Where to Print a First Birthday Board (8×10 Guide)
Print the board as an 8×10 (20×25 cm) — the exact size the 2400×3000 HD export is built for. Where to print same-day in the US, plus how long each spot takes.
The short version: print the board as an 8×10 (20×25 cm) — it’s the standard photo size. In the US, CVS Photo and Walgreens Photo both do 8×10 same-day in-store pickup for a couple of dollars. The HD export is 2400×3000 pixels, which is an exact 8×10 at 300dpi — the file’s already print-ready, you just upload it.
Print the board at 8×10 — here’s why
The board comes out of the maker in a 4:5 shape. That’s the exact ratio of an 8×10, which is why the HD export is 2400×3000: divide it out and you get a true 300 dpi. No cropping, no white bars, no surprises.
8×10 is also the most common frame size on the shelf. You print the file, drop it in a $12 frame, and it’s done — no custom framing, no waiting on a shop.
Going bigger for a party easel? Same file, printed larger. It gets softer up close but reads great from a step back, which is all a party easel ever does.
Where to print it in the US
All of these take a JPG or PNG straight from your phone. Upload the HD export, pick 8×10, done. Prices move around, so treat these as ballpark.
| Where | Size to ask for | How long | Roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVS Photo | 8×10 print | Same-day pickup | ~$4 |
| Walgreens Photo | 8×10 print | Same-day pickup | ~$4 |
| Walmart Photo | 8×10 print | 1-hour to same-day | ~$2–4 |
| Local photo lab | 8×10, or 16×20 for an easel | Same-day, usually | Varies |
| Home printer | 8×10 photo paper | Now | Cost of paper |
For the party easel version, ask the lab for a 16×20 on foam board — same HD file, it just prints at about 150 dpi, which is fine from across the room.
Glossy or matte?
Matte suits the board’s warm, papery look and kills glare under party lights — the safe default for a framed keepsake.
Glossy punches the colors harder but shows fingerprints and reflections. Good if it’s going behind glass anyway.
Questions parents actually ask
What size do I ask for?
An 8×10 (20×25 cm) print. That’s exactly what the HD export is built for. If you want it for a party easel instead of a frame, ask for a 16×20 on foam board — same file.
Does my home printer work?
Yes, if it takes 8×10 (or letter-size) photo paper. Print the HD file at “actual size” or “fit,” not “fill” — fill will crop the edges. On letter paper you’ll get a small white border, which looks deliberate in a frame anyway.
Do I need the HD export to print?
The free PNG is screen resolution — fine on a phone, soft on paper at 8×10. The HD export ($4.99, one-time) is the 2400×3000 file that prints crisp. It’s the print-ready one.
Can the lab just print it, or do I have to edit anything?
Nothing to edit. The file is a finished, laid-out image — the lab treats it like any photo. Upload, choose 8×10, pick it up.
Make it first, then print
Build the board free in the maker — 12 monthly photos and one big portrait, about 5 minutes, no sign-up. Then grab the HD export and take it to any of the spots above.
Still deciding what goes in it? The ideas guide has the layout tricks, and this comparison covers why the built board beats a blank template.