Printing Your Actor Headshots

A Guide from Jeremy Rill Photography

Congratulations on your new headshots!

Whether you’re just beginning your acting career or have been working professionally for years, your headshot is one of the most important marketing tools you’ll own. It is often your first audition before you ever walk into the room.

A professionally printed headshot communicates that you take your career seriously. Casting directors, agents, managers, and directors notice quality, and while a great print won’t get you cast, a poor one can leave the wrong impression.

Your images have been professionally photographed, retouched, and color corrected. To preserve that quality, I strongly recommend using a professional lab that specializes in actor headshots rather than a discount photo printer or office supply store.

Do actors still need printed headshots?

Although many submissions today happen digitally, printed headshots remain valuable in many situations.

You may need printed headshots for:

• Auditions that request physical headshots

• Open calls

• Workshops and intensives

• Meetings with agents or managers

• Casting director workshops

• Networking events

• Film festivals

• Theater conferences

• Personal promotional packets

Having a stack of professional headshots ready means you’re never scrambling before an opportunity.

The industry standard

The standard actor headshot remains an 8×10 print.

Nearly every professional actor in the United States still keeps a supply of 8×10 headshots available. This size works with résumé trimming, portfolio books, and casting office filing systems.

If you’re printing for auditions, order 8×10 prints.

Paper recommendations

My recommendation is simple:

Choose Luster paper.

Luster has become the preferred finish for professional actor headshots because it offers:

• Beautiful skin tones

• Rich color

• Excellent sharpness

• Minimal glare

• Resistance to fingerprints

• A premium professional feel

Matte paper is also a good choice if you prefer a softer appearance.

I generally do not recommend Glossy paper for actor headshots because reflections can make the image difficult to view under audition room lighting.

Color or black and white?

For almost every actor today, choose color.

Modern casting offices expect color headshots. Color provides more information about your appearance and better represents how you’ll look in the audition room.

Black-and-white headshots were once the industry standard but are now primarily an artistic choice rather than a professional necessity.

Printing your résumé

Many actors still staple or trim their résumé to the back of the headshot.

If you’re doing this:

Print your résumé on standard white résumé paper using a high-quality laser printer.

Trim the paper flush with the edges of the 8×10.

Staple once in each corner with the staple points facing outward on the front of the headshot. This is the long-standing professional convention because it protects the casting director’s hands when flipping through stacks of submissions.

If your résumé changes frequently, many actors simply bring separate copies to auditions or attach them shortly before each appointment.

Preparing your files

Always print from the original full-resolution image I delivered.

Please avoid printing:

• Screenshots

• Images downloaded from social media

• Text message attachments

• Images copied from your online casting profile

Those versions have been compressed and will not produce professional quality prints.

Never let a printing service automatically crop your image unless you have carefully reviewed the preview first.

My favorite online actor headshot printers

Headshots2Go

If I could recommend only one company for traditional actor headshots, this would be it.

Headshots2Go has been one of the industry’s most trusted labs for decades. They understand actor headshots, know proper cropping, offer excellent color correction, and produce consistently outstanding prints.

Best for:

• Film actors

• Television actors

• Musical theatre performers

• Commercial actors

• Agency submissions

The Actor’s Photo Lab

Another outstanding choice with an excellent reputation throughout the entertainment industry.

Their customer service is exceptional, turnaround times are fast, and they understand exactly how actor headshots should look.

Best for:

• Working actors

• Rush orders

• Premium print quality

PrintHeadshots.com

An excellent option offering competitive pricing, quality prints, and quick turnaround.

A strong choice for actors who regularly order headshots.

BWAY Headshots

Especially popular among New York theatre performers.

Excellent quality and very familiar with expectations in Broadway and regional theatre.

Local Denver printing options

Denver Digital Imaging Center

One of Denver’s finest professional print labs.

While they are not specifically an actor headshot company, their photographic quality is exceptional.

Ideal for:

• High quality enlargements

• Portfolio prints

• Framed portraits

Mike’s Camera

A dependable local option with convenient locations and solid print quality.

Best for:

• Quick turnaround

• Last-minute prints

• Local pickup

Not Another Film Lab

A boutique lab known for beautiful photographic printing and excellent craftsmanship.

A wonderful option if you appreciate artisan quality printing.

How many should I order?

For most actors, I recommend keeping 25-50 printed headshots on hand.

If you’re actively auditioning for regional theatre, film, or commercial work, ordering 100 at a time often lowers the cost per print and ensures you’re prepared for busy audition seasons.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid these common printing mistakes:

• Printing at a grocery store or pharmacy

• Using office copy paper

• Printing from Facebook or Instagram

• Choosing glossy paper

• Allowing automatic color correction

• Printing from low-resolution files

• Cropping too tightly

Your headshot has already been professionally edited and color balanced. Additional automatic corrections often make it look worse rather than better.

Final thoughts

Your headshot is an investment in your acting career. It represents you long before you step into the audition room.

Choosing a professional printer ensures that casting directors see your work exactly as it was intended.

If you’re ever unsure about sizing, cropping, paper choice, or where to print, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to help you make the best decision before placing an order.

Break a leg!
Jeremy Rill Photography