UK School card 35x45 mm Photo Size Requirements for GB (2025 Update)

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: Exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall, with a printing tolerance of ±1 mm
• Head size: Face height (chin to crown) must measure between 25 mm and 35 mm within the frame
• Eye placement: Eyes positioned 19 mm–24 mm from the bottom edge, measured vertically to the centre of the pupils
• Background: Plain off-white or very light grey backdrop with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Facial expression: Neutral expression only, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible—no smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows or teeth showing
• Head orientation: Full front view with head straight and level, not tilted or turned, and hair must not obscure the face or shoulders
• Lighting and contrast: Even, diffuse lighting across face and background, no shadows, reflections, red-eye or glare
• Glasses and headgear: Thin-framed, clear-lens glasses allowed if worn daily (no reflections or tinted lenses); head coverings only for religious reasons, with full facial features visible
• Photo quality and paper: Printed on high-resolution (600 dpi+), matte or glossy photographic paper; must be free of creases, ink marks, fingerprints or tears
• Photo currency: Taken within the last month in full colour, with natural skin tones, no digital filters or heavy retouching

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Prepare and capture the image by choosing a plain light-grey or cream background, using a high-resolution camera (min. 800×1 200 px) on a tripod 3–5 m from the subject, ensuring even lighting to eliminate shadows, instructing the pupil to look straight with a neutral expression, framing the head so the chin-to-crown height is between 29–34 mm and centered horizontally, and shooting in RAW or highest-quality JPEG to preserve colour and detail.
• Second step: Process, print and verify why it matters by cropping the digital image to exactly 35×45 mm at 600 dpi in editing software, confirming head size, eye line (35–40% from the bottom edge), and background uniformity, adjusting white balance for natural skin tones, printing on matte 100–120 gsm photo paper without borders, and measuring the final print to ensure strict compliance—this prevents school ID rejection and ensures the card machine reads the image reliably.

Tips and Best Practices

• Frame Alignment: Ensure the head occupies 29–34 mm of the 35×45 mm frame and is perfectly centered to comply with GB ID software requirements and avoid automatic cropping that cuts off features
• Background Consistency: Use a plain light grey or cream background free of patterns, textures, or shadows to meet UK school-card specs and prevent rejections due to non-compliant backdrops
• Proper Lighting: Employ even, diffused front lighting to eliminate shadows, hotspots, and glare on the face and background, ensuring clear facial detail and avoiding software flagging for poor illumination
• Neutral Expression: Maintain a natural expression with mouth closed and eyes open, looking straight at the camera to guarantee accurate identity matching and avoid rejection for exaggerated or smiling poses
• Print Quality: Print at 600 dpi on smooth, matte photographic paper with no creases or gloss reflections to ensure crisp detail and avoid physical defects that often cause photo refusals

Conclusion

In summary, UK school card photos must meet precise technical and appearance standards to ensure seamless processing:

• Dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm with square-cornered edges
• Head size and positioning: head height 29–34 mm (chin to crown) and centered vertically and horizontally
• Background: plain, light-coloured (white or very light grey), with no patterns or shadows
• Facial expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Recency and quality: taken within the last month, in sharp focus, free of red-eye and over/under-exposure
• Head coverings and accessories: only permitted for religious or medical reasons; hair must not obscure the face
• Glasses: if worn regularly, use thin frames, no tinted lenses, and avoid reflections

Adhering strictly to these requirements will minimize rejection risk and ensure the student’s photo is accepted without delay.