it via Bluetooth and the app. The camera is also compatible with a microSD card.
I know the zinc paper version from Canon's mini printer. However, the colours of the photos seem a little more intense to me here. I imagine the lightweight camera to be fun for souvenir snapshots at a party. The Kodak Smile+ will be available next year for around 130 francs or euros. The predecessor with fewer options costs around 100 francs/euros.
So that's 20 centimetres: HP printer prints panoramic images
Right next to Kodak's stand, HP has mini printers without a camera function. Not particularly exciting - except for one model. With the HP Sprocket Panorama Printer, I can choose the length of the print myself. I determine the size from 1.5 to 22 centimetres using the app.
Afterwards, I can place a photo in the app or work with stickers and text. It also offers the option of placing several images next to each other. The whole thing is a bit fiddly, but in the end I get my desired image with text.
The printer should be available from November for around 150 francs or euros. For a 5-metre roll of paper, however, you'll have to pay another fifty on top.
Cricut has got a new addition: Joy Xtra and new films
The Cricut brand is known for its plotters and foiling machines. And in a practical household size. With various accessories and a suitable app, you should be able to use the devices to create creative products as easily as possible. Including stickers, T-shirts and cards. This is possible with the Cricut Joy, for example. It can cut, write, draw and foil. There are also matching foils for stickers and shirts.
For single-colour works, you can process various foils from Cricut with the plotter. If you want to process multi-coloured designs, this is now also possible with the Cricut Joy Xtra. However, you will need a separate colour printer for this. Insert the desired films from Cricut into the printer. For example, for stickers or textiles. Then print your desired motifs on them. You then process them further with the Joy Xtra by cutting them out and foiling them. I can already see the endless possibilities: Stickers with my favourite comic characters, nerdy shirts or mugs and bottles as small gifts. And of course birthday and Christmas cards.
You can make presettings in the software. Projects up to A4 size are possible. They are processed by the plotter on a cutting mat. The sheets of paper or film adhere to the mat so that nothing slips during cutting. Foils are available in all colours and materials. You can also attach suitable pens for text to the plotter.
The Cricut Joy is available from us for 170 francs/euros. The Xtra is currently only available from Cricut and costs 250 francs/euros.
Cover photo: Michelle BrändleIn my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.