How to Print Passport-Size Photos in 2026: A Quick Guide
If you’re applying for a UK passport with a paper form, you’ll need printed passport photos. While the photo itself must be 35×45 mm, it is not printed at that size directly.
Instead, passport photos are printed on a special-size template that fits standard photo paper used by photo shops and home printers.
This guide explains the simplest and safest way to print passport photos, either in any local store or at home — without risking rejection by HM Passport Office.
📋 Quick Answer
To print passport photos correctly, prepare a print-ready 4×6 (10×15 cm) template that contains multiple correctly sized 35×45mm photos), then print it on 4×6 photo paper in any photo shop or at home.
Contents
How to Prepare a Printable Passport Photo Template
Before printing, you need a print-ready digital image. This is the most important step — most rejected passport photos fail here, not during printing.
Method 1: Create a passport photo template online
The easiest and most reliable option is to use a service like PhotoBooth Online, which automatically creates your passport photo and puts it into a print-ready template for you.
This approach avoids manual cropping, sizing errors, and background issues.
How PhotoBooth Online works:
1
Snap Your Photo
Take a normal photo of yourself using your phone. Face the camera directly and keep your face fully visible. Don’t worry about size or background – our system will fix them for you.
2
Upload to the Tool
Upload your photo to PhotoBooth Online using the green button below.
3
Automatic Formatting
Our system automatically crops the image to passport size, adjusts proportions, and fixes the background. It then places 4 copies of your photo into a print-ready template.
4
Save and Print
Download the template and use it for printing. No additional editing is required.
Method 2: Prepare your template manually
You can also crop and prepare passport photos manually using image-editing software. However, this requires:
- Correct aspect ratio (35×45 mm)
- 300 DPI resolution
- Plain light background
- Precise positioning of the face
- Manually putting photos into the template
Even small mistakes may lead to rejection, which is why most applicants prefer a ready-made template.
How to Print Passport Photos (In-Store or at Home)
Once you have a printable template, the easiest option is to print it in a passport photos near me store — though home printing also works.
Printing passport photos in a store
If you don’t have a printer, this option is often faster and cheaper. Most photo shops, pharmacies, and large retailers can print your template photo for under £1.
1
Save the Template
Save the downloaded template to your phone or a USB drive so it’s ready for printing.
2
Visit a Photo Printing Location
Take your file to a local photo printing store or kiosk.
3
Request a Standard Print
Ask for a standard 4×6 photo print of your template. It’s a universal photo format, so staff do not need special instructions.
4
Collect and Cut Out
Pick up your print, and carefully cut out each individual passport photo.
Printing passport photos at home
If you prefer to print at home, you’ll need a computer (Windows or Mac), a printer that supports photo paper, and 4×6-inch photo paper (glossy or semi-gloss).
1
Open the Template
Open your downloaded template on your computer.
2
Select Print
Choose Print from your application menu.
3
Choose Your Printer
Select the printer you want to use.
4
Set Paper Size
Set the paper size to 4×6.
5
Enable Colour & Quality
Turn on colour printing and select the highest quality for best results.
6
Print & Cut
Print and cut your passport photos along the guides.
Common Passport Photo Printing Mistakes
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Following these tips ensures your passport photos are printed correctly the first time, saving you time and avoiding costly mistakes.
Written by: PhotoBooth Online Team
Updated: 26/02/26
Frequently Asked Questions on Printing Passport Photos
Will the UK Passport Office accept home-printed passport photos?
Yes. The UK Passport Office (HMPO) accepts home-printed passport photos as long as they meet the official requirements.
Can I print a passport photo as a 35×45 mm image directly?
To print a passport photo correctly, you must not print the 35x45mm image directly. Standard printers cannot accurately output a standalone 35×45 mm image because there is no matching paper format, which often results in automatic scaling.
Instead, place your photo into a 4×6 inch (10x15cm) template. This template can then be printed as a standard photograph at home or in any retail print shop.
How to print passport size photo at home?
Using an inkjet or dye-sublimation printer, load 4×6 inch photographic paper and open your print-ready template. In your printer settings, select the “Actual Size” or “100% Scale” option. Avoid “Fit to Page” settings, as these will distort the required 35x45mm dimensions.
How to print passport size photo from mobile?
You can print directly from your smartphone using AirPrint (iOS) or Wi-Fi Direct (Android). Simply open your template in your photo gallery, tap ‘Print’, and ensure the paper size is set to 10x15cm (4x6in).
Where to print passport photos?
If you already have a properly prepared passport photo template, you can print it as a standard photo for under £1 at any local print shop or at a supermarket or pharmacy.
The key is that you are ordering a regular 4×6 photo print, not a dedicated “passport photo service.” Since your passport photos are already correctly sized inside the template (35×45 mm), no special processing is required — just print and cut them out.
How to print passport size photo in A4 paper?
You can print a passport photo template on A4 photo paper, but you must ensure that the image is printed at 100% scale (Actual Size). Do not select “Fit to Page” or any automatic resizing option, as this will change the internal 35×45 mm dimensions and may cause rejection.
While A4 works, it is usually more wasteful than printing on standard 4×6 paper, which is the preferred and safest format for passport photo templates.
How to print passport size photo in HP printer?
Open your template in the HP Smart app or print dialog and select your printer. Set the paper size to 4×6 inch (10×15 cm), choose Best or highest quality, and make sure scaling is set to Actual Size / 100%.
Always use glossy or semi-gloss photo paper. Avoid plain office paper, as UK passport photos must be printed on photographic paper. After printing, you can double-check one photo with a ruler to confirm it measures exactly 35×45 mm before cutting.
How to print passport size photo in Word?
While Microsoft Word allows you to manually resize images (by setting height to 4.5 cm and width to 3.5 cm), this method carries a higher risk of scaling errors. Word may automatically compress or resample images, which can slightly alter the required 35×45 mm dimensions.
For this reason, it is safer to use a pre-made passport photo template where the dimensions are already correctly set, ensuring accurate printing without layout distortions.