This “Mini” Picture Frame DIY Is So Cute, and Perfect for Instax Cameras

One of my favorite parts of being a college student is taking tons of photos with my friends and knowing we’re capturing memories to look at for years to come. What’s even better? The comeback of film and digital cameras. 

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera is a point-and-shoot that prints out a small photo as soon as you take it, and it’s one of my favorite film cameras. Recently I saw a TikTok video revealing the cutest Instax Camera feature that I had no idea about — and I can’t wait to try it out. 

I learned about this adorable Instax hack from a video by @leslietyger on TikTok. In the video, she explains that once you’ve used all the photo sheets and it’s empty, you can actually use the cartridge the Instax film comes in as a mini picture frame. 

There is a flap on the plastic cartridge, and if you bend it down just a little you can slide your photo right in. Because it’s designed to hold the film it prints, it’s the perfect size. Want to swap out the pic? No biggie — just push from the back and the photo pops out easily. The video also explains that because the container has two indents already, you can use those to hang it on your wall with a couple of small hooks or thumbtacks. Or to avoid putting any holes in the wall, you could use some mini Command hooks or some sticky tack.   

You can stop there, as it’s already a perfectly proportioned little frame, or you could take the DIY a step further like the video shows by decorating the empty cartridge with tape and yarn to make it even cuter.

I love that this film cartridge frame hack is a three-in-one win: It reduces waste, saves some money on frames, and helps display my favorite pics. Most of the time people just toss those empty cartridges in the trash, but now you can upcycle it as a minimalist picture frame. 

If you’re looking to buy an Instax Camera and try out this DIY for yourself, you can find them at retailers Amazon, Target, or Walmart. The camera comes in a few different sizes and colors — but regardless of which model you choose, just don’t forget to save that cartridge.