How long does Walgreens Photo take? Want prints today or a photo book in a few days?

This guide gives quick timelines for standard prints, enlargements, photo books, canvases, and passport photos. It also includes a fast answer box so you can get the short version right away.

You’ll learn how same-day pickup works, how online orders are routed, and what commonly causes delays. Plus clear tips to speed up your order and how to check the exact “ready by” time in the app or your order email.

Times usually depend on product type, store vs central lab, and order volume, so always confirm for your order. Updated for 2026 and written in simple steps to help you pick the fastest option.

Fast answer: how long does walgreens photo take? Most standard prints are ready the same day, often in about 1 hour, while specialty and custom items usually take several days.

When is it ready?

Standard prints are often ready the same day, sometimes in about 1 hour, while specialty or custom items typically need several days.

Typical timing looks like this: 4×6 prints are usually done in about an hour or the same day. 5×7 and 8×10 are often same day or by the next day, and larger enlargements or specialty sizes are commonly 1 to 3 business days.

Photo books, cards, and calendars usually take 3 to 7 business days. Canvas and wood panels often run 3 to 10 business days, passport photos are done in-store the same day, and film developing can range from several days to two or more weeks.

Actual speed varies by product, in-store versus central lab, order volume, store hours, and holidays. Check the product page and your order confirmation for the “ready by” time, then watch the app or email updates for the most accurate answer to how long does walgreens photo take for your order.

Same Day Picture Printing & Photo Pickup

Same-day printing works two ways. You can print right now from an in‑store kiosk, or place an online order marked “Same Day Pickup” that your store produces, often within about an hour. Look for same-day pickup next to eligible items and stores.

The steps are simple: pick an eligible product, choose a participating store, select same‑day pickup, and check out. Wait for the text or email saying it is ready before you go.

Printer outages, paper shortages, or peak times can slow things down, and orders placed outside store hours usually start the next business day. Need it faster? Use the Walgreens app, pick a store with a clear one‑hour indicator, upload before rush hours, or call ahead to confirm capacity.

Online Ordering

Web and app orders route either to a store lab for pickup or to a central lab for shipping, and that choice controls speed and cost. Pickup is fastest; shipping adds carrier time and fees you can compare on Walgreens’ fulfillment options page.

For fewer delays, upload JPEG or PNG files in sRGB at roughly 300 DPI, avoid oversized files, and make sure billing details are correct. You’re usually charged at checkout; track progress by email, SMS, and the app’s order history with the “Ready by” timestamp, and grab a quick screenshot of that time for your records.

Prints

For prints, timing mirrors the ranges above. 4×6 is commonly one hour or same day, 5×7 and 8×10 are same day or next day, and bigger enlargements run about 1 to 3 business days, depending on the store and volume. See current options on 4×6 prints.

Finish choices like matte or glossy do not usually add time. Delays come from low‑resolution files, wrong aspect ratios that need cropping, or very large batches, so crop to size, use high‑resolution JPEGs, check orientation, and split giant orders if needed. If you’re still asking how long does walgreens photo take for a big batch, plan for next day and build a small cushion.

Pickup Orders — tracking, pickup windows, cancellations and troubleshooting

Statuses typically move from Processing to Ready for pickup to Picked up, and you will get email or SMS at each step. Stores hold finished orders for a limited time that can vary by location, so confirm the hold window on the site or by calling the store if you need extra days.

You can often cancel or change an order before processing begins, but options are limited once printing starts. If you need a change, ask the store to cancel and reprint or place a fresh order; switching from pickup to delivery mid‑order is not always possible. Common questions include “Has my order gone through?” (look for a confirmation email or app entry), “Can I pick up another day?” (usually yes within the hold window), “How do I get a refund?” (request at the photo counter or through support), and “What if my coupon didn’t work?” (show the code at pickup for an adjustment).

What People Ask Most

Final Thoughts on When is it ready?

If you spot a code like 270 in your order confirmation, it’s just a quick reference to the job — the main takeaway is that standard 4×6 prints are often ready the same day, sometimes in an hour, while specialty items take several days. This guide lays out realistic windows and simple steps to speed things up, so folks who need last‑minute photos, parents, event planners, and casual shooters know what to expect.

Remember, those times are typical — local store workloads, holidays, or machine hiccups can stretch them beyond the ranges we gave. We also showed exactly how to verify a “ready by” time in the app or order confirmation, how same‑day pickup works, and what file prep avoids delays. That answers the opening question “When is it ready?” with specific timelines and the tools to confirm them.

If you’re aiming for urgent prints, use the app, pick a store showing the one‑hour option, and upload early in the day; otherwise, plan a few extra days for books, canvases, and film. You’ve got a clearer map for timing now, so approach your next print project with confidence and a little breathing room.