Canon SELPHY CP1500 Photo Printer — Portable Dye Sublimation
Compact wireless dye-sublimation printer for durable 4×6 prints, travel-ready with optional battery. Great for events and crafts.
Introduction
If you want lab-quality snapshots without the lab, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 delivers. This compact dye-sublimation photo printer is designed to transform smartphone shots, camera photos and memory-card images into durable 4×6 prints, square formats and sticker labels — fast, reliably, and with colors that last. It solves the perennial problem of how to take high-resolution digital memories and turn them into physical keepsakes without bulky equipment, messy ink cartridges, or complicated workflows.
Beyond print quality, the CP1500 addresses mobility and simplicity. Its small footprint and optional battery pack mean you can print at home, at parties, or on the road. Integrated wireless support (AirPrint, Wi‑Fi), a dedicated Canon PRINT and SELPHY Layout app workflow, plus direct USB and memory-card access, make printing immediate and accessible to users who value convenience, speed and consistent photo finishes.
Overview
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a portable dye-sublimation photo printer finished in black and built with a clean, modern aesthetic. Its low-profile chassis houses a 3.5″ color LCD for previewing and editing prints, a single paper cassette that handles postcard (4×6) sheets, and an easy-load film/ink cassette system. At roughly 5.2″D x 7.2″W x 2.3″H and weighing about 1.58 kg (3.48 lb), it’s compact enough for a countertop, travel bag, or a tabletop photo station.
Core printing uses dye-sublimation technology, which produces continuous-tone images with smooth gradations and minimal dot patterning — ideal for photos. Connectivity is flexible: Wi‑Fi with AirPrint support, Canon’s mobile apps (Canon PRINT & SELPHY Layout), USB 2.0, and direct memory-card printing. This makes the CP1500 especially well-suited for hobbyists, event photographers, creative crafters, and anyone who wants quick, reliable photo prints without a full-size photo lab setup.
Features
Portable Design with Optional Battery Pack: The CP1500’s lightweight footprint and optional battery kit turn it from a countertop device into a truly mobile printer. Take it to parties, road trips, weddings, or craft markets and print on location without being tethered to mains power when you add the accessory battery.
Dye-Sublimation Photo Technology: Dye-sublimation printing lays down continuous-tone color in layers for smooth gradients, natural skin tones, and glossy finishes. Prints dry instantly, resist smudges, and have a factory-rated longevity of up to 100 years under proper storage — perfect for keepsakes and albums.
Versatile Connectivity & App Integration: Print straight from smartphones and tablets using AirPrint, Wi‑Fi, Canon PRINT or the SELPHY Layout app, or from cameras, memory cards and USB drives. The apps include layout tools, filters, and multi-photo templates so you can compose print-ready images without a PC.
3.5″ LCD with On-Device Editing: A built-in 3.5-inch LCD lets you preview, crop, rotate and apply simple filters like sepia and black-and-white before printing. This reduces the need to edit on a separate device and speeds up the printing workflow, especially in casual or event settings.
Durable, Water-Resistant Outputs: Prints come out instantly dry and are water-resistant, making them suitable for albums, scrapbooks, stickers, and labels. The glossy finish and archival stability make these photos resilient for display and gifting.
Benefits
Instant, Shareable Keepsakes
Turn digital memories into tactile prints in roughly 41 seconds for a 4×6 — ideal for handing out at gatherings, creating instant photo booths, or building physical photo albums on the spot.
Consistent Color & Smooth Detail
Dye-sublimation’s continuous-tone approach reduces banding and posterization, so portraits and landscapes render with pleasing skin tones and smooth color transitions.
Low-Fuss Operation
The integrated cassette system (combined paper and ink supply) is straightforward to load, cutting the learning curve for users who want great prints without frequent maintenance or messy ink refills.
Flexible Printing Options
Multiple supported sizes — 4×6, 2.1×2.1 square, mini labels — let you create classic photos, social-media-style squares, or sticker labels for crafts and gifts, expanding creative possibilities.
Compact & Travel-Friendly
Its small footprint and optional battery pack allow photographers and creatives to print on location, removing the barrier of finding a stationary printing setup.
Usages
Perfect for Home and Crafting Projects
Quickly produce 4×6 photos for albums, greeting cards, scrapbooks or framing. The water-resistant finish is craft-friendly and handles adhesives and handling well.
Event and Party Photo Stations
Set up a simple instant-print station at weddings, birthdays or small trade shows. Guests can print their own photos directly from smartphones for immediate souvenirs.
Social Media & Content Creator Prints
Creators can print square 2.1″x2.1″ photos or mini labels for branded giveaways, mood boards, and physical portfolios using the SELPHY Layout app to format social-sized images.
On-the-Go Photography
Use with the optional battery pack for pop-up shoots, outdoor sessions or travel photography to give clients instant proofs or mementos on location.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-quality dye-sublimation photo prints with smooth gradients and glossy finishes
- Compact, travel-friendly design with optional battery for true portability
- Versatile connectivity: AirPrint, Wi‑Fi, USB, memory cards and mobile apps
- Instant-dry, water-resistant prints with archival longevity
- On-device 3.5″ LCD for previewing and basic edits
Cons
- Print speed is modest (around 41 seconds for a 4×6) compared with instant thermal or faster lab printers
- Consumable cost per print can be higher than home inkjet economies for high-volume printing
- Connectivity experiences are mixed for some users — occasional pairing or app issues reported
- Single-sheet input capacity and print-only capability limit document-style use
FAQs
How fast is the Canon SELPHY CP1500 at printing a 4×6 photo?
Typical 4×6 prints take about 41 seconds from job start to finished, dry photo — roughly 1 print per minute under normal conditions.
Can I print directly from my smartphone without a computer?
Yes. The printer supports AirPrint, Wi‑Fi, Canon PRINT and SELPHY Layout apps for direct printing from iOS and Android devices, plus USB and memory-card printing.
Are the prints water-resistant and long-lasting?
Yes. Prints are instantly dry, water-resistant and rated by Canon for archival life up to 100 years under proper storage conditions.
Does the printer support double-sided or standard document printing?
No. The CP1500 is a dedicated photo printer for single-sided photo outputs and does not support duplex (double-sided) document printing.
Is an optional battery required for portable use?
Yes. The printer can be powered by the included AC adapter, and Canon offers an optional battery pack to enable printing when mains power is unavailable.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Portable Photo Printer (Dye-sublimation) |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Approximately 1 ppm for 4×6 color prints (about 41 seconds per print) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 300 x 300 dpi (color and black-white) |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi (AirPrint), Canon PRINT & SELPHY Layout apps, USB 2.0, Memory Card slot |
| Duplex | No (single-sided photo printing) |
| Supported Media Sizes | 4 x 6 in (postcard), 2.1 x 2.1 in (square), mini label stickers |
| Ink/Toner Type | Dye-sublimation ink cassette (dye-based ink film) |
| Dimensions | 5.2″D x 7.2″W x 2.3″H; Weight 1.58 kg (3.48 lb) |
| Warranty | Limited Warranty (Canon USA) |
Ratings
| Color Accuracy & Detail | 4.2 |
| Print Longevity & Paper Support | 4.7 |
| Connectivity & Wireless Control | 3.6 |
| Print Speed for Photos | 3.8 |
| Ease of Use | 4.0 |
| Value for Money | 3.9 |
Recommendation
The SELPHY CP1500 is recommended for photographers, event hosts, crafters and social media creators who want lab-quality, durable prints in a pocketable package. If you prioritize true portability, consistent photo finishes and the ability to print directly from phones and cameras, the CP1500 is an excellent fit. For high-volume document printing or duplex office workflows, choose a dedicated office printer instead.
Conclusion
The Canon SELPHY CP1500 stands out in its class by combining dye-sublimation photo quality with a compact, travel-ready form factor. It produces reliable, water-resistant 4×6 photos and creative sticker formats with pleasing color gradations and archival stability. The built-in 3.5″ LCD and app-driven workflow make printing immediate and accessible for casual users and creatives alike.
There are trade-offs: print speed and per-print consumable cost position the CP1500 as a specialty photo device rather than a daily document printer. Connectivity, while comprehensive, has generated mixed user reports — but when it works smoothly the experience is seamless. For anyone seeking a dedicated, portable photo printer that emphasizes finish, durability and mobility, the SELPHY CP1500 offers long-term value and creative flexibility.
