Retailer alternative
Passport Photo at Staples
Staples may be useful for local printing, but your passport photo still needs the official 2x2 size, plain background, correct head position, and original unedited image quality.
Ask whether your local store prints on photo-quality paper.Prepare the 4x6 sheet before ordering.Measure the final 2x2 print.
Photo rules
What the photo needs
| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches for printed U.S. passport photos |
|---|---|
| Head position | Centered face with head sized 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects |
| Lighting | Even light with no harsh shadows, washout, blur, grain, or pixelation |
| Expression | Face the camera directly with eyes visible and mouth closed |
| Digital changes | Original photo only, with no filters, retouching, background replacement, or AI changes |
Reviewed against U.S. State Department passport photo guidance. Last reviewed July 16, 2026.
Steps
How to get it done
- Confirm your local Staples can print a 4x6 photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
- Prepare a sheet with two 2x2 photos and bring the file in the format the store accepts.
- Ask for a print at its prepared size, without fit-to-page scaling or automatic cropping.
- Check the printed dimensions, head size, sharpness, and background before submitting it.
Before you submit
Common mistakes
- Assuming every Staples location offers photo-quality printing.
- Choosing ordinary copy paper or a document-print setting.
- Letting the printer scale or crop the 4x6 layout.
- Skipping a check of the physical print.
Compare options
Store photo vs online passport photo
| Option | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Retail counter | A printed 2x2 photo from an in-store camera setup. | Requires a trip, store availability, and another visit if the photo is rejected. |
| Do-it-yourself print | A photo sheet you print at home, at CVS, or at another photo kiosk. | Paper quality, sizing, shadows, and cropping still have to be right. |
| PassportSnapper | $8 validated output for your selected application type. | You still need to submit online or print on photo-quality paper for paper applications. |
Common questions
FAQ
Can office stores print passport photos?
They may print photo products, but passport acceptance depends on the image meeting official requirements.
Should I use regular paper?
No. The State Department says printed passport photos should be on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
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