Print a 5×7 photo by cropping the image to a 5:7 ratio, loading 5×7 paper, and selecting that size in the print dialog.
Printing 5×7 photos for a frame or gift comes down to three steps: preparing the image, loading the right paper, and matching the settings in your print dialog. The most common cause of failed prints is a setting mismatch—the dialog left on Letter size, paper facing the wrong way, or an uncropped photo that gets trimmed at the edges. This guide covers exact steps for Windows, HP, and Epson workflows, plus the pixel sizes and settings for a clean result on the first try.
What Resolution and Aspect Ratio Do You Need?
Use 300 PPI as your baseline.
The aspect ratio is where most photos need work. Most phone and camera photos are 2:3, but 5×7 prints are a 5:7 ratio. Since these don’t match, the printer will either crop edges automatically or stretch the image unless you crop it yourself first. You can print in either orientation—portrait (5 wide × 7 tall) or landscape (7 wide × 5 tall)—but the photo must be cropped to match your chosen orientation, or you’ll get trimmed sides or borders.
How to Crop and Print From Windows Photos
Windows Photos has a built-in crop tool with a preset for this size. Open the photo, go to Edit & Create > Edit > Crop and Rotate. Under Aspect Ratio, choose 5 x 7, adjust the frame, then select Save a copy to avoid auto-fit surprises. Alternatively, skip cropping and right-click the photo in File Explorer, choose Print, and set the paper size in the dialog—confirm it’s 5×7 rather than the default Letter, which scales the photo down and leaves white margins.
Loading 5×7 Paper and Matching Printer Settings
Load the paper in the tray before changing settings; the printer won’t pull 5×7 paper from a tray configured for Letter. For HP printers, select the printer in the software or print dialog, open Properties or Preferences, and choose the correct paper type and paper size. If 5×7 isn’t listed, use a custom size and enter 5 x 7 inches. HP notes that after changing the paper size, the correct paper must already be loaded.
The photo tray on HP Envy models works the same way: load 5×7 paper printing-side down, tap the printer icon, choose Print Photos, and set paper size = 5×7, paper type = photo gloss paper, and source = photo tray. The paper type setting matters—glossy and matte stocks take ink differently, and matching the wrong type can dull colors or cause smudging.
Epson’s iPrint app on iPhone follows the same sequence: load glossy paper with the shiny side facing the correct direction, select 5 x 7 in in paper-size settings, choose the photo, confirm settings, then tap Print. Adobe Photoshop users should load 5×7 paper first, then go to File > Print and confirm paper size, paper type, borderless, tray, and quality all match the loaded media.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Most failed 5×7 prints come from one of five errors, each with a straightforward fix:
- Wrong paper size in the dialog. Leaving it on Letter scales the photo and wastes ink. Set it to 5×7 or custom dimensions.
- Paper loaded with the wrong side up. HP and Epson guidance both stress correct tray direction. Glossy paper usually has a shiny side facing the print head.
- Skipping the crop. A 2:3 photo printed at 5×7 gets trimmed or stretched. Crop to 5:7 first.
- Too-low resolution. Use the 300 PPI target.
- Paper type mismatch. Glossy paper set as matte (or vice versa) changes ink behavior and color rendering.
One more caveat: borderless printing depends on the printer model, paper support, and driver settings. If your printer doesn’t support true borderless 5×7, you may get white margins or automatic cropping. Check the spec sheet before selecting borderless; if unsupported, frame the print with its margins rather than fighting settings. For the finished prints, high-quality 5×7 art frames can make the difference between a photo that sits in a drawer and one that anchors a wall. Our tested roundup of 5×7 art prints covers the best options we’ve reviewed this year.
FAQs
What pixel size is best for a 5×7 print?
Smaller files can still print, but details and text may look slightly soft on close inspection.
Why does my 5×7 print have white borders?
White borders appear when the paper size in the dialog doesn’t match the loaded paper, or when the image’s aspect ratio isn’t 5:7. A 2:3 photo printed at 5×7 leaves white bars on the long edges. The printer may also add margins if borderless isn’t supported.
Can I print 5×7 photos on regular Letter paper?
Technically yes, but the photo will be scaled down with large white margins, or you’ll need to cut the paper manually. The better route is loading true 5×7 photo paper so the print fills the stock completely and matches standard frame sizes without trimming.
References & Sources
- Microsoft. “How to Print Photos 5×7.” Outlines Windows Photos crop-and-print workflow and print dialog settings.