Can Walgreens Print Matte Photos? Here's What Actually Works in 2025

When you're printing photos for a photo album, you don’t just want any finish-you want the right one. Matte paper doesn’t glare under bright lights, it hides fingerprints, and it gives your memories a soft, professional look. But if you’ve ever stood in front of the Walgreens kiosk wondering, Can Walgreens print matte photos? you’re not alone. The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no, and knowing the details can save you time, money, and a lot of frustrated reprints.

Yes, Walgreens Does Print Matte Photos-But Not Everywhere

Walgreens does offer matte photo prints, but only through their online ordering system, not at most in-store kiosks. If you walk into your local Walgreens and try to print a photo using the touchscreen machine, you’ll likely only see glossy, lustre, and sometimes metallic options. Matte isn’t listed as a default choice on those machines.

But if you go to Walgreens Photo Online (yes, you need to use their website), you can select matte finish as a standard option. The online portal gives you full control over paper type, size, and finish. That’s where the real printing power lies.

How to Order Matte Photos from Walgreens Online

Here’s exactly how to get a matte finish without guessing:

1. Go to walgreens.com/photo and sign in or create an account.
2. Upload your photos from your phone, computer, or cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox).
3. Select the photos you want to print and choose "Prints" from the menu.
4. Under "Paper Finish," scroll down and select "Matte." It’s listed under the standard paper types, not hidden.
5. Choose your size-common options are 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10. Matte is available for all.
6. Add to cart and proceed to checkout.

Once ordered, you can choose free pickup at your local Walgreens in about 1 hour, or have them shipped to your door. Pickup is usually ready within 1 hour if you order before 3 p.m. local time.

What Does Walgreens Matte Paper Look Like?

Walgreens’ matte finish is a smooth, non-reflective surface with a slight texture-similar to fine art paper. It’s not the same as the thick, cotton-based matte paper you’d get from a professional lab, but it’s significantly better than glossy for albums and display prints.

Colors appear more muted than glossy, which is intentional. Highlights don’t blow out, shadows hold detail, and skin tones look natural. That’s why wedding photographers and families who print heirloom albums prefer it. It doesn’t scream "photo print." It feels like a keepsake.

Compared to lustre (which has a subtle sheen), matte is less prone to fingerprints and scratches. That’s a big deal if your album gets passed around at family gatherings.

Matte vs. Glossy vs. Lustre: Which One Should You Pick?

Choosing the right finish matters more than you think. Here’s how they stack up:

If you’re building a photo album to last-something you’ll flip through in 10 years-matte is the safest bet. It won’t fade faster than glossy, and it’s easier to handle without leaving marks.

Price and Quality: Is It Worth It?

As of 2025, Walgreens charges $0.29 per 4x6 matte print when ordered online. That’s the same price as glossy. Lustre is also $0.29. No premium for matte, which makes it a no-brainer.

Quality-wise, Walgreens uses Fujifilm Crystal Archive paper for all their prints, including matte. That’s the same paper used by many professional labs. It’s rated to last over 100 years under normal display conditions. So while it’s not a boutique lab, it’s far from cheap or flimsy.

One caveat: if you’re printing large formats like 11x14 or 16x20, matte is still available online, but you’ll need to select "Premium Matte"-it’s a thicker, heavier stock. That version costs $4.99 for an 8x10 and $12.99 for a 16x20. Worth it if you’re framing it.

What If You Want a Different Matte Finish?

Some people want a true fine-art matte-like Hahnemühle or Canson Rag. Walgreens doesn’t offer those. If you need museum-grade paper with texture, cotton content, or archival certification, you’ll need to go to a specialty lab like Mpix, Bay Photo, or Nations Photo Lab.

But for 95% of families, scrapbookers, and casual photographers, Walgreens’ standard matte is more than enough. It’s durable, affordable, and looks professional without the $5-per-print price tag.

Pro Tip: Test Before You Print 50 Photos

Before you order a full album of 50 matte prints, do this: order one 4x6 test print. Wait for it to arrive or pick it up. Hold it in your hand. Look at it under your living room light. Does it look how you imagined? If yes, go ahead. If not, you’ve saved yourself $15 and a week of disappointment.

Also, make sure your photos are high resolution. Matte paper shows pixelation more than glossy. If your photo is under 1200x1800 pixels, it might look blurry on a 4x6 matte print. Walgreens will warn you if the resolution is too low-but don’t rely on that. Check your files first.

Alternatives If Walgreens Doesn’t Work

If your local Walgreens doesn’t have the matte option online, or you’re tired of waiting for pickup, here are two solid alternatives:

• CVS Photo: Same parent company as Walgreens, same paper quality, same matte option online. Often has coupons for 50% off first prints.
• Shutterfly: Offers matte as a default option. Better customization, but slower shipping and higher prices ($0.39-$0.59 per 4x6).

Neither beats Walgreens for speed and price if you just need reliable, everyday matte prints.

Final Answer: Yes, But Only Online

To answer the original question: Can Walgreens print matte photos? Yes-when you order online. Skip the in-store kiosk. Use the website. Pick matte. Order one test print. Then print your whole album. You’ll get a finish that looks timeless, feels premium, and lasts for decades.

Matte isn’t just a style choice-it’s a practical one. For albums, gifts, and keepsakes, it’s the quiet winner.