Printing passport photos at home is the cheapest way to get them. CVS charges $17.99 and Walgreens $16.99 for two passport photos (store pages, checked October 15, 2026), while one 4x6 sheet holds up to six 2x2 inch photos. Our editor makes the photo; our sister tool PrintSheet lays it out on the sheet. Then you print at 100% and cut.
Why Print Passport Photos at Home?
- Lower cost: one 4x6 sheet instead of a $16.99-$17.99 store order
- Convenience: no driving to a store or waiting in line
- Multiple copies: up to six 2x2 inch photos per sheet, for backups or several applications
- Immediate results: print as soon as the photo is ready
- Complete control: retake and reprint until you're satisfied
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather these supplies for home printing.
- Color inkjet or photo printer (laser printers don't work as well)
- 4x6 inch glossy photo paper (matte finish may also be acceptable)
- Scissors or paper cutter for clean edges
- Ruler (optional, for measuring verification)
Use photo paper your printer's manual lists as compatible, and set the matching paper type in the print dialog. The paper setting changes how much ink the printer lays down.
Understanding the 4x6 Print Layout
The standard photo paper size is 4x6 inches, the same as a regular photo print. A 2x2 inch photo goes into it exactly 2 across and 3 down, so a sheet holds up to six.
PrintSheet does the layout: it tiles your photo onto a 4x6 sheet at 300 dpi (1200 x 1800 pixels) with cutting guides. It also does 5x7, A4 and Letter if your paper is different.
Step-by-Step Printing Guide
Step 1: Create Your Passport Photo
Take the photo against a plain white or off-white wall, then crop it in our free editor. The editor shows guide zones for head height and eye line and exports a 600 x 600 pixel JPEG. It does not change the background, so the wall needs to be right before you shoot. Our background rules guide shows what passes.
Create your passport photo first
Open Free Photo EditorStep 2: Lay the Photo Out on a 4x6 Sheet
Open PrintSheet, add the photo you just downloaded, and choose a 4x6 inch sheet with 2x2 inch photos. Download the sheet image; that is the file you print.
Step 3: Configure Printer Settings
Correct printer settings are crucial for accurate sizing. Wrong settings can result in photos that are too small or too large.
- Paper size: 4x6 inches (or 10x15 cm)
- Quality: Highest/Best/Photo quality
- Paper type: Glossy photo paper
- Scale: 100% or 'Actual Size' (NEVER 'Fit to Page')
- Margins: None or minimum
Never select 'Fit to Page' or 'Scale to Fit'—this will resize your photos and make them the wrong dimensions. Always print at 100% or 'Actual Size'.
Step 4: Print and Verify
Print your layout and let it dry completely before handling (glossy paper smudges easily when wet). Once dry, use a ruler to verify the photos are exactly 2x2 inches. If measurements are off, check your printer settings.
Step 5: Cut Out Photos
Use sharp scissors or a paper cutter to cut along the edges of each photo. A paper cutter or guillotine trimmer gives the cleanest, straightest edges.
Cut on the guide lines, then measure one photo before you cut the rest. It should be exactly 2 x 2 inches; if it isn't, check the scale setting and print again.
Paper Recommendations
The right paper makes a significant difference in print quality and acceptance.
Choosing Paper
Any photo paper your printer supports will do; we have not tested brands against each other, so we don't rank them. What matters more is setting the right paper type and printing at 100%.
Matte vs Glossy
Check which finishes your passport authority accepts before you buy paper. For U.S. passports, see the State Department's passport photo page.
Printer Troubleshooting
Photos Print Too Small or Too Large
This is almost always caused by scaling settings. Ensure you're printing at 100% or 'Actual Size'. Check that no 'Fit to Page' options are enabled.
Colors Look Wrong
Make sure your printer has sufficient ink in all cartridges. Low ink levels cause color shifts. Also check that you've selected the correct paper type in printer settings—this affects how ink is applied.
Photo is Blurry
Blurry prints usually indicate low-quality print settings or a low-resolution source image. Set your printer to the highest quality mode and ensure your original photo is at least 600x600 pixels.
Alternative: Print at a Store Kiosk
If you don't have a photo printer, print the 4x6 sheet as a regular photo print at a store. Walgreens lists prints, including 4x6, from $0.29, and CVS lists photo prints from $0.42 (the starting prices on their print pages, checked October 15, 2026; size and quantity change the price).
Sources: Walgreens photo prints and CVS photo prints. For how the store passport photo services compare, see CVS vs Walgreens passport photos.
Make the photo first, then lay it out on a 4x6 sheet with PrintSheet.
Make Your Passport PhotoFrequently Asked Questions
Can I print passport photos on regular paper?
Use photo paper. Plain printer paper doesn't give a photo-quality print, and the photo has to be a clear, sharp photographic print.
Do I need a special printer for passport photos?
Any inkjet printer that accepts photo paper can print passport photos. Dedicated photo printers give best results, but standard inkjet printers work fine when using proper settings and paper.
How long do printed passport photos last?
Photos printed on quality photo paper last for years. However, for passport applications, your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months—so print only what you need now.
Ready to print your passport photos?
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