Printing passport photos at home saves money: a pharmacy or photo booth charges for every set, while a print at home costs pennies. With the right paper and settings, many passport offices accept home-printed photos. Not all do: Canada, for example, does not accept photos printed at home, so check the rules of the authority you apply to first.
What you need
- A colour inkjet or laser printer
- Glossy or satin photo paper in a standard size (4×6 in, 5×7 in, A4, A5 or US Letter)
- A passport photo file sized to exact country specifications
- A ruler and sharp scissors or a paper cutter
Step 1: Prepare the photo file
Before printing, your photo must be cropped and resized to the exact dimensions required by your country. CropPass makes a print-ready sheet with several copies on a standard paper size. Download the sheet and print it as it is.
Step 2: Choose the paper
- Glossy photo paper: best colour reproduction, most widely accepted
- Satin or semi-gloss: good quality with less reflection
- Matte photo paper: accepted in most countries, no glare
- Never use regular printer paper: it will be rejected
- Paper weight: at least 200 gsm for best results
Step 3: Printer settings
The most important setting is to print at 100% scale (actual size) with no resizing. Many printers default to "fit to page" which changes the dimensions.
- Scale: 100%. Do not use "fit to page" or "shrink to fit"
- Quality: Highest available ("Best" or "Photo")
- Paper type: Match to the paper you are using
- Colour: Full colour, sRGB
Step 4: Cut the photos
- Let prints dry for at least 5 minutes
- Cut along the guidelines using a straight edge
- Avoid touching the face area of the photo
- Check dimensions with a ruler after cutting
- Cut extras in case of mistakes
Common printing mistakes
- Printing with "fit to page", which changes the photo dimensions
- Using regular paper instead of photo paper
- Not letting prints dry before cutting
- Using draft quality instead of best/photo quality
Frequently asked questions
What paper weight should I use for passport photos?
Use photo paper with a weight of at least 200 gsm. Most glossy photo paper sold for inkjet printers is 200–260 gsm and works well. Thinner paper produces flimsy prints that may be rejected.
Can I print passport photos on a regular inkjet printer?
Yes. Most modern inkjet printers produce prints that are accepted by passport offices that take home prints, as long as you use photo paper and the highest quality setting. Laser printers also work well. The key is using photo paper, not regular paper. Some offices, such as Canada's passport program, only accept photos printed by a commercial photographer.