10 Most Common Paper Sizes for Printing Photos Worldwide

Which paper size is best for printing your photo at home, or for ordering prints? Here is the answer to this question. We have created a list of the most popular and commonly used paper sizes in the world.

The most common paper sizes for printing photos are:

1. Argentina – ISO A and B Series
2. Canada – Non-metric traditional paper sizes
3. European Union – ISO A, B and C Series: Metricated traditional paper sizes
4. Japan – JIS A and B series: Metricated traditional paper sizes
5. United Kingdom – ISO A, B and C series: Metricated traditional paper sizes
6. United States – Non-metric traditional paper sizes.

List of Paper Sizes, with Height:Width ratio:

1. 4R Photo Paper – 4x6 inches  (4"x 6”)  – Aspect Ratio: 3:2

If you are an amateur or a portrait photographer, then this standard paper size is good choice to print your photos because it is a suitable size for you to practice your art prints. It adds up a good stock of frames in a more cheap and size friendly way. However this paper size is very much popular in the South Asian parts of the world. So if you are a student and trying to make things less expensive for passport sized photos which are needed a lot of times then you can try this app from your smartphone called “Passport ID Photo Maker Studio”. Search on Google Play store for "ID Photo" or "Passport Photo" and get yourself the free version of the app. The app will create you a perfect combination of 9 pp. sized photos within the 4 x 6” space. So now you can print them as a single photo at rates of a 4 x 6” photo. And scissor it yourself later to have your ID photos.

2 - 5R Photo Paper – 5x7 inches (5"x 7”) – Aspect Ratio: 7:5

A 5 x 7” square inches paper for printing your photos has exactly a size of 127 x 178 mm and an aspect ratio of 7:5. This is a standard photographic print size and widely known as “13 x 18 cm” around the globe.  The alternate name of this print size is 5R.

3. 6R Photo Paper – 6x8 inches (6"x8") - Aspect Ratio: 4:3

A 6 x 8” square inches paper for printing your photos has exactly a size of 152 x 203 mm and an aspect ratio of 4:3. This is a standard photographic print size. The alternate name of this print size is 6R. This is paper size is best suited for the family photography, a photo for desk display or the better to create a wall collage of memories. This size is most popular, affordable and comfortable among all other sizes. If you are planning to make a wedding photo album or a collage of childhood memories then this might be the best paper size to print your photos

4. 8R Photo Paper – 8x10 inches (8"x10") –  Aspect Ratio: 5:4

A 8 x 10” square inches paper for printing your photos has exactly a size of 203 x 254 mm and an aspect ratio of 5:4. This is a standard photographic print size and widely known as “20 x 25 cm” around the globe. The alternate name of this print size is 8R. A slice of difference in size but both are very popular paper sizes among the photography and framing because these are perfect sizes of you are planning to open an art gallery with wall mounting or standing display on any flat surface. In short these are hanging pictures sizes. One of the top selling paper sizes for photos in USA.
A 8R is a great option to choose for your graduation and diplomas certificates whereas a 8.5 x 11” is very diverse paper size allowing you to print your photos.

5, 6. 11R and S11R – 11x14 inches and 11x17 inches – Aspect Ratio: 17:11 and 14:11

A 11 x 14” square inches paper for printing your photos has exactly a size of 279 x 356 mm and an aspect ratio of 14:11. This is a standard photographic print size and widely known as “28 x 36 cm” around the globe. The alternate name of this print size is 11R. A 11 x 17” square inches paper for printing your photos has exactly a size of 279 x 432 mm and an aspect ratio of 17:11. This is a standard photographic print size and widely known as mini posters around the globe. The alternate name of this print size is S11R. Both paper sizes are versatile, meaning they offer variety of display characteristics for the photo. These sizes are preferred mostly in the art shops, musical venues and theaters. If you are one of those silent artist or painter who is planning to sell your work through gallery and conventional space then this size will be appropriate for your photographs. A not too big and a not too small 11R and S11R paper sizes are great size option for your advertising policies in landscape orientation.

7. Collage – 16x20 inches  –  16"x20” – Aspect Ratio: 5:4

If you are perplexed with what sizes of photographs to hang over the wall of your home or if you are fond of wall arts then this paper size is what you must look for printing. This dimension is perfect for mid-sized displays of art in your walls. The photos fit in more decoratively. The design-driven art will reflect your quality interiors because this way you can make highlight pieces on your wall or part of mixture with other photos to form a collage on wall.

8. Decorative Design –  24x36 inches –  24"x36” – Aspect Ratio: 3:2

This is classic poster size for printing your photos, moreover something bigger than just a mere snap. It is very big paper size that can cover large space of your wall. It demands a firm support if you want it to stay for longer time. A high resolution and high pixel photograph demands such a big paper size. This size is mostly used as advertising flyers, movie posters and decorative designs. It is suitable for dorm room, black light, background photographs and your office walls.

9. Poster Sizes – 27x40 inches  –  27"x40”

27 x 36” might be looking small for your eyes then you need something bigger like 27 x 40” paper size that can totally satisfy your wall art space. They are next measurement upgrade. These are not so commonly used paper sizes but with the addition of bold framing you can have a large noticeable photographic presence all over your wall. This is the most common movie poster size used for advertising movies, events and basement decoration.

10. Bus Stop Poster - 40x60 inches –  40"x60” –  Aspect Ratio: 3:2

The largest photo paper size that is really big for any photo because it is commonly known as Bus Stop Size. This paper size of designing and art are for bus stops. This is the largest popular paper size unless you are going for custom sizes at your will.

Though our list consists of the most widely used photo sizes, the later ones are not quite of use to many people except they are engaged in advertising agencies. You can purchase the photo papers for printing your photos in local stationery stores. A glossy paper is required by most authorities for your photos to be accepted.

5 Places to Print Passport Photos in United Kingdom (UK)

It is a huge concern for the UK passport photo processing because there are a lot of examples of rejection and it is eminent if there are any fault in the passport photo making. You can find a lot of places to get your passport photos printed in the United Kingdom but some are weird enough to know that they exist and some don’t support such services. Here is the list of photo printing options in the UK.

List of Photo Photo Printing Options in UK

1. Photo booths

The photo booths are similar to telephone booths except it offers people to print passport and visa photos. These kinds of booths are very normal to be found if you are traveling in United Kingdom because shopping malls and marts in UK consist of these photo making tiny studios. In fact most photo booths in UK offer a UK version of passport photo printing service as well as some other countries like US and India. So these booths are very common places to look for printing your passport photo if you are near metro stations and large supermarkets.

2. Online website services

PhotoMountsUk is an online shop website offering best UK passport photo printing service in highest quality at best prices. They even have volume discounts and all courier deliveries are made by UPS in 1-2 working days. There are no limits over the bulk printing so it is a good option if you are with lots of different photos. All you need to do is place an order, submit your digital image and give your delivery address and you are good to go for as low as £2.95.

3. Local automated machines

If you need to print passport photos and you also in very hurry then there are other options in UK like ATM places. These are local automated machines similar to ATMs but they offer you passport photo printing service at lowest as £5 per set. These machines located nearby local streets in UK can help you with its services within 10 minutes. Only if you are planning to print in bulk as of all family members then it can add up to a lot of expenses regarding other options.

4. Bricks-and-mortar Print Shops

It is well known that online printing services are taking everyone with ease and comfort everywhere in world. But still there some old print shops like Minuteman Press Printing Franchise who are not into the internet commerce things and still manages to outcast big companies for such printing services. In UK, it is very popular and feasible to search for
a print shop to get your passport photo printed in standard rates. Despite the online craze of printing services, people still rely on these bricks-and-mortar print shops outside the UK cities. These print shops use digital printing and hence they offer print-on-demand service.

5. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS)

IPS is the official wing of the Government of UK Home Offices responsible for all the UK Passport Services. This includes from UK passport application processing, handling, printing to delivery process inside the country and overseas. This is probably the safest and most reliable destination for anyone willing to get the UK passport done in efficient and perfect manner because ultimately HM Passport Office is the sole issuer of UK passports. The fun part is that they deliver at your doorsteps via their new secure delivery system.

Alternative: DIY - Print at Home With Home Printer

Unless you are tired and boring to try new things around the technology, you can opt for the do it yourself with your own home printer. This is a much nicer alternative to try if you cannot do with ones mentioned above. For this, you need just three basic things to start with.

A good quality camera mobile or a smartphone (who don’t have possess a smartphone nowadays!), your own color home printer and a recommended android app “Passport ID Photo Maker Studio” with all the pro-tools for your ease.

Now all you need to do is install the passport photo utility app from Google Play Store and start taking the perfect photo. Everything else from photo editing to checking the requirements are performed by the app on your commands. Now connect the color home printer by means available like Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity or wired connections. And start printing your passport photo as much as you like. If you are planning to move to the US, don't forget to read our article dedicated to printing passport photos in the United States. Happy Printing!