How to Print Passport Photos for Under 50 Cents
Pharmacies and shipping stores charge $15 to $20 to take and print two passport photos. By tiling your photos onto a 4x6 inch sheet with FreshPassPhoto, you can order a standard 4x6 print at the same store for roughly 35 cents.
Key Takeaways
- Order as a standard 4x6" photo print, NEVER as a "passport photo service"
- A 4x6" sheet can hold two 2x2" photos or up to six 35x45mm photos
- Use glossy or semi-matte photographic paper
- Ensure "Fit to Page" is unchecked when printing to preserve true millimeter scale
- Cut carefully along the thin cut lines with scissors or an exacto knife
1. Why Pharmacies Charge $17 for 2 Cents of Paper
Drugstores like Walgreens and CVS charge $16.99 to $17.99 for passport photos because of the convenience fee of an employee holding a camera.
However, their digital printing kiosks produce standard 4x6 inch prints for just $0.35 to $0.40. Since a 4x6 sheet is twice the size of a 2x2 photo, you can easily fit multiple photos onto one print for pennies.
2. Step-by-Step Pharmacy Ordering Guide
Follow these four simple steps:
1. Generate your photo on FreshPassPhoto and click "Print Sheet (4x6)". Download the 1800x1200 pixel image.
2. Go to Walgreens.com, CVS.com, or WalmartPhoto.com (or open their mobile app).
3. Upload your 4x6 image under "Prints" (standard 4x6 print). Do NOT select the "Passport Photos" category.
4. Select Same-Day Pickup. Your total bill will be around $0.35.
3. Cutting Your Photos to Size
Pick up your 4x6 print and inspect the cut lines. Use sharp scissors, a craft knife, or a paper trimmer to slice along the lines.
Measure the cut photo with a ruler to confirm it is exactly 2x2 inches (51x51mm) or 35x45mm before affixing it to your application form.
Put it into practice with FreshPassPhoto
Ready to take your photo? Use our free browser-based maker to crop, align, and tile your photos onto a 4x6" print sheet in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the pharmacy refuse to give me the print if it looks like passport photos?
No. You are legally entitled to print any personal photograph on a standard 4x6 print. Automated print kiosks process thousands of photo collages daily without issue.
What kind of paper will the pharmacy print on?
Pharmacies use standard Fuji or Kodak professional photo paper, which fully meets the State Department and international requirements for photographic paper.