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Guides · 4 min read

How to print a passport photo at home (2026 guide)

You do not need a photo studio to print a passport photo. A home inkjet or a drugstore kiosk, plus a 4×6 sheet with the passport photo laid out at 600 DPI, produces a passport-office-compliant print for about 25 cents per sheet — instead of $15 at CVS.

The 4×6 sheet trick

Passport offices accept a single photo trimmed from a larger sheet, provided the individual photo respects the size, resolution and margin rules. The standard trick is to lay out 4 to 6 identical photos on a 4×6 inch sheet at 600 DPI, print once, and cut with scissors.

  • Sheet size: 4×6 inches (100×150 mm) — universal photo print size.
  • Layout: 4 photos at 2×2 in (US, India visa) or 6 photos at 35×45 mm (UK, EU, Australia).
  • Resolution: 600 DPI minimum for the print file.
  • Paper: matte or glossy photo paper, 180 to 260 gsm. Office paper is not accepted.

Home printer settings that work

Most home inkjets can print passport-office-compliant photos with two settings correctly set: photo paper and best/high quality.

  • Paper type: photo paper (matte or glossy), not plain paper.
  • Quality: best, high or photo — never draft.
  • Borderless: on, so the layout is not cropped.
  • Color profile: sRGB.

Drugstore kiosk from a USB stick

If you don't have a printer, every major drugstore (CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Boots, dm, Kruidvat) accepts a 4×6 JPG from a USB stick or phone. Ask for 4×6 photo print, not passport photo — the price drops from $15 to about $0.30 per sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print a passport photo on regular paper?
No. Passport offices reject prints on office/copy paper because the surface glare, thickness and color reproduction differ. Photo paper (matte or glossy, 180+ gsm) is required.
How many photos should I print on one 4×6 sheet?
For US passport (2×2 in) or Indian visa: 4 photos per sheet. For UK, EU, Australia (35×45 mm) or Canada (50×70 mm): 6 photos per sheet. IDReady.ai generates the layout automatically.
What resolution does the print file need to be?
600 DPI at the final print size. IDReady.ai delivers the sheet at 600 DPI as standard — you can print it at any drugstore kiosk without adjusting settings.
Is printing at home cheaper than CVS?
Yes. A drugstore passport photo is $12 to $20. Printing a 4×6 sheet at CVS from a USB stick is about $0.30. Printing at home on an inkjet is about $0.25 including paper and ink.

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