Kodak 305 — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use
Kodak 305 — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use
The KODAK 305 is a compact dye-sublimation photo printer built for fast, high-quality borderless 4×6 and 6×8 prints in retail kiosks, event photo booths and small-business point-of-sale or on-demand printing environments. It’s not a general-purpose office printer — it’s purpose-designed to produce consistent, glossy photographic output quickly and reliably using thermal dye-sublimation media and roll-based print kits. Below I break down what the 305 actually does, the practical specs you’ll rely on, how it performs in real workflows, the running costs and maintenance you should plan for, and the business cases where the 305 is a smart fit.
What the KODAK 305 is (and what it isn’t)
Think of the 305 as a photo engine: compact, robust and optimised for high-volume borderless photos rather than for arbitrary paper sizes, office documents, or scanning/copying. It’s commonly used by photographers, event operators, retail photo kiosks and hospitality providers who need attractive prints on demand — 4×6 for quick handouts and 6×8 for higher-impact keepsakes. The printer’s workflow is roll-based (paper + ribbon), which keeps media swaps infrequent and predictable.
Headline features — quick snapshot
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Thermal dye-sublimation printing (Kodak XtraLife style prints: stain-resistant, water-resistant).
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Borderless photo sizes: optimized for 4×6 (10×15 cm) and 6×8 (15×20 cm) — some conversion kits enable 5×7 or other in-between sizes.
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Fast actual print speed: roughly ~11–20 seconds per 4×6 depending on quality mode (fine vs super-fine / printer mode).
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High optical quality: effective 300 dpi dye-sub output with CMY + overcoat for glossy/matte finishes; prints are durable and suited to customer handouts.
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Large roll yields: media kits are sold with large roll capacities (e.g., a two-roll kit yields up to 640 4×6 prints), reducing downtime.
Those are the practical facts operators notice first: it makes photo-lab quality borderless prints, fast, in predictable counts per roll.
Practical specifications (operator’s checklist)
Below are the load-bearing numbers you’ll reference during procurement or daily operation:
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Printing technology: Thermal dye-sublimation (transfer ribbon + photo paper roll).
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Max resolution / image quality: 300 dpi thermal dye-sublimation output (Kodak states “Ultra Fine” or similar modes for highest detail).
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Supported print sizes: Primary—4×6 (10×15 cm) and 6×8 (15×20 cm). Optional conversion kits/add-ons support 5×7 and ID sizes.
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Speed (typical): ~11.4 sec per 4×6 in Fine mode; ~20.5 sec in Super Fine on some firmware/settings — expect real-world throughput of ~150–300 prints/hour depending on quality.
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Media & consumables: Kodak Print Kits (paper + ribbon) sold per printer family — example: 305/6R kit yields up to 640 4×6 prints (2 rolls per box).
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Connectivity & drivers: USB connection and Windows/Mac drivers available; vendor pages list driver downloads and colour profiles.
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Physical: compact footprint for a lab/printer—easy to place behind counters or in kiosks; user guide and service literature are published by Kodak Alaris.
(Always confirm the exact regional SKU and media part numbers — Kodak sells media in multiple pack sizes and regional part codes.)
Real-world performance — quality, speed and reliability
Image quality. Dye-sublimation produces smooth tonal transitions and glossy finishes that look better than typical inkjet prints for portrait and event photography. The 305’s 300-dpi dye-sub engine with a protective overcoat creates durable results that resist smearing and light handling — an advantage for prints that customers will take home.
Throughput & workflow. In practice, you’ll pick a quality vs speed compromise: “Fine” modes yield quick turnaround (≈11–12 seconds for 4×6), while “Super Fine” or maximum quality doubles print time but gives marginally better detail and smoother gradients. For event booths and kiosks where queues form, many operators choose the faster fine mode and reserve super-fine for premium keepsakes. Kodak’s roll kits (up to hundreds of prints per box) minimize media swaps and keep throughput uninterrupted.
Reliability & maintenance. Dye-sub printers like the 305 are mechanically simpler than paper-fed pigment printers for photo work: the print head is fixed, media is in rolls, and much of the consumable is replaced as a single print kit. Routine maintenance is mostly media changes and occasional cleaning; Kodak’s user guide covers media loading, head cleaning and firmware updates. In retail/event deployments the 305’s predictable media yields and easy replenish procedure reduce operator errors and downtime.
Consumables & operating costs
Cost per print. Your cost per print equals (print-kit price) ÷ (prints per kit). Kodak’s two-roll kits (example: 640×4×6 per box) often make the per-print cost economical for on-site sales; exact numbers depend on local pricing. Because the media contains both paper and ribbon, the supply chain is simple and yields are predictable.
Why dye-sub can be cheaper for photos. For high-quality borderless photos, dye-sub with roll kits can beat small-format inkjet labs on per-print cost and speed because the chemistry and overcoat are optimized for photo longevity with low reprint rates. However, if you also need variable sizes, text documents, or general office printing, a dedicated photo engine is only part of the solution.
Inventory planning. Typical event planners use the rule of thumb: estimate expected prints + 10–20% reserve media. With 640x4×6 kits, a single box can cover a medium event; keep a spare kit on hand for busy days. Ordering cadence should match your busiest days (weekends/seasonal peaks).
Where the 305 fits in business workflows
1. Event photography & photo booths. The 305’s fast borderless output and simple media swaps make it ideal for weddings, fairs, corporate events and photo-booth operators who sell prints on site. Operators can offer standard 4×6 quick prints and premium 6×8 keepsakes.
2. Retail kiosks & hospitality desks. Tourist shops, resort photo desks and retail kiosks that sell souvenir prints benefit from durable, glossy prints with minimal operator training. The compact footprint fits behind counters without a dedicated lab space.
3. ID & passport photo stations (with limits). With conversion kits and proper colour profiles, the 305 can produce ID-style prints — but check local government spec compliance for official passport sizes before relying on it for passport photos.
4. In-house promotional printing for small businesses. Photographers and small studios can use the 305 for quick client proofing and instant sale prints while reserving larger lab runs for bulk orders.
Deployment & operational tips
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Choose the right print mode for your queue. Use “Fine” for event throughput, “Super Fine” for premium orders. Communicate expected wait times to customers.
Stock spare print kits and a basic maintenance kit. Keep at least one spare media kit and basic cleaning supplies near the unit to avoid mid-event interruptions.
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Use calibrated colour profiles. Install Kodak-supplied colour profiles/drivers and profile your workflow (camera → soft proof → print) so customer colours are consistent. Kodak provides drivers and colour management resources on the product pages.
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Train staff on roll loading and jams. The roll-based system is simple, but correct loading is important — a 5–10 minute staff briefing prevents most operator errors.
Limitations & when to choose something else
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Not a general office printer. If you need multipurpose document printing or scanning, pair the 305 with an office MFP. The 305 is a photo specialist.
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Size flexibility is limited. While conversion kits extend size options, the 305 is optimised for specific photo sizes; for arbitrary cropping and large formats choose a roll-to-cut printer or dedicated wide-format device.
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Upfront cost vs small-scale inkjets. For very low monthly photo counts, tabletop inkjets may be cheaper initially; the 305 shines as volumes increase because of predictable per-print cost and faster throughputs.
Verdict — who should buy a KODAK 305?
The Kodak 305 is a strong, practical choice for businesses focused on producing glossy, durable borderless photos quickly and reliably at point of sale or events. If your business sells keepsake prints, runs photo booths, or needs a compact kiosk-grade photo engine with predictable media yields and simple operation, the 305 will pay for itself in happier customers and fewer reprints. For mixed office/photo needs or highly variable sizing, consider supplementing it with other devices.
Sources & further reading
Kodak 305 Photo Printer product and marketing brochure (spec PDF) and user guide.
Retail and reseller listings with practical specs and media kit info.
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