Why a 4 × 6 print works
A 4 × 6 inch print has room for six 2 × 2 inch photos in a 3 by 2 grid. You order one ordinary print, then cut the photos apart. The Framefare sheet is laid out this way: 1800 × 1200 pixels at 300 dpi, six photos, no cut lines, so you cut at the 2 inch marks with a ruler.
This is for paper applications (new adult passport, mail-in renewal, child passports, many visa interviews). For online renewal you upload the digital file and print nothing.
Cost per 4 × 6 print
Prices checked on each store’s photo page on October 21, 2026. They change, and the cart shows the final price.
| Store | 4 × 6 print | Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Walgreens Photo | $0.39 each for 1–99 prints (from $0.29 in bulk) | Same day at most stores, often about an hour |
| Walmart Photo | $0.18 each | About 1 hour at the store you pick |
| CVS Photo | Price shown in the cart; 20 cent promotions have run | Free same-day pickup at 7,500+ stores |
One sheet is one print. Order two if you want a spare set for another application.
Settings that matter
- Upload the print sheet, not the single 600 × 600 photo. Pick size 4 × 6.
- Choose glossy or matte. The State Department accepts both on photo-quality paper.
- Turn off auto-crop, "fill" and any auto-enhance or red-eye fix. Print at actual size, never "fit to page".
- Pick up the print and check it with a ruler: each photo must be exactly 2 × 2 inches and the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top.
- Cut straight along the 2 inch marks. A damaged photo with creases or smudges can be rejected.
Do not do this
- Do not scan or photocopy a print. The State Department rejects photocopies and scans.
- Do not print on plain office paper. Prints need photo-quality paper with no visible printer dots.
- Do not let the store retouch the image. Photos with software changes are not accepted.
Store booth or digital file?
A store employee takes the photo against a real white screen, which avoids the edited-photo problem entirely. It costs more: see our passport photo cost comparison. If you already have a good picture and want it sized correctly, $2.49 plus a few cents of printing is the cheaper route.
Common questions
Can I print a passport photo at CVS from my phone?
Yes, for the print. CVS Photo lets you upload from your phone and pick up a 4 × 6 the same day. Upload the print sheet so the six 2 × 2 photos come out at the right size.
Which is cheapest: CVS, Walgreens or Walmart?
On the prices we checked, Walmart at $0.18 for a 4 × 6. CVS runs promotions as low as 20 cents. Walgreens listed $0.39 each. Check your cart; local pricing and promotions change.
Can I print at home?
Only on photo-quality paper with a printer that leaves no visible dots, at actual size. Most home printers on plain paper fail. A drugstore print is cheaper than the ink and paper.
How do I cut the photos?
Each photo is a 2 inch square. Measure 2 inches along the long edge of the 4 × 6 and cut straight. The sheet has no cut lines.
Sources
Rules checked October 21, 2026. Framefare is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, USCIS or any government agency, and cannot guarantee that your photo is accepted.