A Perth mother has uncovered a budget-friendly gem at Kmart Australia that is delighting shoppers seeking nostalgic photo prints without the hefty price tag of instant film. Charlene, a creative content creator from Perth, visited her local Kmart Photo Centre to print pictures and stumbled upon options that mimic the classic Polaroid and photobooth strip styles.
Polaroid-Style Prints at Kmart
In an Instagram video shared on her @charleneslowsundays account, Charlene demonstrated how she transformed her digital photos into Polaroid-style images. The prints come with a cute black frame edging and are available in four size options: four 5x7 cm, four 7x7 cm, two 7x7 cm, or two 10x7 cm. Prices for a single sheet start as low as $0.15 and go up to $0.80, depending on the size chosen.
To access these prints, customers can visit the online Kmart Photo Centre from an in-store computer station or remotely via phone or computer. Under the 'Prints' section, the subcategory 'Retro mini prints' offers these pocket-sized pictures, described as 'perfect for sharing, journaling or crafting'. The description adds: 'Display these mini works of art on your fridge or hang them on your wall for a fun little display.'
Users can choose from a classic white background or a range of colours and background patterns. One major advantage over traditional Polaroid film is the ability to preview the photo before printing, ensuring no wasted shots. Additionally, the cost is significantly lower than instant camera film, which has become expensive.
Photobooth Strip Prints Discovery
During her Kmart visit, Charlene also found photobooth strip prints. These long rectangular strips can be made using two, three, or four images, all priced from $0.15 each. She showed how she customised different border finishes, including classic white or film-style edging, as well as other colours and themed patterns.
'I paid 25 cents a sheet because I wanted instant printouts,' Charlene explained. 'But if you do Next Day Pick Up, it's a bit cheaper.' She expressed delight at the find, saying: 'They look so good, I love them! Did you guys know this? I feel like more people need to know this.'
Reaction from Shoppers
Charlene's video sparked excitement among viewers, with many commenting that they 'had no idea' about these options. One person wrote: 'They are so cute! I need to go print some.' Another said: 'Stop this is so good!' Savvy shoppers noted the value compared to instant film: 'Since Instax instant film is so expensive now, this is a great alternative.' A budget-conscious commenter added: 'A PhotoBooth machine print is like $8—these are 25 cents!' One suggestion was to use magnet strip tapes to turn the prints into fridge magnets.
Charlene told Daily Mail she was thrilled to share the discovery, noting: 'I think there's something really nostalgic and fun about affordable little services like this, especially for people who enjoy journaling, memory keeping, and creative hobbies.' She added: 'Millennials and Gen Z babies are falling back in love with physical media.'
