How to Print a Passport Photo at Home (or at a Lab for Under $1)

Option 1: Print at Home

What you need

• An inkjet or laser printer (any brand)
• Glossy or semi-glossy photo paper (4×6 inch or A4)
• Our free passport photo tool

Steps

1. Create your photo- use the tool below, select your country, upload and crop your photo, then click "Download PDF". You will get a PDF with multiple copies of your photo arranged to fill an A4 sheet.
2. Load photo paper - use glossy photo paper for the best result. Matte paper works but looks less professional.
3. Print at actual size- in your PDF viewer, make sure scaling is set to "Actual size" or 100%, not "Fit to page". This is critical - wrong scaling means wrong dimensions.
4. Cut with scissors or a craft knife - use a ruler for straight edges. Most applications just need the photo to be within ±1mm of the required size.

Option 2: Print at a Photo Lab (Recommended)

Send the PDF to a local photo lab or online printing service. Cost is typically $0.20 - $0.50 for a 4×6 print, which gives you 4 - 8 passport photos depending on the country.

Where to print

• CVS, Walgreens, Walmart - photo printing kiosk, ~$0.29/4×6
• Costco Photo Center - best quality, ~$0.17/4×6
• Shutterfly, Snapfish - online, delivered in 2 - 3 days
• Any local print shop - ask for a 4×6 photo print

Tell the lab to print at actual size (100%), not "fit to paper". This ensures the dimensions stay correct.

Paper Requirements

Most countries accept photos printed on glossy or matte photo paper. Requirements:

• Paper must be photo-quality (not regular printer paper)
• No creases, tears, or marks on the photo
• Colors must be accurate - avoid faded or oversaturated prints
• US: USCIS specifically requires photo-quality paper

How Many Photos Do I Need?

This varies by document and country. Typical requirements:

• US Passport (new): 1 photo
• US Passport (renewal by mail): 1 photo
• UK Passport: 2 photos
• Canada Passport: 2 photos
• Schengen Visa: 2 photos (some embassies require 3 - 4)
• India Passport: 3 - 5 photos depending on application type

Our PDF sheet gives you 6 - 8 copies per print, so one print is enough for most applications.