Is there a printer for post it notes?

I'd like to print short pieces of text or graphics on a Post-it note 2-3 times a day. I'll start with TODO lists. I'd like to stick them on a surface as a reminder and take them off when they are done.

They don't have to be Post-it notes. Any similar paper is ok. The paper size should be 2 inch by 2 inch minimum, but larger is better. I prefer something that does not have BPA/BPS etc.

BPA and BPS in thermal paper links to 10 companies that make phenol-free alternatives for thermal paper (which may not be sticky)

There are lots of small printers that print stickers, but those stickers are designed to stick permanently to surfaces.

One thing I have got is post it photo paper (search for "Post-It Print Peel and Stick 4x6" Semi Gloss Picture Paper"). This works in a normal inkjet printer and is 6x4" (15x10cm). It's in single sheets with backing paper so it doesn't stick to the inside of the printer. Being photo paper it's more expensive than normal paper, probably making the idea a bit costly.

Another option is to print on normal paper with any normal printer, perhaps A6 (a similar size to that photo paper). Then you can use repositionable spray adhesive (probably more work than writing the notes) or removable double sided tape (Scotch brand for example) to turn them into post it notes.

I wouldn't trust the hacks for printing sticky notes directly on a normal printer. There's too much chance of them getting stuck and I've taken enough printers apart to not want to do it again.

You could print on normal paper, cut it to size, and stickyfy it with a non-permanent roll-on glue

tesa® Roller Non-Permanent Glue ecoLogo®, Refillable



(just an example, they are also available from many other brands)

If you have a simple printer, where the paper only moves in one direction (e.g. in from the top back and out on the bottom front, no duplex print or similar complications), you could stick sticky notes to a normal sheet of paper and sent this through the printer. Make sure that the sticky edge faces in the direction of the moving paper.

To help align the sticky notes, you could print a reference paper like this:



This way, you'll know where to place the notes on the paper and also where to print your text on the page so that it'll end up on the sticky notes.

Tip: if you use an inkjet printer, allow for more drying time of the ink than on normal printer paper, otherwise I found them very easy to smudge (probably depends on the brand of sticky notes, though...)

If you're open to ideas that don't involve physically printing something, you could use an e-paper/e-ink display powered by a Raspberry Pi:



You could print your information on a mailing label and then stick the mailing label on a post-it note.

Then you can put the post-it note wherever you want.

A handheld portable printer such as this one (no idea if this one in particular is any good, just an example of a product in this category) would be able to print on sticky notes since it only contacts one side of the paper.

Use a 3d printer!

connect a pen to a 3d printer.

write your notes in a software that can export them as an SVG (or export it as a PNG and then convert the PNG to an SVG).

Convert the SVG to an STL using fusion 360 (its free for hobbyists) or some other svg to stl converter.

"print" out your image with the pen.

Profit!

Realize you are now spending all of your time troubleshooting your 3d printer turned pen & paperator... And not doing anything on your todo list :(



If cost is no option, there are several options out there for a motorized tape dispenser like this Vevor branded one:



These tape dispensers can produce a pre-determined length of tape that would allow you to pretty quickly turn any kind of paper into a sticky note using a blue painters tape (or regular masking tape if you're going to be removing the notes within the same 12 hour period).

Most printers can be configured to print on a particular size paper in certain trays (though they may be limited), or you could couple this with a thermal printer paired with paper that meets your environmental criteria. Using dithering, you can convert images to 1-bit images suitable for printing on a thermal printer.

Your average POS receipt printer can print on sticky-backed paper, this is done all the time in coffee shops and restaurants. If you need to print large numbers of these, this or similar is the way to go.

Something like this: https://epson.com/Support/Point-of-Sale/Thermal-Printers/Epson-TM-T88VII-Series/s/SPT_C31CJ57052?review-filter=macOS+12.x

And paper like this: https://www.barcodefactory.com/labels/sticky-back-receipt-paper

If your needs are simple, there are plenty of options available via Amazon.

If you do this a lot, how about getting a custom rubber stamp made for you ?



Assuming you can come up with a design that you like, and get it cut, then you could bomph-out a to-do post-it every morning and transcribe items to move forward.

Something like this, for example:

There's very likely a stamp cutter business in your city, or find one on-line.