How to print passport photos correctly (home or shop)

Print passport photos at actual size — not fit-to-page. Paper, layout, and what to tell the shop.

What you'll need

• Phone with rear camera
• Plain wall or white sheet
• Even front light

Step 1: Prepare the background

Use a plain light wall. Stand one arm's length away to reduce shadows.

Step 2: Frame the shot

Rear camera at eye level. Leave headroom — see Passport photo print sheet — 4×6 layout for a local print shop for face-height rules.

Step 3: Light from the front

Face the window or lamp. Avoid overhead-only light.

Step 4: Export to spec

Crop, resize, then compress — see Indian passport photo size — 35×45 mm (2026 rules). Wrong order causes blur.

Common mistakes at each step

• HEIC from iPhone — convert to JPG
• Compress before crop — loses quality
• Ignoring minimum KB — over-compression fails too

Do it automatically

FAQ

Can I use the front camera? Rear camera is sharper; front works if the lens is clean.

Where is the full spec? See How to take a passport photo at home with your phone and the official notification.