Probably the most common question before booking: how many prints do you actually need? Too few, and the last guests go home empty-handed. Too many, and you pay for paper that stays in the box. The good news: with two or three considerations you can estimate the right amount well.
The rule of thumb: 2–3 prints per guest
As a guideline: allow 2–3 prints per guest – more with children, because they stand in front of the booth for a long time and take lots of photos; with many guests, lots of people take photos one after another, so it adds up quickly. In addition, group photos are printed several times because everyone wants one. We don't recommend a package under 100 prints; 200 or more is the standard.
Depending on the occasion it looks like this:
- Wedding: 300 prints is a good start – especially if you want to fill a guest book (one print to stick in, one to take home).
- Birthday and children's birthday: 200 prints is right.
- Company party: 300 prints is a good figure.
- Christmas party: 200 prints is usually enough.
- Graduation ball or club party: 400 prints are usual here.
Honestly: how much gets printed depends on your guests – too few is more annoying than too many.
Why one size up is often the better choice
The packages are graduated so that you have a buffer. A typical mistake is to calculate exactly for the number of guests. Better: choose one size above your estimate. The difference between two packages is often smaller than you think – and in return no guest is left without a photo. You'll find all packages in the price calculator, where you also see the price per photo.
Digitally you can take as many photos as you like – the package only determines how many of them are printed. Once the package is used up, the printer stops printing – you can carry on taking photos digitally as much as you like. So it's best to plan the package generously.
What else influences the quantity?
- The length of the party. The longer the evening, the more photos. At weddings from the ceremony into the night, a lot more come together than at a two-hour sparkling-wine reception.
- The guest book. If guests stick a photo in, you need one extra copy per person.
- The age structure. Younger guests take photos more often, children most often, older guests more once per group.
- The position of the booth. If it's in the middle of the action, it's used more often than in a side room.
- The speed of the printer. With the high-speed printer (about 10 seconds per photo) more is produced than with the standard printer, where a print takes one and a half to two minutes.
When the digital flat rate is enough
Not every party needs paper. If digital is enough for you – for example at a small gathering or a company event where the pictures are distributed by email later – the digital flat rate is enough. You take unlimited photos, get all pictures as files and only pay the basic package. If you later want to print individual photos after all, you have them printed yourself.
A small worked example
Imagine a wedding with 100 guests that runs all evening, with a guest book. Calculation: 100 guests × 2.5 = 250, plus a buffer for the couple, witnesses and fun photos. That fits the package with 300 prints. If you want to be safe, choose the next size up.
And if the booth runs all evening?
Then the high-speed printer is the best investment – we always recommend it, at the latest from 50 prints. It prints in about 10 seconds, the paper only needs changing once at most, and it prevents queues. With the standard printer a print takes one and a half to two minutes, and paper and ink ribbon need changing often. You'll find everything else about the technology on the photo booth page.
Conclusion
Plan 2–3 prints per guest, choose one size up if in doubt and use the price calculator to compare packages directly. There you can also send your date enquiry straight away, no obligation.