What Print Format Would You Choose with a Photo Booth Hire?

When hiring a photo booth for an event, one of the most overlooked yet impactful decisions is the print format. Photo booths generally offer two primary print size options: classic photo strips (2×6 inches) and standard postcard-size prints (4×6 inches). While both formats have their charm and advantages, choosing the right one depends on the event type, audience preferences, and the overall guest experience you aim to create. So, which one should you choose?

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each format, followed by a comprehensive analysis of why one might be the better option for your event.

Understanding the Basics

Photo Strips (2×6 inches)

The photo strip is the most iconic photo booth format. Originating from vintage booths at amusement parks and train stations, the strip typically features three to four vertically aligned photos. Its nostalgic design evokes memories of retro fun and carefree spontaneity. Strips are slim, instantly recognisable, and can usually be printed twice—one copy for the guest and another for a guestbook or keepsake.

4×6 Prints (Postcard Size)

The 4×6 photo format is a standard photo print size, more akin to a postcard. This layout usually includes one larger photo or a collage of two to four images. It allows more room for custom graphics, branding, or text, making it a great choice for corporate events, weddings, and marketing campaigns.

Design Versatility and Visual Appeal

Strips

Photo strips have a timeless charm that adds personality to events. They suit vintage themes perfectly and encourage playful posing due to the multiple photo slots. However, because of their narrow size, branding space is limited. Adding logos, messages, or event dates can be tricky without compromising the image space.

4×6 Prints

A 4×6 layout offers significant creative freedom. Designers can include larger photos, multiple images in a collage, or even incorporate a branded footer or custom graphics around the images. This makes the 4×6 format an excellent canvas for corporate branding, wedding monograms, or themed overlays. It’s ideal for events where design and presentation are key.

Verdict: 4×6 wins for visual impact and design flexibility.

Guest Preferences and Keepsake Value

Strips

Strips are often viewed as fun and collectible, making them a novelty that guests enjoy. Many people stick them on fridges, pin them on bulletin boards, or tuck them into books or mirrors. They’re slim enough to fit inside wallets and often printed in duplicate so one can go into a guestbook or scrapbook.

4×6 Prints

Larger prints feel more professional and premium. Guests might be more inclined to frame or display a 4×6 photo at home, particularly if the design is elegant or themed. For weddings or milestone events, this format elevates the memento to something closer to a formal photograph than a novelty.

Verdict: It depends on your goal. For fun, fast-paced events, strips are great. For lasting impact, 4×6 prints tend to be more cherished.

Event Type Considerations

Weddings

Both formats work beautifully, but each lends itself to a different tone. If the wedding has a vintage or rustic theme, strips fit perfectly. They feel playful and casual. On the other hand, 4×6 prints match elegant, formal weddings where couples want guests to walk away with a framed-quality keepsake.

Corporate Events

In business or brand activations, 4×6 photos reign supreme. They provide ample space for logos, hashtags, website URLs, and slogans, making them an ideal format for marketing and promotional purposes.

Parties and Festivals

For birthday parties, school dances, and seasonal fairs, strips are a natural fit. They reinforce the fun, energetic vibe of the event, and people enjoy collecting or swapping them.

Verdict: Tailor the format to the event. 4×6 for professional and premium occasions, strips for casual and energetic ones.

Guestbook Compatibility

Guestbooks are a key part of many events—especially weddings and milestone celebrations.

• Strips are often printed in duplicate, with one copy placed into a guestbook alongside a handwritten message.

• 4×6 prints, while larger, can also be incorporated into guestbooks but may require larger albums or scrapbook pages.

Some photo booths also allow digital guestbooks where prints (of any size) can be scanned and uploaded with digital messages.

Verdict: Strips edge ahead here, due to their natural fit with compact guestbook layouts and traditional two-print systems.

Customisation and Branding

For businesses and weddings alike, branding and personalisation are crucial.

• 4×6 prints shine here. The format allows for full integration of logos, event details, brand colours, and themed overlays.

• Strips can be customised too, but usually only at the top or bottom, and in a smaller font.

If customisation is a top priority—for example, if you want your logo clearly visible or your wedding monogram elegantly displayed—4×6 is the smarter choice.

Social Sharing and Digital Options

Most modern photo booths also offer digital copies. From email and SMS sharing to Instagram-ready formats, both 4×6 and strip layouts can be easily adapted to digital use. That said, the 4×6 format is more “social media-friendly” as it matches standard smartphone camera dimensions, meaning it looks better when shared on platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

Verdict: 4×6 prints are slightly better suited for modern digital sharing.

Cost Considerations

From a technical standpoint:

• Strips tend to be more cost-efficient for photo booth operators. They use less paper and ink and are printed quickly.

• 4×6 prints are larger, so they may cost slightly more per print and take longer to produce. However, the price difference is usually negligible and factored into the booth hire package.

Unless you’re on a very tight budget or have a large-scale event with hundreds of prints, the cost difference shouldn’t be a major deciding factor.

Final Verdict: Which Format Wins?

Ultimately, the best format depends on the type of event and the experience you want to deliver. Here’s a quick summary:

If you’re hosting a wedding with elegant décor, a business event with strong branding goals, or want prints that guests will proudly display at home, go with 4×6. If you’re planning a party, school prom, or vintage-themed event where fun is the priority, strips might be your better bet.

In many cases, modern photo booths allow you to offer both formats, or give guests the choice. But if you have to choose just one, the 4×6 format generally provides more value, versatility, and lasting impact—making it the better all-round option for most organisers.

Would you like this article tailored to a specific business or local audience? I can adapt it for wedding planners, photo booth providers, or Cornwall-based events.