How to print a 2x2 passport photo on 4x6 paper

Step by step

1. Prepare the 2x2 photo

   Start with a photo that meets the application rules before placing it on a print sheet.

2. Choose the multi-photo layout

   Select the 4x6 paper layout and review the number of copies and spacing shown in the preview.

3. Save at full quality

   Export the layout without taking a screenshot or sending it through an app that compresses images.

4. Print at 100% scale

   Choose 4x6 paper, Actual Size or 100%, and turn off Fit to Page and border cropping.

5. Measure and cut

   Confirm that one image is exactly 2x2 inches before cutting the photos apart.

Photo size and paper size are different

The 2x2 measurement describes each finished photo; 4x6 describes the paper. Six squares fit only if there are no margins or gaps. Passport Booth leaves space in its layouts, so use the copy count shown by the app rather than forcing six photos onto the sheet. Keep the photo dimensions fixed.

Passport Booth includes single-photo and multi-photo formats. Choose the country and document first, review the photo, then select the multi-photo layout. Saving the prepared sheet preserves the relationship between the image boxes and the paper size.

Protect the scale when printing

The most common printing error is automatic enlargement or shrinking. In the print dialog, select the 4x6 paper size and look for Actual Size, 100% or a similar setting. Turn off Fit to Page, Fill Page and borderless expansion if those options change the scale.

Photo kiosks and retail apps sometimes crop files to fill the paper. Review the preview carefully. If an outer edge of the layout disappears, the service may be enlarging the image. Choose an option that preserves the complete 4x6 file.

Use suitable paper and print quality

Follow the application instructions for paper finish and print quality. Use a clean print without visible pixels, colour casts, banding or ink marks. Do not resize a low-resolution screenshot because it may look sharp on a phone and still print poorly.

Let an inkjet print dry before stacking or cutting. Keep fingers away from the face area and use a ruler with a sharp cutter or scissors. Avoid rounded corners unless the application specifically permits them.

Measure before cutting the whole sheet

Use a ruler to check the outer edges of one photo. It should measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches for a US passport application. If it does not, stop and correct the print settings instead of trimming the image to compensate.

Physical size is only one requirement. The head size, background, expression, recency and image integrity must also meet the current official rules. The US Department of State requires an original, unchanged photo, so a correctly sized print can still be rejected if the underlying image was altered.