How to Print Passport Photos on a 4×6 Sheet — Complete Guide 2026

US Passport Guide · Last verified: February 2026

The cheapest way to get printed passport photos: upload a 4×6 template with multiple 2×2 photos to Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens and print for $0.12–$0.35. This guide explains exactly how to do it — what file to upload, which settings to use, and how to cut the photos to the right size.

Why 4×6?

A 4×6 inch sheet is the standard photo print format at every US retail photo lab. It costs $0.12–$0.35. A single sheet can hold:

4 passport photos (2×2 inch arranged 2×2 on a 4×6 sheet) — fits in landscape orientation
6 passport photos (arranged 2×3) — requires a tighter layout but also fits
2 passport photos — simplest layout, most space per photo

The State Department requires 2 identical photos for paper applications. Print one 4×6 sheet and cut out 2 photos — cost: $0.35.

Step 1: Get your compliant digital file

You need a correctly sized, compliant JPEG before printing.

Option A: PixID ($4.99)

Upload your photo
PixID crops to correct head size, sets white background, runs compliance checks
Download the 4×6 printable sheet — photos already laid out, crop marks included
No face alteration — compliant with 2026 AI ban

Option B: Create your own layout

Start with a correctly sized photo (600×600 px minimum at 2×2 inches / 300 DPI)
Open a 4×6 inch (1200×1800 px at 300 DPI) canvas in any basic image editor
Arrange your 2×2 inch photos on the canvas
Leave a small gap between photos to make cutting easier
Export as JPEG

Important: Do not resize a photo from scratch — if your original is not correctly cropped to 2×2 inch proportions with the correct head height, print-sized errors become very obvious.

Step 2: Upload to your chosen retailer

Walmart Photo (walmart.com/photo)

Go to walmart.com/photo
Click "Prints" → "Standard Prints"
Upload your 4×6 file
Select size: 4×6 (10.16 × 15.24 cm)
Quantity: 1
Turn off auto-enhance — look for an option like "Auto-correct" or "Enhance" and disable it. You want your file printed exactly as-is.
Select your store for same-day pickup or choose delivery
Checkout — approximately $0.12–$0.25 per print (standard)

CVS Photo (cvs.com/photo)

Go to cvs.com/photo
Click "Prints" → "Photo Prints"
Upload your 4×6 file
Select size: 4×6
Disable auto-enhance — CVS's online system has this option under "editing tools." Turn it off.
Choose your local store for same-day pickup (typically 1 hour)
Cost: approximately $0.35 per print

Walgreens Photo (photo.walgreens.com)

Go to photo.walgreens.com
Click "Prints"
Upload your 4×6 file
Select size: 4×6
Disable any enhancement options
Choose store for pickup or delivery
Cost: approximately $0.35 per print

Costco Photo (via Shutterfly)

Go to the Costco/Shutterfly photo portal
Upload and order a standard 4×6 print
Costco members get 51% off: approximately $0.17–$0.28 per print
Note: Costco uses mail delivery — not same-day. Allow 5–7 business days.

Step 3: Critical setting — disable auto-enhance

Every retail photo portal has some form of automatic enhancement — it tries to "improve" your photo by adjusting colour, brightness, and sharpness. Disable it completely.

Why: your PixID-processed photo already has the correct colour balance for white background compliance. Auto-enhance may shift the white background toward cream or add artificial brightness that changes how the background looks when printed.

Where to find it:

Walmart: "Enhance" checkbox during the ordering process — uncheck it
CVS: "Editing tools" in the image review step — select "Original" or disable
Walgreens: "Auto-correct" option — disable before adding to cart

Step 4: Pick up and cut

After pickup, use scissors or a paper trimmer to cut the 4×6 sheet into individual 2×2 inch photos.

Cutting a 2×2 inch photo from a 4×6 sheet

Using a ruler and scissors:

Measure and mark 2 inches from each edge with a light pencil mark
Cut along the marks with sharp scissors
Check with a ruler — must be exactly 2×2 inches (±1mm tolerance)

Using a paper trimmer: More accurate than scissors. Set the guide to 2 inches, cut each dimension.

If you used a PixID printable sheet: Crop marks are already printed on the sheet. Cut along the marks.

Final check:

Photo is exactly 2×2 inches
No white borders beyond the photo edge
Edges are straight and clean
Image is sharp with no pixelation

Sizing for other countries

Most countries use 35×45 mm instead of 2×2 inch (51×51 mm). Here's how to lay out a 4×6 sheet for different sizes:

Photo size	Photos per 4×6 sheet
2×2 in (51×51 mm) — US	4
35×45 mm — UK, EU, India, etc.	4–6
50×70 mm — Canada	2
33×48 mm — China, Chinese visa	4–5

For non-US sizes, PixID generates a correctly sized printable sheet for your specific country.

Home printing vs retail printing

	Home printing	Retail (Walmart, CVS)
Cost	$0.05–$0.15/print (ink + paper)	$0.12–$0.35/print
Paper quality	Depends on your paper	Professional photo paper
Accepted by State Dept	Only with professional photo paper	Always (professional paper)
Convenience	Print immediately	1 hour to same-day
Quality consistency	Variable	Consistent

Canada note: Home-printed passport photos are explicitly prohibited in Canada. You must use a professional photo lab for Canadian passport and visa applications. Retail photo labs (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart) are compliant; your home inkjet printer is not.

Frequently asked questions

How do I print 2 passport photos on a 4×6 sheet?

Upload a 4×6 template file (from PixID or your own layout) to Walmart Photo, CVS, or Walgreens. Print as a standard 4×6 photo for $0.12–$0.35. Cut the two 2×2 photos from the sheet.

Can I print a passport photo at Walmart for $0.12?

Yes — standard 4×6 prints at Walmart cost $0.12–$0.25 depending on the location. Upload your 4×6 printable sheet and print it as a regular photo. You still need to cut the photos to size.

What is the correct file size for a 4×6 print?

For a 4×6 print at 300 DPI: 1200×1800 pixels. Your printable sheet from PixID is already sized correctly.

Do I need to disable auto-enhance at the photo lab?

Yes — always disable auto-correction or auto-enhance before printing. If enabled, the lab may adjust the white balance or colour of your photo, which can make the background appear off-white or yellowish.

Is a CVS or Walmart-printed photo accepted for a US passport application?

Yes. The State Department accepts photos printed at retail labs on professional photo paper. The photo content must meet specifications — where it was printed doesn't matter.

How do I cut the photos to exactly 2×2 inches?

Use a ruler and sharp scissors, or a paper trimmer set to 2 inches. US specifications allow ±1mm tolerance. Check with a ruler after cutting.