zink: color printing without ink

While most conventional printers use ink, toner or wax to print, these new portable printers from Zink will print full color images without applying any substance to the surface of the paper.

Instead of ink or toner, Zink’s compact printers will use a special paper, embedded with color dye crystals that are activated when heat is applied. Thanks to the simplicity of their design, Zink hopes to embed their printers directly into digital cameras, cell phones and media players in the future.

UPDATE: I’ve posted a video below (via Gizmodo) which shows a Zink printer in action…

The portable printer features Bluetooth connectivity and produces 2×3 waterproof prints in about a minute each. Word on the street is that the printer will cost about $99, with the special paper running about 20 cents per print.

[via Ministry of Tech]