How to Print 2x2 Photos on a PC

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How to Print 2x2 Photos on a PC
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If you've ever gotten a U.S. passport, you probably need 2x2 photo prints to include with your application. Other organizations also use this size of picture for identification and application photos, since they're commonly available for passport photos. You can go to many photo studios and other businesses like pharmacies to print a passport photo, but you can also print them at home with a PC and printer.

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Making 2x2 Photo Prints

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If you have a color printer, you can print a passport photo or any other 2x2 photo at home. Have a friend shoot the photos with a digital camera or even a smart phone with a high quality camera, and buy photo paper for your printer. Use software on the phone or your computer to crop the photo to 2x2 and verify it meets all the requirements of wherever you intend to use it.

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Load your printer with the photo paper and print the photo. Using a ruler and scissors, a knife or a paper cutter, neatly trim the photo to 2 inches by 2 inches. If you're using a ruler and scissors or a knife, you'll likely want to make pencil marks at the 2-inch-square points on the back of the photo, then carefully cut the photo. Cut in a straight line and take care not to cut yourself or anything else besides the photo paper.

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Use a Passport Photo App

You can find various apps for iOS and Android smart phones that will guide you in taking and helping you print a passport photo. Often a passport photo app will warn you if you're about to take a photo that doesn't meet the State Department's requirements.

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Many will allow you to upload your photo to have it printed and mailed to you. This can be a handy option if you don't have a printer or don't want to buy photo paper simply to print one photo or set of photos.

Have a Professional Print It

If you don't want to print the photo at home, you can go to a pharmacy, discount store or other business offering photo printing. Often, you can upload the photos from your phone or computer or bring them to the store on a memory card or USB memory stick. Check for stores around you offering photo printing.

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Many stores will also shoot passport pictures for you for an extra fee. This option saves you the hassle of having a friend shoot your photo and printing it at home.

Other Requirements for Passport Pictures

If you're applying for a U.S. passport, make sure your photos meet all the requirements so you don't waste time and money when you submit your paperwork. The photo should be taken on a plain white or off-white background and shot in color within the six months before your passport application.

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You should have someone else take your photo rather than submitting a selfie. Make sure the photo clearly shows your face with your eyes open and reflects your actual skin tone, and don't wear anything that looks like a uniform or camouflage clothing. If you wear glasses, take them off for the photo, and don't wear a hat, headphones or earbuds. Don't use social media filters or other techniques to alter the photograph. Print the image on photo-quality paper, not ordinary printer paper.

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Make sure your head takes up from 1 to 1 3/8 inches of the photo. Check the State Department website or your passport application to make sure you've met all the current requirements.

If you're applying in another country or using the 2x2 photos for a nonpassport purpose, check the rules that apply before shooting and printing your photos.

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