How to Print Passport Photos at Home or at a Pharmacy

What Is a 4x6 Passport Photo Print Sheet?

A print sheet is a single 4x6 inch image file (1800x1200 pixels at 300 DPI) that contains six 2x2 inch passport photos arranged in a 3-column, 2-row grid. You print this single file as a standard 4x6 photo, then cut out the individual 2x2 photos.

This layout is the industry standard. Every pharmacy photo lab in the United States prints 4x6 photos. By using this format, you avoid paying the pharmacy's passport photo service fee (typically $14.99-$16.99) and instead pay the standard photo print price ($0.35-$0.50).

When you order a digital passport photo from GetPassPhoto with the Photo + Print File package ($16.95), you get both the 2x2 digital file for online submission and this 4x6 print sheet for physical copies.

What the print sheet includes

• Six identical 2x2 inch photos on a single 4x6 sheet
• Each photo formatted to current US State Department specifications
• Plain white background, head sized at 50-69% of frame
• 300 DPI resolution for sharp printing
• JPEG format compatible with all photo labs and home printers
• Thin cut guides between photos for clean trimming

A passport application requires two identical 2x2 photos. The print sheet gives you six, so you have spares for visa applications, state ID renewals, or in case you damage one during cutting.

How to Print Passport Photos at Walgreens

Walgreens is the most popular option. Over 8,700 locations in the US, most with a photo department. Here is the step-by-step process.

1. Get your print sheet file. Order a passport photo from GetPassPhoto. Select the Photo + Print File package. You will receive a 4x6 JPEG by email within 60 seconds.
2. Save the file to your phone. Open the email on your phone and download the 4x6 print sheet image to your camera roll or photo library.
3. Open the Walgreens app or website.Go to Photo > Prints > 4x6 Prints. Upload the print sheet file. Select quantity 1.
4. Select your pickup store. Choose the nearest Walgreens location. Most stores complete photo orders in about one hour.
5. Pick up and pay. Standard 4x6 prints cost $0.35-$0.50 at Walgreens. Pay at the counter, pick up your print, and cut out the 2x2 photos at home.

Important:Do NOT use the Walgreens "Passport Photos" service option. That service charges $14.99 and takes its own photo. You already have a formatted photo. Use the standard 4x6 print option only.

How to Print Passport Photos at CVS

CVS has approximately 9,900 US locations. The process is similar to Walgreens.

1. Download your print sheet from the GetPassPhoto email to your phone.
2. Open the CVS app or CVSPhoto.com. Navigate to Prints > Standard Prints > 4x6.
3. Upload the 4x6 print sheet file. Do not crop or resize. Select quantity 1.
4. Choose same-day pickup at your nearest CVS. Most orders are ready in one hour.
5. Pick up and cut. Cost is approximately $0.39 for a 4x6 print. Cut along the guides to get six 2x2 photos.

Same rule applies: avoid the CVS passport photo service ($16.99). Use the standard photo printing option.

How to Print Passport Photos at Walmart

Walmart offers the cheapest pharmacy printing option. Not all Walmart locations have a photo center, but those that do charge significantly less.

1. Save your GetPassPhoto print sheet to your phone or a USB drive.
2. Visit WalmartPhotoCenter.comor use the Walmart app. Navigate to Prints > 4x6.
3. Upload the print sheet file and select quantity 1. Choose the nearest store for pickup.
4. Pick up within 1-2 hours. Walmart 4x6 prints typically cost $0.25-$0.35, making this the cheapest pharmacy option.

Walmart's in-store passport photo service runs $7.44, which is less than Walgreens and CVS but still more expensive than printing your own 4x6 sheet.

How to Print Passport Photos at Home

Home printing is the fastest option. No driving, no waiting. But you need the right paper and a printer capable of photo-quality output.

What you need

• An inkjet or dye-sublimation photo printer (laser printers do not produce acceptable photo quality)
• 4x6 inch glossy photo paper (brands: HP Premium Plus, Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy, Epson Premium Photo Paper)
• The GetPassPhoto 4x6 print sheet file (1800x1200 pixels, JPEG)
• A paper cutter or sharp scissors with a straight edge

Step-by-step

1. Load 4x6 photo paperinto your printer's photo tray. Glossy side up (or as your paper's instructions direct).
2. Open the print sheet filein your system's photo viewer or image editor. Do not resize.
3. Set print settings:Paper size = 4x6, quality = Best or High, paper type = Glossy Photo Paper. Disable any "fit to page" or "scale to fit" option — print at 100% / actual size.
4. Print one copy. Check the output. Colors should be natural, not oversaturated. Skin tones should match what you see on screen.
5. Let the print dry for 2-3 minutes before handling. Inkjet prints smudge when wet.
6. Cut the individual 2x2 photos using a paper cutter for clean edges. A rotary cutter produces the most professional result.

Common home printing errors

• Scaling the image. If your printer scales the image to fit, the 2x2 photos will not be exactly 2x2 inches. Always print at 100%.
• Using plain paper. The State Department requires photo-quality paper. Regular office paper will not pass inspection.
• Low ink. Faded or streaky prints are rejected. Replace cartridges before printing if ink is low.
• Wrong color profile. Ensure your printer is set to sRGB. Adobe RGB or CMYK profiles can shift skin tones and background color.

Paper Type and Print Quality Requirements

The US State Department specifies that passport photos must be printed on "photo-quality paper." This means glossy or semi-gloss photo paper. Matte finishes are generally acceptable but glossy is preferred.

Key requirements for the printed photo:

• Printed at 300 DPI or higher
• No visible pixelation, banding, or color streaks
• Natural skin tones — not oversaturated or washed out
• Background appears plain white, not off-white or yellow
• No smudges, fingerprints, or creases
• Cut cleanly to exactly 2x2 inches (51x51 mm)

For full details on the digital file specifications behind these prints, see the passport photo size in pixels guide.

Cost Comparison: Pharmacy vs. Home vs. Online

The key difference: pharmacy passport services do not give you a digital file. If you need a digital photo for online passport renewal (DS-82), you will need to pay again or use a separate service. GetPassPhoto includes both files in every order.

Common Printing Mistakes That Get Photos Rejected

Printing errors are the most common reason home-printed passport photos get rejected. Here is what to avoid.

• Wrong paper. Printing on regular copy paper, card stock, or textured paper. Only use photo-quality glossy or semi-gloss paper.
• Wrong size. Printing the 4x6 sheet on letter paper (8.5x11) without cutting to size, or scaling the file so the individual photos are not exactly 2x2 inches.
• Color shift. Yellow-tinted backgrounds from old or miscalibrated printers. The background must appear white, not cream or off-white.
• Jagged cuts. Tearing photos by hand instead of cutting. Use a paper cutter or scissors with a ruler.
• Fingerprints and smudges. Handle prints by the edges. Let inkjet prints dry completely before cutting.
• Reprinting a processed photo. Taking a screenshot of the digital file and printing that. Use the original print sheet file from your email — screenshots are lower resolution.

Need help understanding the full list of US passport photo requirements for 2026? Read the complete specification guide.

Frequently Asked Questions