Passport photos are necessary for the majority of our official documents. These small-sized photos help us to get a passport, visa, and travel to different parts of the world.
Not only for overseas travels, but we also need passport photos for a job and school application, along with identity cards and other official documents.
Passport photos are an important part of various essential documents and cards; therefore, we need top-quality printing for passport photos.
Out of all the printing machines available in the market, only a few of them are suitable for printing passport photos.
Our team has tried and tested several printers in search of the best printer for passport photos.
In this guide, we will review some of our hand-picked passport photo printers.
Things To Check Before Buying A Printer For Passport Photos
Before choosing a passport picture printer, the factors you should consider are printing technology, printing resolution, cartridge configuration, compatibility, and printer size. We know that passport photos must be clear and high-quality; to ensure that, you must take care of these factors.
Printing technology
The inkjet and color laser printer can print on photo paper, but users prefer inkjet. It does better because it can blend smooth colors than the laser printers. For personal use, you can choose other technologies like Zink, instant ink, or dye-sublimation printer, as people use these widely and prefer them for personal use.
Printing Resolution
Different printer models come with varying measures of printing resolution.
Excellent quality printing is necessary to print passport photos,. thus, we have to purchase a printer with a high printing resolution.
Concerning the different printing resolutions, 300 dots per inch (dpi) is standard. But for photo printing, we generally recommend a much higher printing resolution.
Cartridge Configuration.
In a photo printer, the ink quality determines the accuracy of the photos or texts you print. And cartridge configuration determines the ink quality of the printer.
A higher cartridge configuration ensures a better ink quality, and a better ink quality ensures the printing quality is more detailed.
For photo printers, we recommend that users purchase a printer with a printing configuration of at least 4 ink cartridges.
A few printers come with ink reservoirs instead of ink cartridges. One example of such a printer is the Epson EcoTank ET-2720. The ink reservoir technology generally needs less replacement and is more affordable than ink cartridges.
Compatibility
Various printing machine models are available in the market, but not all are compatible with all types of devices.
The compatibility of a printer usually depends on the connectivity options it supports.
Different connectivity options help the printer establish a connection with various devices.
Before you go to buy a passport photo printing machine, make sure to check whether it is compatible with your camera and other devices or not.
Modern printers come with Wi-Fi direct and mobile connectivity features. So, you can easily print passport photos via a Smartphone or tablet.
printer size
You may feel to print a photo instantly while you are on tour. In that case, you would prefer a printer that is easier to carry and does not burden your backpack. So, choosing a small photo printer can be an important buying criterion. A portable photo printer can be an excellent option for printing photos while traveling.
Our Recommendation On Best Printer For Passport Photos
The following five recommended photo printers will allow printing your headshot at home. It’s that easy and quick.
- Best Ink Tank Printer For Passport Size Photos: Epson EcoTank ET-2720
- Best Portable Printer For Passport Photo: Canon SELPHY CP1300
- Best Passport Photo Printer For Home: Epson Expression Photo XP-970
- Best Passport Photo Printer For Shop: Epson PictureMate PM-400
- Best Dye Sublimation Printer For Passport Photo: HiTi P310W
1. Best Ink Tank Printer For Passport Size Photos – Epson EcoTank ET-2720
Selection Criteria:
- Printing Technology : Inkjet – My Scores – 10/10
- Resolution : 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores – 10/10
- Cartridge Configuration : Ink tank – My Scores – 10/10
- Compatibility : Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet – My Scores – 10/10
- printer size : 13.7 x 14.8 x 8.7 inches – My Scores – 5/10
About Epson EcoTank ET-2720
For a passport size photo printing machine, the first printer we are going to review today is the Epson EcoTank ET-2720.
Before discussing any other feature of this printing machine, let us talk about the printing resolution of this model. This printer has a printing resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, which shows that it has a great resolution for photo printing.
This printer features the Epson EcoTank Cartridge-Free system and can print, copy, and scan documents without any trouble.
The cartridge-free system means that it does not feature any ink cartridges. Instead of those regular ink cartridges, it features 4 ink reservoirs including cyan, black, magenta, and yellow. According to us, it is a great idea as the reservoirs can carry a larger amount of ink and do not require replacement as often as regular cartridges.
This printing machine has a maximum printing size of 8.5 inches x 47.2 inches. It prints black and white documents and images at a speed of 10.5 pages per minute. And it prints color images and documents at a speed of 5 pages per minute.
It supports USB and Wi-Fi connectivity and also features hands-free voice-activated technology. But it does not support Ethernet or features a memory card slot.
The hands-free voice-activated printing technology is new and is available in only a few printer models.
Pros:
- Excellent printing quality of 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Features Epson Cartridge-Free system
- Supports printing, copying, and scanning
Cons:
- The screen might seem small to many users.
2. Best Portable Printer For Passport Photo – Canon SELPHY CP1300
Selection Criteria:
- Printing Technology : Dye Sublimation – My Scores – 10/10
- Resolution : 300 x 300 dpi – My Scores – 6.5/10
- Cartridge Configuration : Ink Cassette – My Scores – 7/10
- Compatibility : USB – My Scores – 7.5/10
- printer size : 7.1″(W) x 5.4″ (D) x 2.5″(H) – My Scores – 10/10
About Canon SELPHY CP1300
The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is another printer that made its place on the list of passport photo printers.
If we discuss the printing resolution of this printer, then we will see that it has a printing resolution of 300 x 300 dpi.
This printing machine uses dye sublimation or thermal transfer to print and features an ink palette of 4 colors including cyan, magenta, black, and yellow.
This machine prints a 4 inches x 6 inches document or image within 47 seconds of establishing the connection. And it can print a 2.1 inches x 3.4 inches photo or paper within 39 seconds.
The photos printed by this printer dry instantly so you do not have to wait for long. The ‘water-resistant’ feature saves the photos from damage and keeps them in a great condition for a long time.
This printer supports USB Type-A, USB Mini-B, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi direct, and it also features a single memory card slot. All these connectivity options mean that the users can print the passport photos without any struggle.
Pros:
- Great connectivity options
- Standard printing quality
- Features a memory card slot
Cons:
- Quality is outstanding but the inks run out quickly.
3. Best Passport Photo Printer For Home – Epson Expression Photo XP-970
Selection Criteria:
- Printing Technology : Inkjet – My Scores – 10/10
- Resolution : 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores – 10/10
- Cartridge Configuration : 6 Ink Cartridge – My Scores – 10/10
- Compatibility : Wi-Fi – My Scores – 10/10
- printer size : 17 x 11 x 6 inches – My Scores – 5/10
About Epson Expression Photo XP-970
The printing machine we are going to review now is another great printer by Epson, the Epson Expression Photo XP-970.
If we compare this printer with the Epson EcoTank ET-2720, then we will see a lot of similarities between these two.
This inkjet printer features a printing resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, which is the same as the Epson printer we reviewed above.
This printing machine can print, scan, and copy images and documents, and it also features duplex printing along with borderless printing. The maximum printing size for borderless printing is up to 11 inches x 17 inches.
This digital passport photo printer has an impressive printing speed for color photos and documents. It can print a 4″ x 6″ photo in an impressive 11 seconds! The printing speed for monochrome documents is 8.5 pages per minute and the speed is 8 pages per minute for colored documents.
This passport size photo printing machine comes with 6 ink cartridges including cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, and black.
About the connectivity options supported by this printer, it supports USB Type-B, RJ45, and Wi-Fi. This printing machine also supports a single slot for a memory card, which makes it easier to print directly from the cameras. The 4.3” touchscreen allows you to print directly from the machine without needing a PC.
Pros:
- Outstanding quality of printing
- Features duplex printing and borderless printing
- Maximum printing size of 11 inches x 17 inches
- Can print a 4 x 6 photo in 11 seconds.
Cons:
- The ink cartridges are tiny, so can handle a small number of documents before running out.
4. Best Passport Photo Printer For Shop – Epson PictureMate PM-400
Selection Criteria:
- Printing Technology : Inkjet – My Scores – 10/10
- Resolution : 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores – 10/10
- Cartridge Configuration : 1 CMYK Cartridge – My Scores – 6.5/10
- Compatibility : Wi-Fi, USB – My Scores – 10/10
- printer size : 15.1 x 9.8 x 7.9 inches – My Scores – 5/10
About Epson PictureMate PM-400
Similar to the two other printers manufactured by Epson mentioned above, this printing machine also has a printing resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi.
Unlike the two other Epson passport photo printers we have reviewed, this printer only features photo printing and cannot scan, copy or fax documents and images. However, it does a fine job at the task you need, passport photo printing.
This printer comes with a borderless printing feature up to the maximum size of 5inchesx 7 inches.
It prints a 4 inches x 6 inches document or image within 36 seconds of establishing the connection. This is quite a decent printing speed for printing passport photos.
This printing machine comes with a cartridge configuration of one cartridge, that isCMYK ink palette. A CMYK palette includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and key color. The key color of any printer is black.
This printer supports USB, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi direct, and it is also compatible with various memory card types. The total wireless connectivity option of this printer allows users to print photos via iPad, smartphones, and tablets.
Pros:
- Features borderless printing
- Decent printing speed
- Great quality of printing
Cons:
- Single cartridge means if you use one color mostly, others are going to be wasted despite being unused.
5. Best Dye Sublimation Printer For Passport Photo – HiTi P310W
Selection Criteria:
- Printing Technology : Dye Sublimation – My Scores – 10/10
- Resolution : 300 dpi – My Scores – 6.5/10
- Cartridge Configuration : Ribbon Cassette – My Scores – 7/10
- Compatibility : USB – My Scores – 7.5/10
- printer size : 10.1 x 8.3 x 5.5 inches – My Scores – 10/10
About HiTi P310W
A lot of us are not familiar with the name HiTi, but the brand has a great reputation in the world of passport picture printers.
The printing machine that we are going to review is the HiTi P310W.This printer has a decent and standard printing resolution of 300 dpi and is one of the finest ID photo printersyou can get.
Similar to the Canon SELPHY CP1300, this printer also comes with a dye sublimation printing technology and provides both glossy and matte finish depending on your requirement.
According to the printing speed of this printer, it prints a 4 inches x 6 inches photo within 47 seconds of establishing the connection.
An interesting factor about this printing machine is that it comes with a ribbon cassette and 1 cassette can print up to 60 good quality passport photos.
What impresses us the most about this small printing device is that it supports Wi-Fi connectivity and USB along with memory card compatibility.
Pros:
- Decent printing quality
- Great market reputation
- Good printing speed
Cons:
- Great for printing from PC, but printing with the Printbiz android app doesn’t deliver the finest quality.
Tips For Printing Passport Photo
There are a few tips that you must follow in order to get a great passport photo printout. And these tips are:
1. Use High Quality Printer: Use a high-quality passport photo printer for printing. These printers might not be cheap and one ink bottle might last only for 15-20 photos. However, the quality they deliver is amazing compared to cheap cost-per-photo printers.
2. Choose The Right Paper Thickness: For high quality passport photos, use at least 180 gsm paper of any reputed brand. Using too thin paper will decrease the print quality.
3. Choose The Number Of Ink Cartridge Wisely: Some printers come with only one ink cartridge, but that cartridge has different ink reservoirs.
If you’re using the printer for only one dominant color (say for example- yellow), other colors will be wasted and you have to purchase the whole thing when the dominant color runs out.
If you have such a case, choose a printer with different cartridges instead, so that you can just replace the cartridge you use most if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Printer Is Best For Passport Photos?
Experts and professionals generally require an inkjet printer for printing passport photos. However, make sure that the printer has a great printing resolution and a good cartridge configuration to ensure a good printing quality of your passport photos.
2. What Is The Cheapest Way To Print Passport Photos?
The cheapest way of printing passport photos for your personal use is to click the photos at a local photo center. They will then pass the pictures through a program and print them on paper for you.
This is ideal when you do not print photos as frequently. For frequent uses, you should purchase a printer as per our suggestions because that will be the cheaper option.
3. How Do I Print A 2×2 Passport Photo?
In order to print a 2×2 passport photo, you will first have to choose the picture you want to print. Crop the picture and adjust it to the passport photo requirements on your computer or any device.
Once you are satisfied with the result of the picture, adjust the size of the printout, choose the number of pictures you want, select the paper type and confirm printing.
4. Can My Printer Print Passport Photos?
If you want a printer suitable for printing passport photos, check the information on Amazon product page or product manual. Check if the printer can handle photo printing, especially in the size you require.
5. Can I Print A Passport Photo At Home?
Yes, you can easily print a passport photo at home using a great quality printer, proper paper type, and the proper image. Follow the tips we mentioned above and you should be good to go.
6. What Kind Of Paper Should I Print My Passport Photo On?
You can print your passport photo on any branded, photographic paper that comes with a minimum weight of 180 GSM.
You can use a glossy finish or a matte finish for your printed photo. However, if you’re printing passport size photos for actual passport uses, the finish depends on the passport requirements of the country you are applying for.
Passport photo printing on regular paper, cardstock, or any other non-photographic paper is not a feasible idea.
7. How Do I Print A Passport Size Photo?
Printing a passport size photo is actually easier than you thought. Nowadays, printers can print out more than just simple paper. If you want to print out a passport size photo, then open the photo and click print. First, you need to adjust the size of your photo and then print it.
8. Is A Laser Or Inkjet Better For Photos?
It is a common question whether an inkjet or a laser printer is good for printing photos. Inkjet is the answer to your question. Inkjet is known best for printing great quality photos. If you want to print a color photo, an inkjet should be your best choice.
9. What Is The Difference Between A Photo Printer And An Inkjet Printer?
Photo printers and inkjet printers have a few differences. First, photo printers are specially designed to print only photos. So if you want to print some text, then a photo printer is not a good option. They also cannot print larger documents.
In the case of inkjet, it can print good-quality photos along with the text. So you basically have a two-in-one printer.
10. Is A Photo Printer Better Than A Regular Printer?
If you have a photo printer, you will definitely get good-quality photos. But that is the only thing you will get from it. This is because photo printers can only print photos, not text. However, regular printers nowadays can produce great quality photos along with the text.
11. How Do I Print Passport Photos On My HP Printer?
Nowadays, it is very easy to print passport size photos from HP printers. First, make sure that you have a soft copy of the photo. Next, you need to open a photo editing app to adjust the size of the photo. Remember that the standard size for passport size is 2×2 inches.
Set the size of the photo and put a 4×6’’ size paper in the paper. Adjust the photo according to the paper. You can print multiple copies at once. After completing everything, you can now print the photo.
12. Can You Print Passport Photos On An Inkjet Printer?
If you have an inkjet printer then you can print passport photos with ease. Inkjet printers have a reputation for printing good quality photos. People often choose an inkjet printer since they are capable of printing colorful photos.
Conclusion
To help with your search for the best printer for passport photos, we have reviewed some of the top passport photo printers available currently in the market.
We sincerely hope that this guide will help you to find the ideal passport size photo printing machine that is suitable for you. Do not forget to pay close attention to the buying guide discussed here and check the printer details before buying.