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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm with no borders or rounded corners
• Head size: between 29 mm and 34 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically in the frame
• Eye position: pupils positioned 20 mm–30 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Background: uniform light grey or cream, free of patterns, shadows, texture or objects
• Pose and framing: full-face view, head straight and centred, no tilt or turn, shoulders visible
• Facial expression: neutral with closed mouth, eyes open and clearly visible, no exaggerated smiles
• Lighting: even illumination across face, no shadows, glare or red-eye, natural skin tones
• Photo quality: high-resolution colour image printed on quality matte or glossy paper, no creases or defects
• Head coverings: only for religious observance, must not obscure hairline, forehead or face edges
• Glasses: allowed if normally worn, lenses clear (no tinted), frames thin, eyes fully visible, no reflections
• Clothing: everyday attire (school uniform OK), no logos or busy patterns, collars flat and not raised
• Recency: taken within the last six months, accurately representing current appearance

Step-by-Step Process

• Define UK school-card photo specifications: confirm the official requirements before you start
• Dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high
• Head size: distance from top of hair to bottom of chin must be 29 mm–34 mm
• Background: plain light grey or cream, no patterns or shadows
• Expression: neutral face, mouth closed, both eyes open, no hair across eyes
• Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months in full colour
• Prepare your photo environment: set up background, lighting, and camera
• Background setup: hang a seamless light-grey or cream backdrop at least 5 m wide
• Lighting placement: use two softboxes at 45° angles to eliminate shadows on face and background
• Camera position: place camera on tripod at child’s eye-level, about 5–2 m away
• Position the subject and check posture: ensure correct framing and comfort
• Seating/standing: use a simple chair without armrests or have child stand against the backdrop
• Body alignment: shoulders straight, facing camera squarely, head centred
• Expression guide: ask child to relax, look directly at lens, keep mouth closed and eyes open
• Capture the photo: use optimal camera settings and verify head measurements
• Camera settings: shoot in RAW or high-quality JPEG, aperture f/6–f/8, ISO 100–200, focal length 85 mm equivalent
• Take multiple shots: capture 5–10 images to select the best one with correct expression and lighting
• On-screen check: overlay a 35 × 45 mm guide in your camera or smartphone app to preview cropping
• Edit and crop to 35 × 45 mm: ensure accuracy of dimensions and head size
• Software: use Photoshop, Lightroom or any passport-photo app that allows precise cropping
• Crop guide: set output size to 35 × 45 mm, resolution to 600 dpi (minimum)
• Verify head dimensions: use on-screen ruler tool to check that chin-to-crown is 29 mm–34 mm
• Print on high-quality photo paper: choose correct materials and settings
• Paper type: glossy or matte professional 240–300 gsm photo paper
• Printer settings: select “photo paper,” highest print quality, colour management off (use “printer’s colour”)
• Quantity: print at least two spares in case of damage or rejections
• Final quality check and submission: avoid last-minute rejections
• Physical measurement: use a precision ruler to confirm final print is 35 × 45 mm and head size within tolerance
• Compliance review: ensure no shadows, no reflections, neutral background, no headwear (unless for religious reasons)
• Attachment: affix the photo to the school-card application form or digital upload per school guidelines; write child’s name and date of birth on reverse if required

By following these steps exactly, you’ll produce a compliant 35 × 45 mm UK school-card photo that meets GB standards, avoids delays, and keeps your application moving smoothly.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Sizing: ensure the final print is precisely 35×45 mm by using official UK school-card templates or digital cropping tools—this prevents common rejections for oversize or undersize images.
• Head Placement: position your head so the chin-to-crown height is 29–34 mm and eyes sit 20–28 mm from the bottom edge—misaligned heads lead to scan errors, so use onscreen guides or ruler checks to avoid recrops.
• Plain Background: choose a uniform light grey or cream backdrop free of shadows and textures—uneven or busy backgrounds are often flagged, so shoot against a blank wall or backdrop to comply.
• Neutral Expression: keep a straight face with mouth closed and eyes open—smiling or frowning can trigger retakes, so practice a relaxed, natural expression before shooting.
• Premium Print Quality: output at 600 dpi on smooth matte photo paper with true-to-life colour—low resolution, glossy glare, or ink streaks often cause ID scanners to fail, so always test a proof print.

Conclusion

The 35 × 45 mm school-card photo for the UK (GB) must meet precise dimensions, composition and quality standards to be accepted without delay. Ensuring correct size, head positioning, background and technical quality will help schools process IDs smoothly and avoid rejections.

Key Points:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (width × height) with no cropping or enlargement
• Head size: between 29–34 mm from chin to crown to fill the frame appropriately
• Background: plain light cream or pale grey, evenly lit with no shadows or patterns
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and directly facing the camera
• Headwear & accessories: no hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons) and no glasses with tinted or reflective lenses
• Image quality: sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red-eye, printed on high-quality photographic paper at 600 dpi or higher
• Digital files (if applicable): JPEG format, 35 × 45 mm crop, 600–1200 dpi, uncompressed

By following these guidelines—checking each measurement, verifying background and confirming image clarity—you’ll produce a compliant school-card photo that meets UK government and school requirements every time.