How to Print Passport Photos at Home
Upload your photo, choose A4 or 4×6″ photo paper and download a 300 DPI sheet with crop marks. Then follow the printer settings below to get exact 35×45 mm UK passport photos from your own printer.
Click or Drag & Drop to Upload
Upload your cropped passport photo. We will instantly tile it onto a 300 DPI printable 4×6″ or A4 sheet with cut lines.
True 300 DPI Sizing
Millimeter-perfect UK (35×45mm), US (2×2″) & global specs.
Corner Crop Marks
Subtle corner guides make cutting with scissors clean and easy.
Print for 15p at Boots
Save £10–£15 by printing as a standard 4×6″ photo at kiosks.
The Short Answer: Print at 100% on Photo Paper
You can print UK passport photos at home with any colour printer. Use photo paper, print the sheet at 100% (Actual Size), and switch off Fit to Page and borderless printing. Measure one photo before you cut. It must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall.
What you need before you start
- A compliant photo. Check it first with the passport photo checker, or crop it with the passport size photo maker.
- A colour printer. Inkjet gives the best skin tones.
- Glossy or matte photo paper in A4 or 4×6″.
- A ruler, plus a paper trimmer or sharp scissors.
Print Your Own Passport Photos in 4 Steps
The whole job takes about ten minutes, plus drying time.
- 01
Create your sheet
Upload a compliant photo above, pick A4 or 4×6″ to match your paper, and download the 300 DPI JPEG or PNG.
- 02
Load photo paper
Put glossy or matte photo paper in the tray with the printable side facing the way your printer manual shows.
- 03
Print at 100% scale
Open the file, choose Actual Size, switch off Fit to Page and borderless, and print on High quality.
- 04
Measure and cut
Let the ink dry, check that one photo measures 35×45 mm, then cut along the crop marks with a trimmer or sharp scissors.
The Right Printer Settings for Passport Photos
Most home-printed passport photos fail because the printer quietly resizes the image. These settings keep every photo at its true size on Windows, Mac and most HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printers.
| Setting | Choose |
|---|---|
| Scale | 100% / Actual Size |
| Fit to Page / Shrink to Fit | Off |
| Borderless printing | Off (it enlarges the image) |
| Paper type | Photo Paper Glossy or Matte |
| Print quality | High / Best |
| Colour | Colour (not greyscale) |
Where to find these settings
Windows
Open the file, press Ctrl+P, choose Printer Properties, then set the paper type and quality. In the print dialog, select Full page photo and tick Fit picture to frame off.
Mac
Press Cmd+P, open Show Details, and set Scale to 100%. Under Paper Handling, turn off Scale to fit paper. Pick your photo paper under Media & Quality.
Epson, Canon, HP and Brother
Each brand names its paper types differently, so match the label on your photo paper packet. Look for options such as Premium Glossy, Photo Paper Plus or Advanced Photo Paper, and always turn off any Expansion or Borderless setting.
Print from a phone or tablet
iPhone (AirPrint)
Save the sheet to Photos or Files, tap Share, then Print. Check the preview carefully: pinching to zoom can change the size. If it looks cropped, print from a computer instead. Our guide to taking a passport photo on iPhone covers the camera side.
Android
Open the sheet in Google Photos or Files, tap Print, and pick your printer. Choose the matching paper size and, if offered, set scale to 100%.
Phone print dialogs often default to "Fit". If you cannot find a 100% option, open the sheet in a PDF or photo app that offers one, or print from a computer.
Which Paper Is Best for Home Passport Photos?
HM Passport Office asks for photos printed on photo-quality paper. Here is how the common options compare.
| Paper | Photos per sheet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A4 glossy photo paper | Around 25 photos | Best for families and spare copies |
| 4×6″ (10×15 cm) photo paper | Up to 8 UK photos | Fits most photo printer trays |
| Matte photo paper | Same as glossy | Reduces glare; use it only if smooth and unmarked |
| Plain office paper | — | Not accepted by HM Passport Office |
UK rules for printed passport photos
- Each photo measures exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall.
- Head height runs 29–34 mm from chin to crown.
- The photo is in colour on photo paper, sharp and in focus.
- The background is plain, light and free of shadows.
- There are no borders, creases, ink smudges or low-ink streaks.
- Paper applications include two identical copies.
Read the full size rules in our UK passport photo guide or see why the 35×45 mm photo size matters. Applying for a child? Check the baby passport photo rules first. Not taken your photo yet? Follow our guide to taking a passport photo at home.
Make a Passport Photo Sheet in Word or Photoshop
The generator above is the fastest route, because it sizes the photos and adds crop marks for you. If you prefer your own software, these steps give the same result.
Microsoft Word
- Insert your photo, then open Picture Format > Size.
- Untick Lock aspect ratio, then enter 4.5 cm height and 3.5 cm width.
- Copy and paste the photo to fill the page, leaving a small gap between copies.
- Print on photo paper at 100%, then cut along the gaps.
Word often adds margins and compresses images, so measure your first print before you cut the rest.
Photoshop (4×6″ sheet)
- Create a new 6×4 inch document at 300 pixels per inch with a white background.
- Crop your portrait to 35×45 mm at 300 ppi, with the head 29–34 mm tall.
- Drag copies onto the sheet, leaving gaps of about 2 mm for cutting.
- Choose Print, set Scale to 100%, and select your photo paper profile.
Want to convert an existing picture without any software? Use the image to passport size converter.
Printing 2×2 Inch Photos at Home (US Passports and Visas)
US passports and visas use a square 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) photo instead of the UK 35×45 mm size. The printing rules stay the same: photo paper, 100% scale, no borders.
How to print a 2×2 photo on 4×6″ paper
- Create your photo with the US visa and passport photo tool.
- Place it on a 4×6″ sheet. Six photos fit exactly, in two columns and three rows.
- Print at 100% with borderless printing off.
- Measure one photo. It must be 2 inches square before you cut.
Check the exact head size and background rules on the US visa photo size page.
How to take a 2×2 photo on an iPhone
Stand facing a window in daylight, against a plain white wall. Ask a friend to hold the phone at eye level, or use the timer with the rear camera. Then open the photo in Photos, tap Edit > Crop, and choose the square 1:1 ratio. Our iPhone passport photo guide adds more tips.
Other countries use different sizes. See guides for Indian passport photos, Australian passport photos, Schengen visa photos and UK visa photos.
No Printer? Compare Home, Kiosk, Online and Photo Booth
The same 4×6″ sheet prints at any high-street kiosk or online photo service.
| Option | Home Printer | Kiosk or Online Print | Photo Booth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Under £1 per sheet | Around 10p – 25p per 4×6″ | Often £10 – £15 |
| Photos | Up to a full A4 page | Up to 8 per 4×6″ | Usually 4 |
| Speed | Minutes, no travel | Same day in store, or a few days by post | Same day |
| Retakes | Unlimited | Unlimited | A few rushed tries |
Prices vary by shop and change over time. Check your local branch before you go.
Print passport photos online and get them delivered
Upload a correctly sized 4×6″ sheet to an online photo service and choose a glossy or lustre finish. Turn off any auto-crop or auto-enhance option, and check the preview so the service does not trim your crop marks. Our guide to ordering passport photos online explains what to look for.
Do I need a special passport photo printer?
No. A standard colour inkjet gives accurate results on photo paper. A dedicated photo printer only makes sense if you print photos often. For a one-off job, a kiosk print costs far less than buying new equipment.
Printing at a kiosk? See the 4×6″ passport photo sheet guide.
Fix Common Home Printing Problems
A rejected photo costs you time and fees. Use this table to fix the most frequent faults before you send anything.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photos print too large or too small | Reprint at 100% with Fit to Page and borderless off. |
| Skin tones look orange or pale | Select the correct photo paper type and turn off automatic colour correction. |
| Streaks or banding across the photo | Run a nozzle check and head clean, then reprint on High quality. |
| Ink smudges when you cut | Wait at least five minutes, or longer on glossy paper, before handling. |
| Photo looks soft or pixelated | Print from the original 300 DPI file, not a screenshot or messaging-app copy. |
| White edge or border on one side | Re-centre the sheet in the tray and keep borderless printing switched off. |
Tip: print one test sheet on plain paper first. Hold it against a ruler to confirm the size, then use your photo paper for the final print.
Applying online? You may not need to print at all
Online UK passport applications use a digital photo upload, so skip the printer. Learn how it works in our guides to a digital passport photo and online passport renewal photos. Need a photo for a licence? See the UK driving licence photo guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about official Printing Passport Photos at Home: FAQs requirements and specifications.
Can I print my own passport photos at home in the UK?
Yes. HM Passport Office accepts photos you print yourself, provided they meet the rules: 35×45 mm, printed on photo-quality paper, sharp, unaltered and free of creases, borders or ink marks. Paper applications need two identical printed copies.
How do I print a passport size photo at home?
Create a print sheet from a compliant photo, load photo paper, and print the file at 100% (Actual Size) with Fit to Page and borderless printing switched off. Let the ink dry, measure one photo at 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, then cut along the crop marks.
What paper should I use to print passport photos?
Use glossy or matte photo paper, ideally 180–260 gsm. Plain office paper is not accepted because the image looks dull and the ink can bleed. A4 and 4×6″ (10×15 cm) photo paper both work with the template above.
What printer settings should I use for passport photos?
Set the scale to 100% or Actual Size, and turn off Fit to Page, Shrink to Fit and borderless printing. Choose the paper type that matches your photo paper and select the highest or Best print quality.
Why are my printed passport photos the wrong size?
Your printer or image viewer has scaled the sheet. Print again with scaling at 100% and borderless printing off, because borderless mode slightly enlarges the image. Always measure one photo with a ruler: it should be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall.
Can I use an inkjet or a laser printer?
Most modern colour inkjet printers give passport-quality results on photo paper. Let the print dry for a few minutes before you cut it. Laser printers on plain paper usually give poor skin tones, so avoid them.
How many passport photos fit on an A4 or 4×6″ sheet?
An A4 sheet holds roughly 25 photos of 35×45 mm, depending on margins and cutting gaps. That is enough for a whole family or several applications. A 4×6″ sheet holds up to 8.
How do I print a passport photo from my iPhone or Android phone?
Save the sheet to your Photos or Files app, then print through AirPrint or your Android print service. Check that the preview shows 100% or Actual Size, not Fit. If the dialog offers no scale option, send the file to a computer and print from there.
How do I make a passport size photo in Microsoft Word?
Insert your photo, untick Lock Aspect Ratio under Layout > Size, and set it to 4.5 cm high by 3.5 cm wide. Copy and paste to fill the page, then print at 100% on photo paper. The sheet generator above saves you the manual layout and adds crop marks.
How do I print a 2×2 inch photo on 4×6″ paper?
Six 2×2 inch photos fit a 4×6″ sheet exactly, in two columns and three rows. Create the photo with our US tool, place it on the sheet, and print at 100% with borderless printing off. Measure one photo to confirm it is 2 inches square.
Do I need to print photos for an online passport renewal?
No. Online UK applications use a digital photo upload instead. Print at home only if you apply by post or need physical photos for a visa, driving licence or other ID.
How do I print a digital passport photo?
Download the photo as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG, place it on a 4×6″ or A4 sheet at 300 DPI, and print it on photo paper at 100% scale. Never print from a small, compressed copy, because it will look soft.
How much does it cost to print passport photos?
At home, one sheet of photo paper and a little ink costs well under £1 and gives you many copies. A 4×6″ kiosk print usually costs around 10p–25p. A photo booth often charges £10–£15 for four photos. Prices vary by shop, so check your local branch.
How much is a passport photo printer?
You do not need one. A standard colour inkjet and photo paper are enough. Dedicated compact photo printers cost more than a basic inkjet and only suit people who print photos often.
Can I print passport photos online and have them delivered?
Yes. Several online photo services print 4×6″ sheets and post them to you. Upload a correctly sized sheet, choose a glossy or lustre finish, and check the preview for any automatic cropping before you pay.
Explore Other Passport Photo Tools
Browse every guide in the photo tools directory, or read how we protect your photos.