May 29, 2026 · Tips & Tricks

How to Print Passport Photos at Home 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide

Q: What DPI do I need to print a passport photo?

A minimum of 600 DPI is recommended for passport photo printing. For a standard ICAO 35×45mm photo at 600 DPI, the image file should be at least 827×1063 pixels. For a US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) photo at 600 DPI, the file should be at least 1200×1200 pixels. Higher resolution is better — 1200 DPI is ideal if your printer supports it.

Q: What are the best printer settings for passport photos?

Set your printer to the highest available resolution (600 DPI or higher). Ensure the colour profile is set to sRGB — do not use CMYK, which is intended for commercial printing. Disable any colour corrections, auto-enhancements, or sharpening filters in the printer driver. Set the print size to "actual size" (100%) — never use "fit to page" or "scale to fit" as this will distort the photo dimensions.

Printing your own passport photos at home can save time and money — if done correctly. The key requirements are 600 DPI minimum resolution, an sRGB colour profile, glossy photo paper, and printing at actual size without scaling. This guide covers everything you need, including where to print if you don't have a suitable printer and when home printing is not accepted.

Germany exception: BSI PointID rule

Home-printed passport photos are not accepted for German Reisepass or Personalausweis applications. Photos must be taken and certified by a BSI PointID-registered photographer. This rule does not apply to German visa photos or passport photos for other countries.

Technical Requirements at a Glance

Setting	Requirement
Resolution (DPI)	600 DPI minimum; 1200 DPI recommended
File resolution (35×45mm at 600 DPI)	827×1063 pixels minimum
Colour profile	sRGB (not CMYK)
Paper type	Glossy or semi-gloss photo paper
Paper weight	250gsm or heavier
Print scale	Actual size (100%) — never scale to fit
Colour enhancement	Disabled — use natural colours only

Step-by-Step: Printing Passport Photos at Home

Prepare the correct image file

Start with a photo that meets the composition requirements for your country — correct head height, white or off-white background, neutral expression, eyes open. For a 35×45mm ICAO photo at 600 DPI, the image must be at least 827×1063 pixels. Use an online tool or photo editing software to crop precisely.

Set the colour profile to sRGB

Open the image in your editing software and confirm the colour profile is sRGB. CMYK is used for commercial offset printing and will produce incorrect colours on a home inkjet printer. Most digital cameras and smartphones capture in sRGB by default.

Lay out multiple photos on an A4 sheet

To save paper and cost, arrange 6–8 passport photos on a single A4 sheet (210×297mm). At 35×45mm each, you can fit up to 6 photos in a 3×2 grid with space for cutting margins. Use a template in Word, Photoshop, or an online passport photo layout tool. Set the canvas to A4 at 300 DPI (2480×3508 pixels).

Load photo paper and configure printer settings

Load glossy or semi-gloss photo paper (250gsm+) into your printer. In the printer driver, select the correct paper type (e.g. "Glossy Photo Paper"), set the print quality to maximum, and ensure colour management is set to "No Color Adjustment" — let the application handle colour.

Print at actual size — never scale

In your print dialog, set the scale to 100% or "Actual Size". Never use "Fit to Page", "Scale to Fit", or "Shrink to Fit" — these resize the image and will produce photos with incorrect dimensions that will be rejected.

Cut carefully with scissors or a guillotine

Use a sharp pair of scissors or a paper guillotine for clean, straight edges. Rough or uneven edges are a common rejection reason. Leave a small white border of 1–2mm around the photo if cutting by hand. A cutting mat and metal ruler produce better results than scissors alone.

Common Home-Printing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake: Printing on plain office paper

Fix: Use glossy or semi-gloss photo paper, minimum 250gsm.

Mistake: Scaling the photo to fit the page

Fix: Always print at 100% actual size. Use a template layout.

Mistake: Using a CMYK colour profile

Fix: Keep the image in sRGB. CMYK produces a colour cast on inkjet printers.

Mistake: Low resolution (under 300 DPI)

Fix: Use a minimum of 600 DPI. Check the pixel dimensions before printing.

Mistake: Enabling colour enhancement or auto-correct in printer driver

Fix: Disable all printer colour corrections. Let the image file's colours print naturally.

Mistake: Tearing instead of cutting the photos

Fix: Use a sharp guillotine or scissors with a metal ruler. Rough edges cause rejection.

Where to Print If You Don't Have a Suitable Printer

If you don't have a photo-quality printer at home, many retail options can print digital files to the correct size:

Germany: DM, Rossmann photo terminals; Saturn/MediaMarkt photo services
United States: Walgreens, CVS, FedEx Office, US Post Office
United Kingdom: Boots, Tesco photo, Snappy Snaps
New Zealand: New Zealand PostShop, Countdown, The Warehouse
Switzerland: Migros photo, Coop, Manor
Australia: Australia Post, Big W Photo, Harvey Norman

When using a self-service kiosk, select the passport photo size for your country and confirm the dimensions before printing. Some kiosks default to different sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print passport photos at home?

Yes, in most countries you can print your own passport photos at home, provided the printed photo meets the official requirements: correct dimensions, minimum 600 DPI resolution, sRGB colour profile, and glossy photo paper. Germany is a notable exception — Reisepass and Personalausweis photos require a BSI PointID-certified photographer.

What DPI do I need to print a passport photo?

A minimum of 600 DPI is recommended. For a standard ICAO 35×45mm photo at 600 DPI, the image file should be at least 827×1063 pixels. For a US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) photo at 600 DPI, the file should be at least 1200×1200 pixels.

What paper should I use to print passport photos at home?

Use glossy or semi-gloss photo paper with a weight of at least 250gsm. Standard office paper is not suitable — it is too thin and the print quality is insufficient. Inkjet-compatible photo paper from Canon, Epson, or similar brands works well.

Will a home-printed passport photo be accepted?

In most countries including the UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, home-printed passport photos are accepted if they meet the official requirements. Germany is the main exception for Reisepass and Personalausweis.

What are the best printer settings for passport photos?

Set resolution to 600 DPI or higher, colour profile to sRGB, disable colour corrections, and print at actual size (100%). Never use "fit to page" scaling.

What is the BSI PointID rule in Germany?

The BSI PointID rule requires that photos for the German Reisepass and Personalausweis be taken and certified by a professional photographer registered with BSI PointID. Home-printed photos are not accepted for these documents in Germany.

Always verify current requirements with the official authority before submitting. Passport photo requirements vary by country and are subject to change. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for official guidance from your passport-issuing authority.

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