A cute reminder of your family or loved ones every time you open a wallet is always a brief moment of joy.
A wallet-sized photo is a traditional gesture of keeping your beloved ones close. But what size should a photo for your wallet be? Is it the same size as a passport photo? Can you print it yourself? And what’s a mini photo?
We had the same questions. Read on to find out all the answers you’ll need to know to fit the perfect pic in your pocket.
Generally speaking, there is no exact size to fit every type of wallet, either in the pocket or your wallet’s display window. Typically, ‘wallet size’ is 2” x 3”, which is just slightly smaller than credit card and passport photo sizes will typically fit some older-style wallets.
So now we’ve got the quick answer in place, let’s dig a little deeper.
A wallet photo overview
Back in the day of the traditional bifold, most wallet brands had a small cut-out section that had a clear window inside the wallet.The cut-out section was usually quite small and somewhere around the size of a passport photo.
As wallets developed, becoming sleeker and with a more minimal carry, some of these mini windows were removed for the sake of minimalistic design,like that ofour Sport Wallet.
That doesn’t seem to have stopped people from carrying around memorable photos of happy times and important people in their lives, according to an article in The Guardian. And we can’t blame them!
What is a wallet-sized photo?
In a nutshell, A wallet photo is a small photograph that is placed behind a plastic window in your wallet, to keep it clean and protected. While there’s no official standard for your favorite pocket sized photos, we find credit card-sized photos are the perfect size for sustainable everyday carry.
The original purpose in today’s newer wallets is generally manufactured for ID documents such as driving licenses, travel ID, etc.
Today’s newer wallets are generally manufactured to house credit cards, ID cards, drivers licenses, and maybe the occasional gift card. Not to mention that if you’re anything like us, you look for a wallet that has designated space for photos, too.
Are ID wallet pockets the same size as a wallet photo?
The usual photo holders in today’s more contemporary wallets are those designed for credit cards and other IDs. Almost all cards that fit into wallets are the same standard size. This means they’re sized for universal ease of use, comfort, and organization.
What is ID-1 category size?
Credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards fall under the ID-1 category from the Electrotechnical Commission or the IEC. This agency sets the standards in everything from children’s toys to the cards we use every day.
ID-1 category states that all cards such as ATM, credit, debit, and ID cards are required to be 3.37 inches or 85.6 millimeters wide and 2.125 inches or 53.98 mm high. So how big are today’s newly designed wallets? You guessed it. They’re designed to snuggly accommodate this size (or if you’re us, sometimes even smaller).
For anyone wondering what size would be a perfect fit for that adorable pocket sized family pic, be sure to choose a photo the same size as your credit card or ID.
Will a photo printed as "wallet size" fit in my wallet?
There can be some confusion around wallet sized photos and, well, ones that aren’t wallet sized.
Generally, "wallet size" refers to a photo industry standard size. The word "wallet" in this case refers to a 2 x 3-inch size and is what most print services like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, or other printing booths might use.
The photo industry’s "wallet size" is slightly smaller than a credit card, meaning it will fit easily into the space in your wallet that’s normally used for ID cards.
Check out or ID Wallet or Hybrid Card Wallet, both of which feature an ID window that can accommodate a "wallet size" photo. Plus, your favorite memories are front-and-center every time you flip open your Allett slim wallet.
Will a wallet photo fit in small coin holders and card wallets?
Either a credit-sized image, or the traditional printed ‘wallet size’ will most likely fit into a card wallet, but in general, they won’t have the transparent covering suitable for clearly viewing photos. They can also have a fabric strip, either leather or nylon, for securing cards in place.
Even the best coin holders are exactly how they are described and usually have a zip for keeping coins safe, but are not usually ideal for showing off your pictures of your family, friends, or dog.
What kind of photos can I keep in my wallet?
As with most things, it’s purely a question of personal taste! We can’t tell you who or what gets to be the first thing you see when you open your wallet but we always love wallet pictures of cute kids, puppies, or your most memorable adventure.
An interesting study undertaken by the University of Hertfordshire in the U.K. discovered that almost 9/10 people would return a lost wallet with a baby picture inside compared to just 1/7 people if there was no photo. Is this proof that not only is your wallet photo a reminder of your loved ones, it can increase your luck and perhaps reduce crime rates? You decide.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started when picking the perfect pic:
- A picture of your family
- Your kids as babies
- Your partner, fiancé, wife, or husband
- A beloved pet
- An image of parents when they were young
- A family celebration
- Your favorite outdoor adventure
- You and your best friend
How do I work out the correct photo for my wallet?
If you want to make sure any photo of your loved one is the exact size to fit in your wallet, the best way to do this is by measuring it. This simple operation and just requires a piece of paper, a pencil, and some scissors.
Now let’s get crafty. First, cut a piece of paper roughly the same size as the place you want the photo to sit in your wallet. We recommend tracing around a credit card so sizing is spot on!
Use those handy scissors to trim the edges to make a perfect wallet sized fit. Make sure it fits well and your photo is centered and easy to view, and voilà!
How do I protect my wallet photo?
This is a question we hear a lot. We know quality is important so here’s what we recommend:
- Make sure your photos are a high quality print and have a protective coating.
- Keep your wallet away from sunlight especially if you leave it open. This will help avoid sun fading.
- Try not to bend your wallet photo.
- Avoid cramming multiple photos into your wallet. They can rub against each other or stick together potentially resulting in damaged photos.
- Keep your photos away from high temperatures & humidity.
It’s also a good idea to keep a digital printout of your wallet photo in case it slips out or, even worse, you forget your wallet somewhere and can’t remember where you had it last.
And to finish on…
Hopefully these suggestions have given you the lowdown on wallet photos, why you should have one, and how to get the perfect size for your wallet.
If you’ve decided that now it’s time to buy a soft Nappa leather, uber-stylish, and super slim wallet to display your favorite family photo in, head over to our store to find the perfect fit. We carry a variety of ultra-slim wallets that are handcrafted in San Diego by the best artisans in the slim wallet business!
