How to Print Passport Photos on a Canon Printer

Exact settings for Canon printers: paper type, quality mode, and the one scaling setting that keeps your photo at a true 2×2 inches. Works from Windows, Mac, or the Canon PRINT app on your phone.

Works with PIXMA, MAXIFY & SELPHYFree 4×6 layout at 300 DPIUS State Department compliant~$0.05 per photo

Step 1 is making a compliant photo — upload yours and get a print-ready 4×6 sheet in seconds

The Short Answer

To print a passport size photo on a Canon printer: load 4×6 glossy photo paper, print your 4×6 passport layout at Actual Size (100% — never “Fit to Page”), paper type Photo Paper Plus Glossy II / Glossy Photo Paper, quality Best, borderless OFF. Then cut each photo to exactly 2×2 inches along the guide lines.

SettingCorrect valueWhere to find it
Paper size4×6 in (10×15 cm)Print dialog → Paper Size
Paper typePhoto Paper Plus Glossy II / Glossy Photo PaperPrinter Properties → Media/Quality
Print qualityBest / HighPrinter Properties → Quality
ScalingActual Size — 100%Print dialog → Scale / Fit
BorderlessOFFPrinter Properties → Layout
Color optionsStandard color — no enhancementPrinter Properties → Quick Setup → uncheck Auto Photo Fix

Step-by-Step: Passport Photos on a Canon Printer

From photo file to cut 2×2 prints in about 5 minutes.

  1. 1

    Create your 4×6 passport photo layout

    Upload a photo to our tool. It crops to exact 2×2 inches, fixes the background to plain white, verifies head size against US State Department rules, and gives you a 4×6 sheet with four photos and cut lines at 300 DPI.

  2. 2

    Load 4×6 photo paper into your Canon printer

    Place 4×6 glossy photo paper in the photo/rear tray with the guides snug against the paper, glossy side facing the print direction for your model.

  3. 3

    Open the file and choose print settings

    Open the 4×6 layout in Canon PRINT app, Windows Photos, or macOS Preview and click Print. Select your Canon printer.

  4. 4

    Set paper size, type, and quality

    Paper size: 4×6 in (10×15 cm). Paper type: Photo Paper Plus Glossy II / Glossy Photo Paper. Quality: Best/High. Color: full color.

  5. 5

    Set scaling to Actual Size — not Fit or Fill

    Choose Actual Size / 100% scaling and turn OFF borderless. 'Fit to page,' 'Fill,' or borderless mode rescale the sheet and your photos will no longer measure 2×2 inches.

  6. 6

    Print, dry, and cut

    Print the sheet, let the ink dry for a minute, then cut along the printed guide lines with a ruler and craft knife. Verify each photo measures exactly 2×2 inches.

The #1 mistake: Fit to Page

Print dialogs default many photo prints to “Fill” or “Fit to Page.” Either one rescales the sheet, so your photos print at 1.9″ or 2.1″ instead of 2×2 — the most common reason home-printed passport photos get rejected. Always select Actual Size (100%).

Make Your Print-Ready Passport Photo First

Upload a photo — we crop to exact 2×2, fix the background to white, and give you a 4×6 sheet with cut lines, ready for your Canon printer.

Start Creating Your Photo

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Settings by App: Canon PRINT app, Windows, Mac, iPhone

Canon PRINT app (phone)

  1. 1Open the 4×6 layout file → tap Print
  2. 2Printer: select your Canon model
  3. 3Paper Size: 4×6 (KG) · Media Type: Glossy Photo Paper
  4. 4Quality: High · turn OFF 'Fit to paper'
  5. 5Print from the rear/photo tray

Windows (Photos app)

  1. 1Right-click the file → Print
  2. 2Paper size: 4×6 · Quality: High · Media: Photo Paper Plus Glossy II
  3. 3Uncheck 'Fit picture to frame'
  4. 4In Printer Properties, uncheck Auto Photo Fix II
  5. 5Print one test sheet first

macOS (Preview)

  1. 1Open file in Preview → File → Print
  2. 2Paper Size: 4×6 in (borderless OFF)
  3. 3Scale: 100% — do not 'Scale to Fit'
  4. 4Media & Quality: Photo Paper · Best
  5. 5Print

iPhone AirPrint

  1. 1Open the layout in Photos → Share → Print
  2. 2Select your Canon printer
  3. 3Paper Size: 4×6 (auto-detected from tray)
  4. 4Turn off 'Scale to fit' if shown
  5. 5Print

Notes by Canon Printer Series

All color Canon printers can produce a compliant passport photo. A few model-specific quirks:

Series4×6 photo trayWhat to watch for
PIXMA TS3500 / TS3700Rear tray onlyLoad 4×6 glossy side up in the rear feed; set paper size on the printer panel too
PIXMA TS6400 / TS8700Dedicated photo trayUse the upper photo tray for 4×6; main cassette is for letter paper
PIXMA TR4700 / TR8600Rear trayTurn off Auto Photo Fix II in the Quick Setup tab
MAXIFY GX / MB seriesRear trayOffice-focused inks — colors run slightly cooler; use Best quality
SELPHY CP1500Dye-sub cartridgePrints true 4×6 postcards — use the Canon SELPHY app and disable borders
megaTANK G seriesRear trayExcellent ink cost — about 1–2¢ per 4×6 sheet

Turn off Auto Photo Fix II

Canon drivers can apply automatic photo correction (Auto Photo Fix II) by default. It shifts the white background toward gray or blue — a rejection risk. Disable it under Printer Properties → Quick Setup → uncheck Auto Photo Fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I print a passport size photo on my Canon printer?

Load 4×6 glossy photo paper, open your 4×6 passport photo layout, set paper size to 4×6 in, paper type to Photo Paper Plus Glossy II / Glossy Photo Paper, quality to Best/High, and scaling to Actual Size (100%). Print, then cut each photo to exactly 2×2 inches. Our tool generates the 4×6 layout with cut lines automatically.

What paper should I use for passport photos on a Canon printer?

Use 4×6 inch glossy or semi-gloss photo paper and select Photo Paper Plus Glossy II / Glossy Photo Paper as the paper type so the driver applies the right color profile. Plain copy paper is not accepted for US passport photos — they must be printed on photo-quality paper.

Why does my Canon printer cut off part of my passport photo?

Borderless mode or "Fit to Page" is rescaling the image. Turn borderless OFF and set scaling to Actual Size (100%). A 4×6 layout printed at 100% keeps each photo at exactly 2×2 inches.

What quality setting should I use on a Canon printer for passport photos?

Always the highest photo quality mode (Best/High). Draft and Standard modes produce banding and washed-out backgrounds that can get a passport photo rejected.

How much does it cost to print passport photos at home on a Canon printer?

Roughly $0.10–$0.25 per 4×6 sheet (ink plus paper), which yields four 2×2 passport photos — about 5 cents per photo, versus $15–$18 for two photos at a pharmacy photo counter.

Can I print passport photos on a Canon SELPHY?

Yes — the SELPHY CP1500 prints true 4×6 dye-sublimation photos that meet photo-quality requirements. Print the 4×6 layout from the Canon SELPHY app with borders off and cut the four 2×2 photos after printing.

Which Canon PIXMA is best for passport photos?

Any color PIXMA works. The TS8700 series (dedicated photo tray, 6-ink system) gives the most accurate skin tones; the budget TS3500 series is perfectly adequate on glossy paper at High quality.

Updated July 2026 · Settings verified against current Canon drivers and the Canon PRINT app.

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