Short answer: the props that show up in the best photos are big, bold and quick to grab: giant sunglasses, feather boas, hats, lips on a stick and a few short signs. Ten good props beat a bin of fifty, and nothing should cover a face.
The props that win every time
These come straight from the photos our booths take at real weddings, birthdays and galas.
- Giant sunglasses. The single most-grabbed prop. Oversized, bright frames read well even in a group of eight.
- Heart-shaped glasses. Red, pink or clear. They suit weddings, showers and Valentine's events.
- Feather boas. Instant glamour, and they add colour to a black or white backdrop.
- Hats. A top hat or a bowler turns a straight portrait into a character.
- Lips and moustaches on sticks. Classic for a reason. Hold them beside the face, not over it.
Free printable photo booth props
Want to make your own? Our printable props PDF has 16 signs (Just Married, Team Bride, Here for the Cake, OMG and more) and six classic shapes: a moustache, lips, big glasses, a bow tie, a crown and a heart. It is free: add your email below and the download starts right away.
Print on white cardstock at actual size, cut along the thick outline, and tape a dowel or paper straw to the tab on the back. Six pages, letter size. Leave a couple of blank cards beside them: guests will write their own.
Signs worth printing
Short signs get held up; long ones get put down. Three or four words, big letters, dark on light.
- Weddings: “I Love Her”, “Team Bride”, “Just Married”, “I'm Here for the Cake”, “I'm Next”.
- Any party: “OMG”, “Cheers”, “We Love You”, a speech bubble with a dry-erase marker.
- Birthdays: the age in giant numbers, “Still Got It”, “Officially Old”.
- Office parties: your logo, “Survived 2026”, the team's inside joke.
Prop ideas by event
- Weddings: custom sunglasses with your initials, a sign with your names and date. See wedding photo booths.
- Proms and grad parties: leis, top hats, a “Class of” sign. Keep it school-friendly. See prom photo booths.
- Birthdays: crowns, number balloons, the guest of honour's favourite colour. See birthday photo booths.
- Holiday parties: Santa hats, tinsel boas and the ugly-sweater contest winner front and centre.
Props to skip
- Full masks. They hide the face, and the face is the point.
- Long, wordy signs. Nobody reads them in a strip.
- Flimsy paper props. They bend by 9pm. Card stock on a dowel or foam board lasts the night.
- Anything you would not want in a family photo. Grandma will see the gallery.
Pair the props with a backdrop from the backdrops and templates page, then check your date.
Quick answers
How many props does a photo booth need?
Ten to fifteen for most parties. Enough that a group of six can each grab one, few enough that guests aren’t digging through a bin.
Do you bring props?
Yes. A props kit comes with Snap & Print and Complete. For school events we pack a school-friendly bin.
Should we make custom props?
One or two are worth it: a sign with your names, or sunglasses with your initials. Leave the rest to the props kit.
Are the printable props really free?
Yes. Add your name and email, and we email you the PDF and show the download link right away. Print as many as you like and use them at any party.
Still have a question? See the photo booth FAQ, or browse booths for birthdays, proms and parties.