# Instant Camera using Raspberry Pi and Thermal Printer ## Overview **This guide is marked as DISCONTINUED — thermal printers and accessories are no longer carried by Adafruit, and some of the APIs and drivers referenced here are no longer available or compatible. Code will not be updated and guide feedback will not be reviewed. The information remains online because a few elements may be of use for anyone who still has this hardware, but will still need to DIY their own code.** **“Instant photography”** with Polaroid cameras was a _thing_ up through the 1990s until ubiquitous digital photography took hold…though, like vinyl music, the medium has since made a nostalgic resurgence. In this project, we’ll replace chemical film with more modern _electronic_ parts: a **Raspberry Pi computer and camera** paired with a diminutive **thermal printer** , all working off a battery. **Press a button, get a print!** ![camera_polaroid.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/032/294/medium640/camera_polaroid.jpg?1462514519) This camera-and-thermal-printer combination is not a new idea…Nintendo released their **Game Boy Camera and Printer** as mass-market devices in 1998. What’s exciting is that **we no longer need the resources of a giant corporation to create something similar** …inexpensive computer power and open source software make infinite customization possible! ![camera_GameBoy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/032/291/medium640/camera_GameBoy.jpg?1462511676) # Parts from Adafruit: - **Any model Raspberry Pi with a camera connector** (i.e. all but Pi Zero). The **[Model A+](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2266)** is an excellent choice because it’s small and power-efficient, but if you have a different model on-hand this’ll work all the same (though might need your own case). The Raspberry Pi 3 only works with our USB receipt printer so it might not be the best option. - **2GB or larger microSD card** (or full-size SD for older Raspberry Pi boards). - **Any model Raspberry Pi Camera board** ; visible light or NoIR (infrared), original 5 megapixel or newer 8 MP models. This project does not require high resolution, so if you’ve upgraded another project to the latest camera, it’s an excellent opportunity to repurpose the “classic” unit. - **Any model Adafruit Thermal Receipt printer.** We’ll use the “**[Nano TTL](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2752)**” model because it’s compact, but any of the other varieties can work as well. - **Thermal Paper Roll(s).** The Nano printer requires a special [nano roll](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2755). There are corresponding fitting rolls available for the Mini and full-size receipt printers. - **[4xAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/products/830).** Or you might be able to adapt a different 5-ish Volt power supply…it requires a couple Amps of current, and most USB battery packs didn’t quite cut it. - **[Perma Proto HAT — No EEPROM](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2310).** This is used for connecting buttons and power to the Raspberry Pi GPIO header…though if you’re resourceful, any Pi Cobbler or even some M-F jumper wires could be adapted to the task. - **16mm Panel-Mount Momentary Push Button**  or similar, two required. [Various](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1503) [interesting](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1445) [colors](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1502) [are](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1504) [available](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1505). - Latest version of **[Raspbian Jessie Lite](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/)** for Raspberry Pi web site. No not use the full version, it’s _enormous…_the Lite version is sufficient for this project. # Parts Not From Adafruit: - **4 (four) Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable NiMH batteries.** Yes, this is actually important, not a shill…we tested with other cells and they lacked the same “oomph.” Additionally, the Eneloops hold a charge much longer when stored. - **NiMH battery charger.** **You will also need the usual electronics project items:** soldering iron and related paraphernalia, some bits of wire, etc. Optionally, you can add an **LED** (any color) and resistor (100 Ohm or thereabouts) as a status indicator. **Some prior Raspberry Pi experience is assumed**  — downloading the OS, writing an SD card, basic system and network configuration, etc. You can search the Adafruit Learning System for related guides if any of this is unfamiliar. **During setup, you will temporarily need a monitor, keyboard and network connection.** The Model A+ may require using a USB hub and a wireless adapter…if you already have a working Raspberry Pi system that’s networkable, it may be easier to borrow that for the software setup, then move the card over to the A+ board. **Creating an enclosure for your camera is a DIY project.** We’ll upcycle the box the thermal printer comes in, but you might want to create something fancier than that…maybe 3D printed, or even fit into an old camera body. ## Read through the full guide before commiting to any purchases. You might already have some parts on-hand…or there may be some “gotchas” that require specific components. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/032/316/medium800/camera_Banner.jpg?1462594098) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/instant-camera-using-raspberry-pi-and-thermal-printer/system-setup.md) ## Featured Products ### Raspberry Pi Model A+ 512MB RAM [Raspberry Pi Model A+ 512MB RAM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2266) **Note:** As of August 10th, 2016 the Raspberry Pi A+ now includes 512 MB of RAM! The Raspberry Pi Model A+ is the perfect board for the minimalist Pi fan. This low-cost Pi uses the same processor as the model B+, but does away with the Ethernet jack and three of the USB... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2266) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2266/guides) ### Raspberry Pi Camera Board [Raspberry Pi Camera Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1367) The Raspberry Pi Camera Module is a custom designed add-on for Raspberry Pi. It attaches to Raspberry Pi by way of one of the two small sockets on the board upper surface. This interface uses the dedicated CSI interface, which was designed especially for interfacing to cameras. The CSI bus is... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1367) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1367/guides) ### Nano Thermal Receipt Printer - TTL Serial [Nano Thermal Receipt Printer - TTL Serial](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2752) Add a _really really small_ printer to any microcontroller project with this very cute thermal printer. Thermal printers are also known as receipt printers, they're what you get when you go to the ATM or grocery store. Now you can embed a little printer of your own into an... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2752) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2752/guides) ### Thermal Paper Roll - 16' long, 2.25" [Thermal Paper Roll - 16' long, 2.25"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2755) A little roll of thermal paper! This fits very nicely into our [Nano Thermal Receipt Printer](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2752). It's ~2.25" wide (about 57mm) and 16 feet long or about 5 meters. No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2755) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2755/guides) ### 4 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch [4 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/830) Make a nice portable power pack with this 4 x AA battery holder. It fits any alkaline or rechargeable AA batteries in series. There's a snap on cover and an on/off switch which can be handy when wiring to something without a switch. **New**! We now have 0.1" headers... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/830) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/830/guides) ### Adafruit Perma-Proto HAT for Pi Mini Kit - No EEPROM [Adafruit Perma-Proto HAT for Pi Mini Kit - No EEPROM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2310) Design your own Pi HAT, attach custom circuitry and otherwise dress your Pi Zero, A+, B+, Pi 2, Pi 3 and Pi 4 (any Pi with a 2x20 connector) with this jaunty prototyping HAT kit. To kick off the Adafruit HAT party, we have this Perma-Proto inspired plug in daughter board. It has a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2310) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2310/guides) ### 16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Red [16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Red](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1445) OK, this item is pretty simple - it's a panel mount pushbutton. It's not that exciting, no LEDs, no bells & whistles. But we really like it anyways – look at that lovely rounded shape, that elegant bevel. If you're going to go with a momentary pushbutton, let it be this... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1445) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1445/guides) ### 16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Yellow [16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Yellow](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1502) OK, this item is pretty simple - it's a panel mount pushbutton. It's not that exciting, no LEDs, no bells & whistles. But we really like it anyways – look at that lovely rounded shape, that elegant bevel. If you're going to go with a momentary pushbutton, let it be this... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1502) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1502/guides) ## Related Guides - [Retro Gaming with Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/retro-gaming-with-raspberry-pi.md) - [reef-pi Guide 7: Dosing Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-guide-5-dosing-controller.md) - [reef-pi Guide 2: Power Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-power-controller.md) - [DotStar Pi Painter](https://learn.adafruit.com/dotstar-pi-painter.md) - [reef-pi Guide 4: Water Level Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-water-level-controller.md) - [All About Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Lenses](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-hq-camera-lenses.md) - [Networked Thermal Printer using Raspberry Pi and CUPS](https://learn.adafruit.com/networked-thermal-printer-using-cups-and-raspberry-pi.md) - [3.5" PiTFT OctoPrint Rig](https://learn.adafruit.com/3-dot-5-pitft-octoprint-rig.md) - [QR Codes](https://learn.adafruit.com/qr-codes.md) - [Kali Linux on the Raspberry Pi with the PiTFT](https://learn.adafruit.com/kali-linux-on-the-raspberry-pi-with-the-pitft.md) - [Adafruit DC and Stepper Motor HAT for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dc-and-stepper-motor-hat-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Raspberry Pi radio player with touchscreen](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-radio-player-with-touchscreen.md) - [Rx Snapchat Spectacles for DIY and STEM](https://learn.adafruit.com/prescription-snapchat-spectacles.md) - [Introducing the Raspberry Pi Model B+](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-the-raspberry-pi-model-b-plus-plus-differences-vs-model-b.md) - [Set up Home Assistant with a Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/set-up-home-assistant-with-a-raspberry-pi.md)