Passport photo maker and print sheet

US passport photo requirements

A US passport photo is 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm). The head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must measure between 1 and 1⅜ in. The background should be plain white or off-white, and the photo must be recent and printed on photo-quality paper.

How many photos fit on each sheet

The tool picks the orientation that fits the most photos. Cut guides sit around each photo.

Print and trim

1. Open the file and print at 100% (“Actual size”), never “fit to page”.
2. Use photo paper, glossy or matte, or take the file to a drugstore photo counter.
3. Cut along the guides with a paper trimmer or scissors and a ruler.
4. Measure with a ruler: each photo should be exactly 2 in wide and 2 in tall.

Why make your own passport photo sheet

A home passport photo costs far less than a studio shot. For example, a drugstore often charges around $15 for two photos. With this tool, you print six photos on a single 4 × 6 in print.

Also, you choose when to shoot. Take the picture at home against a bare wall, then adjust brightness in the tool. However, always read the rules for your application, because a clerk can reject a dark or blurry photo.

In addition, one sheet covers several needs:

• First, you get photos for a passport or a visa.
• Also, you can add one to a school or job application.
• Then, you keep spares for a badge or a membership card.

How to shoot a photo that passes

The sheet is only as good as the original shot. So, spend a few minutes on setup.

1. First, stand a foot or two in front of a white wall so your shadow falls away.
2. Next, face a window and let daylight light your face evenly.
3. Then, ask a friend to hold the camera at eye level.
4. Keep your head straight, your mouth closed and your eyes open.
5. Take off glasses, hats and anything covering your face.

For example, a phone held too low distorts your chin. So, step back a little and crop in the tool. A picture 1,000 pixels wide is usually enough for a sharp result."

Passport photo sizes and pixel counts

The table below sums up the numbers that matter. As a result, you can check the template at a glance.

However, a file under 150 dpi looks soft in print. If you need a smaller file for an online form, see how to compress an image without losing sharpness."

Common passport photo mistakes

A few mistakes come up again and again. Fortunately, they are easy to avoid.

• For example, printing with Fit to page enlarges the photo and breaks the 2 × 2 in size.
• Also, a shadowed or colored background gets the photo rejected.
• Then, a big smile or a tilted head breaks the neutral pose.
• Finally, thin paper curls and makes cutting hard.

If you need a single cropped picture, try the ID photo tool. To label folders, use the label maker. For a badge design, look at the business card maker."

Questions to ask before you print the sheet

Before you print, check a few points. That way, your photo gets accepted the first time.

• First, is your picture recent, taken within the last six months?
• Next, is your face centered and sharp?
• Then, is the background plain, with no pattern or shadow?
• Finally, did you print a test copy on plain paper?

For example, measure the result with a ruler: it should read 2 inches by 2 inches. If the size differs, print again at 100%. A small scale error is enough to get an application sent back. Finally, store the prints in a sleeve, away from light and moisture.