How to print headshots
A professional headshot print is an image prepared at its final size, set to about 300 PPI, and printed on paper suited to its use. This guide was updated on. Adobe identifies 300 PPI as the standard target for high-quality prints.
For most home prints, crop the image first, set the final dimensions, choose matte or luster paper, and select the matching paper type and photo-quality setting in the printer. A professional photo lab usually gives more consistent color, while a home printer works well for proofs, quick copies and small batches.
If you mean a passport, visa or driver's license photo, follow the requirements of the organization requesting it. Standard headshot sizes do not automatically meet official ID-photo rules.
Choose the Correct Headshot Print Size
Choose the print size before cropping the file. Each size has a different aspect ratio, and an automatic crop may remove part of the hair, shoulders or background.
| Use | Common print size | File size at 300 PPI | Recommended finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small proof or personal copy | 4 × 6 inches | 1,200 × 1,800 pixels | Glossy or luster |
| Portfolio or promotional print | 5 × 7 inches | 1,500 × 2,100 pixels | Matte or luster |
| Acting, modeling or professional portfolio | 8 × 10 inches | 2,400 × 3,000 pixels | Matte or luster |
| Multiple copies on one sheet | Letter, 8.5 × 11 inches | 2,550 × 3,300 pixels | Matte photo paper |
Use the dimensions supplied by the recipient if a casting agency, employer, publication or client has provided specific instructions.
Prepare the Headshot File Before Printing
- Start with the original, high-resolution image. Avoid screenshots, social media downloads and files sent through messaging apps because they may be compressed.
- Crop the image to the final print ratio. An 8 × 10 print has a different shape from a typical smartphone or camera image.
- Set the physical size in inches or centimeters.
- Set the resolution to 300 PPI. The file must still contain enough pixels at the chosen size. Changing the PPI setting cannot restore detail that is missing from the original file.
- Inspect the edges at 100% magnification. Check that the hair, shoulders and clothing are not cut off.
- Export a high-quality JPEG or use the format requested by the print lab.
Do not rely on Fit to Page when the physical size must be exact. That setting can enlarge or reduce the headshot.
Choose the Best Paper for Headshots
Matte or luster photo paper usually works best for professional headshots.
- Matte paper reduces glare and fingerprints. It works well for portfolios, presentations and documents that will be handled.
- Luster or semi-gloss paper gives stronger color and contrast than matte paper with less glare than glossy paper.
- Glossy paper produces vivid color but reflects more light and shows fingerprints easily.
- Plain office paper is fine for a rough proof but usually looks less polished than photo paper.
Match the printer driver to the paper in the tray. For example, choose Matte Photo Paper for matte paper or Glossy Photo Paper for glossy paper.
How to Print Headshots at Home
To print headshots at home, load the paper correctly, match the printer settings to the paper, confirm the scale and print one test copy.
1. Load the Photo Paper Correctly
Check which side of the sheet is printable. Many photo printers require the brighter or coated side to face a particular direction. Follow the printer's instructions and avoid touching the printable surface.
2. Open the Print Settings
Open the headshot in your photo editor, operating system preview or printing application. Select:
- The correct printer
- The correct paper size
- Portrait or landscape orientation
- The matching paper or media type
- Photo or Best Photo quality
- The required number of copies
Epson's printer instructions recommend selecting a compatible paper type and size, then choosing a photo-quality setting for photo printing.
3. Choose Borderless or Bordered Printing
Use borderless printing when the image should reach the edges of the paper. The printer may enlarge the image slightly to prevent white edges, which can remove a small amount from the photograph. Epson notes that borderless printing requires a compatible paper type and size, and that edge expansion can affect the visible image.
Use bordered printing when the entire headshot must remain visible or when you plan to trim the print manually.
For an exact 8 × 10 inch print on larger paper, bordered printing followed by trimming is often safer than borderless printing.
4. Check the Preview
Before printing, confirm that:
- The headshot is not stretched.
- The face is not too close to an edge.
- The selected paper size matches the loaded paper.
- Scaling is set to 100%, Actual Size or the required dimensions.
- The preview shows the intended crop.
5. Print One Test Copy
Print one copy before producing the full set. Check the skin tones, contrast, sharpness, crop and physical dimensions. If the result is too dark, dull or oversaturated, verify the paper type and print-quality settings before changing the image.
How to Print Several Headshots on One Sheet
To print multiple copies on one sheet:
- Create a new document using the paper size, such as US Letter.
- Place the headshot at its exact final dimensions.
- Duplicate the image as many times as needed.
- Leave space between copies for cutting.
- Add trim marks if accurate cutting is important.
- Print at 100% scale instead of using Fit to Page.
- Cut the copies with a paper trimmer or sharp craft knife.
For a professional portfolio, separate prints on suitable photo paper usually look better than several small copies on one sheet.
Should You Use a Home Printer or a Photo Lab?
Use a photo lab for final portfolio or submission copies. Use a home inkjet printer for proofs, small batches and urgent prints.
| Method | Best for | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home inkjet printer | Proofs, small quantities and urgent prints | Immediate control and convenience | Color may require calibration |
| Retail photo kiosk | Quick standard-size prints | Fast and inexpensive | Cropping and automatic correction may reduce control |
| Professional photo lab | Portfolio prints and presentation copies | More consistent color and finishing | Requires ordering and delivery or collection |
Use a lab when the headshot will be submitted professionally, displayed in a portfolio or printed at a larger size. A home printer is more practical when speed matters or when you want to test the crop before ordering the final prints.
If a lab offers automatic image correction, check whether you can disable it when the headshot has already been retouched and color-corrected.
How to Print Passport or ID Headshots
Passport and ID photos follow separate rules for size, head position, background, editing and paper. In the United States, a printed passport photo must be 2 × 2 inches, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, with the head measuring between 1 and 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. The U.S. Department of State warns that blurry, grainy, pixelated or incorrectly printed photos may be rejected.
For an official document:
- Use the exact dimensions specified by the issuing authority.
- Do not use creative retouching or filters.
- Do not assume that a professional 8 × 10 headshot meets ID-photo requirements.
- Print on photo-quality paper.
- Measure the finished print with a ruler before submitting it.
Best Settings at a Glance
- Resolution: 300 PPI at the final print size
- Paper: Matte or luster photo paper
- Quality: Photo or Best Photo
- Scaling: 100% or Actual Size
- Borderless printing: Use only when the printer and paper support it
- Color: Use the printer's recommended color settings unless the lab provides different instructions
For a formal submission, the recipient's specifications take priority over these general settings.