The Roller Jet

An ingenious, portable printer prototype that reduces paper waste.

While home printers have fallen out of favor in our digital world, many people still prefer to print stuff, whether it’s a schedule, list, documents, or tickets. Keeping this in mind, along with the human need to enjoy tangible interactions, Seoul-based industrial designer Jisan Chung created the Roller Jet. Made for his École cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL) diploma project, this working prototype provides a more eco-friendly as well as a more convenient alternative to traditional printers. The design is compact and thus portable. Working with rolls of paper instead of standard A4 sheets, the Roller Jet minimizes paper waste.

The user can print even short texts or small pieces of paper without using an entire sheet. Alternatively, they can print larger documents or longer pieces of paper, such as gift paper. After printing, users can easily tear off the printed paper with one hand. The prototype comes with a built-in Bluetooth receiver. This means that the user can simply connect a smartphone or a gadget to the Roller Jet and print in a few easy steps. A battery provides power for printing on-the-go, while a simple round button makes operation as easy as possible. Jisan Chung designed the Roller Jet with a stainless steel base; a stainless steel rod that holds the roll of paper; sharp teeth for perfect cuts; and rubber feet that keep the printer in place during use. Photographs © Noe Cotter.