How to Print Passport Photos on a Epson Printer

Exact settings for Epson 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 Epson Smart Panel app on your phone.

Works with EcoTank, Expression & WorkForceFree 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 Epson printer: load 4×6 glossy photo paper, print your 4×6 passport layout at Actual Size (100% — never “Fit to Page”), paper type Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Photo Paper Glossy, 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 typeEpson Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Photo Paper GlossyPrinter Properties → Media/Quality
Print qualityBest / HighPrinter Properties → Quality
ScalingActual Size — 100%Print dialog → Scale / Fit
BorderlessOFFPrinter Properties → Layout
Color optionsStandard color — no enhancementPrinter Properties → Main → Color Correction → select Standard (not PhotoEnhance)

Step-by-Step: Passport Photos on a Epson 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 Epson 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 Epson Smart Panel app, Windows Photos, or macOS Preview and click Print. Select your Epson printer.

  4. 4

    Set paper size, type, and quality

    Paper size: 4×6 in (10×15 cm). Paper type: Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Photo Paper Glossy. 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 Epson printer.

Start Creating Your Photo

Free to try • Pay only for HD download

Settings by App: Epson Smart Panel app, Windows, Mac, iPhone

Epson Smart Panel (phone)

  1. 1Open the 4×6 layout file → tap Print
  2. 2Printer: select your Epson model
  3. 3Paper Size: 4×6 in · Paper Type: Premium Glossy
  4. 4Quality: High · turn OFF 'Fit to page'
  5. 5Print from the rear/photo feed

Windows (Photos app)

  1. 1Right-click the file → Print
  2. 2Paper size: 4×6 · Quality: Best Photo · Paper: Premium Photo Paper Glossy
  3. 3Uncheck 'Fit picture to frame'
  4. 4In Printer Properties → Color Correction, choose Standard (not PhotoEnhance)
  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. 4Print Settings: Premium Glossy · Best Quality
  5. 5Print

iPhone AirPrint

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

Notes by Epson Printer Series

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

Series4×6 photo trayWhat to watch for
EcoTank ET-2800 / ET-2850Rear feedLoad 4×6 glossy side up; extremely low ink cost (~1¢ per sheet)
EcoTank ET-8500 PhotoFront photo cassette6-color photo inks — the best home passport photo quality Epson makes
Expression Home XP-4200Rear feedSwitch Color Correction from PhotoEnhance to Standard
Expression Photo XP-8700Dedicated photo trayUse the upper 4×6 tray; 6-ink Claria for accurate skin tones
WorkForce WF seriesMain cassettePigment office inks print slightly matte — use Epson glossy paper and Best quality
SureColor P seriesSheet feedPro photo printers — overkill but flawless; use Premium Glossy media setting

Turn off PhotoEnhance

Epson drivers can apply automatic photo correction (PhotoEnhance) by default. It shifts the white background toward gray or blue — a rejection risk. Disable it under Printer Properties → Main → Color Correction → select Standard (not PhotoEnhance).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Load 4×6 glossy photo paper, open your 4×6 passport photo layout, set paper size to 4×6 in, paper type to Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Photo Paper Glossy, 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 Epson printer?

Use 4×6 inch glossy or semi-gloss photo paper and select Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Photo Paper Glossy 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 Epson 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 Epson 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 Epson 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.

Is an Epson EcoTank good for printing passport photos?

Yes — EcoTanks are arguably the best value for home passport photos. Refillable ink brings the cost to about 1 cent per 4×6 sheet (four photos), and photo models like the ET-8500 rival lab prints on Epson glossy paper.

Why do my Epson passport photos look too vivid or orange?

Epson's PhotoEnhance color correction is on. It boosts saturation and warms skin tones, which can also tint the white background. Switch Color Correction to 'Standard' in the driver (Main tab) and reprint.

Updated July 2026 · Settings verified against current Epson drivers and the Epson Smart Panel app.

Related Guides & Tools

Print 2×2 Passport Photos

Full printing guide — home, pharmacy, or photo lab

Where to Print 2×2 Photos

Every printing option compared by price and speed

HP Printer Settings

The same guide for HP printers

Canon Printer Settings

The same guide for Canon printers

Brother Printer Settings

The same guide for Brother printers

4×6 Photo Template

Free printable 4×6 layout with four 2×2 photos

Free Photo Checker

Test your photo against US rules before printing

2×2 Passport Photo Maker

Create your compliant 2×2 photo first