FedEx · UPS · Staples · Public Library · From Your Phone · Price Comparison
Whether your home printer died, you’re away from home, or you just need one document printed without the hassle, this guide covers every walk-in printing location near you, what each one costs per page, and the fastest way to get a document from your phone or computer into your hands.
📍 Find a Printing Location Near You
Tap any button below to update the map for the specific type of printing location nearest your address. Each search is tuned for a different option — whether you need a quick black-and-white page or professional full-color printing with binding.
🖨️ Your Fastest Three Options — No Confusion
Need it printed in the next hour: Drive to FedEx Office, UPS Store, or Staples. Walk up to the self-service machine, plug in a USB drive or email your file to the kiosk, pay by card, and you’re done in under 10 minutes. No account needed. Need it free or nearly free: Your local public library is almost certainly the cheapest option and may be free with a library card — most now let you print remotely from your phone or email before you even arrive. Need to print from your phone without any setup: Email your file to [email protected] and you’ll receive a retrieval code to enter at any FedEx Office self-service machine. You don’t need an account, a USB drive, or any setup.
📋 Key Takeaways — Every Important Answer Up Front
The questions people ask most about printing near them — answered plainly before you need to read further.
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What is the cheapest place to print near me? Public library: often free with a library card · Office Depot: $0.07–$0.14/page B&W · FedEx Office: $0.12–$0.15/page B&W · Staples full-service: from $0.32/page B&W · UPS Store: similar to FedEx · Walgreens: $0.28+/page (avoid for documents)Your local public library is almost always the cheapest option for routine documents — many provide free pages per week with a library card and charge nominal rates (typically 10–15 cents for black-and-white) after the free allowance. Cincinnati’s public library, for example, offers up to 33 free black-and-white pages daily. King County Library System in Washington provides a $5 weekly allowance per card. Among retail options, Office Depot and OfficeMax typically charge the least at $0.07–$0.14 per black-and-white page. FedEx Office runs $0.12–$0.15 per page for black-and-white at self-service machines. Staples lists its full-service price from $0.32 per page. Walgreens and CVS charge significantly more ($0.28+/page) because they’re primarily photo centers — go there for photos, not documents.
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How do I print from my phone without a printer? FedEx Print & Go: email your file to [email protected] · receive a retrieval code · enter it at any FedEx Office self-service machine · no account needed · UPS Store: use their app or email to store before arriving · Library: upload through the Princh app or email to the library’s print systemFedEx Office has the simplest phone-to-printer system: email your document (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and more) to [email protected] from any email address, and within a few minutes you’ll receive a retrieval code back. Walk to any FedEx Office, find the self-service copier, select “Print from Retrieval Code,” enter the number, and your file appears. Pay by credit or debit card right on the machine. No account, no app, no USB drive. Retrieval codes are valid for 10 days. For libraries, many now use the free Princh app — download it, open your document, choose “Print with Princh,” enter the library’s printer ID or scan the QR code posted by the printer, and your job is queued for pickup when you arrive.
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Does the post office (USPS) print documents? No — USPS does not offer public document printing · The only printing USPS does is shipping labels from the Label Broker system (scan a QR code for a prepaid label) · For documents, go to FedEx Office, UPS Store, Staples, or your libraryThis is one of the most common misconceptions about printing options. The post office handles mail and packages — period. The one exception is the USPS Label Broker service, where you scan a QR code from your phone at a USPS kiosk to print a prepaid shipping label you’ve already purchased online. That’s a shipping tool, not a document printing service. If you need to print something and then mail it, print first at FedEx, UPS, Staples, or a library — then take the finished document to the post office to mail it. The combination works perfectly and is often faster than alternatives.
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Can I print at FedEx or UPS without bringing a USB drive? Yes — FedEx Print & Go accepts email ([email protected]), cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box) directly from the self-service machine, or a USB drive · UPS Store accepts email or USB · No USB drive required at either locationUSB drives are becoming optional at most printing locations. FedEx Office self-service machines let you sign in to your cloud storage account — Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box — directly on the machine’s touchscreen and print without bringing any physical media. The email-to-print option ([email protected]) is the most foolproof method for anyone who doesn’t want to manage files in advance. Just email the document from your phone or computer and enter the retrieval code at the machine. UPS Store locations also accept file submissions by email before you arrive — call your nearest location to get their specific email address, as it varies by store. Staples self-service kiosks accept USB drives and can also print directly from email in many locations.
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Does Walmart or Walgreens print documents? Walgreens: yes, basic document printing at around $0.28+/page — but they’re primarily a photo center, not ideal for documents · Walmart: most Walmart stores do NOT offer general document printing (their photo centers are for photos only) · Better options: FedEx, Staples, or a libraryWalgreens has in-store photo printers that can handle basic document printing in a pinch, but at $0.28 or more per black-and-white page, they’re not cost-effective for anyone printing more than a few pages. They’re convenient if you’re already there and only need one or two pages. Walmart’s in-store photo centers are for photo prints, not document pages — don’t count on walking into Walmart for a document printout. For reliable document printing at reasonable prices, stick to FedEx Office, Staples, Office Depot, the UPS Store, or your public library. CVS is similar to Walgreens — useful for photos, overpriced for documents.
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How much does it cost to print a 200-page document near me? At $0.12/page (FedEx self-service B&W): ~$24 · At $0.07/page (Office Depot B&W): ~$14 · At $0.32/page (Staples full-service B&W): ~$64 · At a public library (after free allowance at ~$0.10/page): ~$20 · Double-sided printing cuts cost nearly in halfThe difference between self-service and full-service printing is dramatic for large jobs. At Staples, using their full-service option at $0.32/page for 200 pages costs $64 — versus $24 at a FedEx Office self-service machine at $0.12/page. Office Depot’s self-service options at $0.07–$0.14/page make them competitive for large volumes. Always choose double-sided (duplex) printing for large jobs — it cuts your page count nearly in half and your costs along with it. For a 200-page document double-sided at FedEx Office self-service, you’d use 100 physical sheets instead of 200. Binding (comb binding, spiral binding, or three-hole punch) typically adds $1–$5 depending on the volume and the service location.
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Does my public library offer free printing, and how does it work? Most public libraries in the U.S. offer printing — many provide free pages daily or weekly with a library card · Black-and-white: often 10–15 cents/page after the free allowance · Color: typically $0.50–$1.00/page · You can often print remotely by email or app before arrivingPublic libraries are dramatically underused as printing resources. Most branches in the United States have public printers accessible to anyone with a library card, and many now offer free printing allowances — Cincinnati’s public library gives 33 free black-and-white pages daily, while King County Library (Washington) provides $5/week in printing credit per card. Many libraries have adopted the Princh system, which lets you upload your document from a phone, laptop, or tablet remotely, then release the print job from the machine when you arrive — no USB, no fuss. You don’t need a library card at many locations to use the printer (you just pay per page without a free allowance). Search “[your city] public library printing” to find your local system’s specific rates and remote upload instructions.
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What file formats work at printing stores, and do I need a PDF? PDF is universally recommended and almost universally accepted · Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), Excel (.xlsx), JPG, and PNG also accepted at most locations · PDF ensures your formatting won’t shift or rearrange on a different computer · Convert to PDF on your phone before goingPDF is the gold standard for a reason — it freezes your document exactly as it appears on your screen, regardless of what fonts or software the printing machine uses. A Word document formatted on your computer can shift, reflow, or lose formatting when opened on a different version of Word at a print kiosk. FedEx Office, UPS Store, and Staples all accept PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and common image formats — but specifically recommend PDF for best results, especially for anything with precise formatting like a resume, legal document, or form. Converting to PDF on an iPhone: tap Share → Print → tap the preview → share the resulting PDF. On Android: tap Share → Print → select Save as PDF. It takes under 30 seconds and eliminates formatting surprises at the machine.
💰 Printing Prices — Every Major Location at a Glance
Self-service machines at retail stores are almost always cheaper than asking staff to print for you. The difference can be 2–3x the price per page for the same job.
| Location | B&W Per Page | Color Per Page | Hours | Print from Phone? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Library Often Free | Often free then ~$0.10–$0.15 | $0.50–$1.00 | Library hours · closed Sundays at many | ✅ Yes — Princh app or email |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | $0.07–$0.14 | $0.20–$0.49 | 8 a.m.–8 p.m. weekdays · shorter weekends | ✅ Yes — USB or online upload |
| FedEx Office | $0.12–$0.15 (self-service) | $0.49–$0.71 | Often 7 a.m.–10 p.m. · some 24 hours | ✅ Yes — Print & Go email system |
| The UPS Store | ~$0.12–$0.18 | $0.49–$0.79 | 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. weekdays · shorter Sat | ✅ Yes — email or USB |
| Staples (self-service) | ~$0.10–$0.15 | ~$0.24–$0.49 | 8 a.m.–9 p.m. most days | ✅ Yes — USB or email at most stores |
| Staples (full-service staff) | $0.32+ | $0.80+ | Same as store hours | ✅ Upload file online, pick up in store |
| Walgreens | $0.28+ | Varies · photo-focused | Extended hours · some 24 hours | ✅ Yes — but limited document support |
| USPS Post Office | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available | — | ❌ No (labels only) |
| Walmart | ❌ Not available | Photos only | — | ❌ No (photos only) |
🏪 Every Printing Option — What Each One Is Actually Like
FedEx Office (formerly Kinko’s)
BEST HOURS · EASIEST PHONE PRINTING
FedEx Office is the most consistent nationwide option for quick, any-time document printing — many locations open as early as 7 a.m. and some run 24 hours. Their Print & Go system is genuinely the easiest way to print from a phone without any setup: email the file to [email protected] from any email address, receive a retrieval code within minutes, and enter it at the self-service machine. The machine accepts credit and debit cards directly — no account, no registration, no staff interaction required. Self-service black-and-white printing runs $0.12–$0.15 per page. Color costs more ($0.49–$0.71/page). For large jobs or complex projects with binding, spiral covers, or lamination, their full-service staff counter is available — more expensive but faster for jobs that need professional finishing. Over 2,200 locations nationwide with consistent service across all of them.
📧 Print from phone: email [email protected]
☁️ Cloud accounts: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box
🕐 Hours: many open 7 a.m.–10 p.m. · some 24 hours
🌐 Find locations: local.fedex.com
Public Library — Your Town’s Most Underused Printing Option
OFTEN FREE · AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE
If you have a library card and need to print a few pages, your public library may be the most practical free option you’ve never thought to use. Most U.S. public libraries now offer public printing terminals accessible to anyone with a library card, and many provide a free weekly or daily page allowance before charging nominal per-page rates. Many have adopted the Princh system or similar platforms that let you submit a print job remotely from your phone, laptop, or tablet — then simply walk in and release the job from the printer’s touch screen. No waiting, no setup, no USB drive needed. After your free allowance, typical rates are $0.10–$0.15 per black-and-white page and $0.50–$1.00 per color page. Find your local library’s printing instructions by searching “[your city] public library printing” — each system has slightly different instructions.
📱 Remote printing: Princh app (iOS and Android) or email to printer
💳 Free allowance with library card at most locations
🌐 Find your library: loc.gov/libraries or search your city
💰 B&W after free pages: typically $0.10–$0.15 per page
Staples
BEST WALK-IN EXPERIENCE · LONGEST HOURS
Staples is the most full-service walk-in printing experience available nationally — self-service machines, a staffed print counter, scanning, faxing, and binding all under one roof. Their self-service Copy & Print stations let you print from a USB drive, email a file, or use their in-store computers. Self-service rates start around $0.10–$0.15 per page for black-and-white; full-service staff-assisted printing starts at $0.32/page. The full-service option includes consultation on paper weight, binding type, and finishing options — worth paying for if you’re printing something that needs to look polished (a presentation, a resume, a legal document). Staples also offers a same-day pickup option: upload your file online at staples.com and pick up the finished product that day. Their “Print Perfect Guarantee” means if the output doesn’t look right, they reprint it. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days.
🖨️ Self-service: ~$0.10–$0.15/page B&W · USB or email
📋 Full-service: from $0.32/page · staff helps with binding
💻 Order online: staples.com → same-day pickup
✅ Print Perfect Guarantee: reprints if quality isn’t right
The UPS Store
FULL-SERVICE · ALSO SHIPS SAME DAY
The UPS Store is your best option when you need to print something and ship it in the same visit. They offer document printing, copies, binding, lamination, and faxing alongside full shipping services — which makes them uniquely convenient for situations like printing a return shipping label, printing and mailing a form, or printing a document to enclose in a package. Most UPS Stores are franchises with slight variation in services and pricing, but black-and-white printing runs $0.12–$0.18 per page at most locations. You can email your file to the store before you arrive — call your specific location to get their direct email address. UPS Store hours are typically 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays with reduced Saturday hours — they’re less useful for evening or Sunday needs than FedEx Office.
📧 Send file before: call store for their email address
📦 Print and ship in one visit
🌐 Find stores: theupsstore.com/tools/find-a-store
⏰ Typical hours: 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. weekdays
Office Depot & OfficeMax
CHEAPEST PER PAGE AT RETAIL · SELF-SERVICE
Office Depot and OfficeMax (now merged under the same parent company) typically have the lowest per-page prices among national retail chains for black-and-white documents. Their self-service print stations charge $0.07–$0.14 per black-and-white page — meaningfully cheaper than FedEx Office or Staples for high-volume jobs. Color starts around $0.20–$0.49 per page. Their in-store print stations accept USB drives and file uploads. For complex large jobs with binding or special paper, the full-service counter is available. Hours run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays at most locations with shorter weekend hours. Office Depot also offers online ordering with in-store pickup — upload your file at officedepot.com and collect it later. If price per page matters most and you’re printing many pages, Office Depot is worth checking before defaulting to a more expensive option.
💰 Lowest retail price: $0.07–$0.14/page B&W
💻 Order online: officedepot.com → same-day pickup
⏰ Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. weekdays
🌐 Find stores: officedepot.com/storelocator
🔍 Your Specific Situation — Which Option to Use
🏃 I need to print one or two pages right now — urgently
If it’s daytime: any nearby Staples, Office Depot, FedEx Office, or UPS Store. Walk up to the self-service machine. Bring the file on a USB drive — or email it to [email protected] before you leave the house and use the retrieval code when you arrive. If it’s evening or late night: FedEx Office is your best bet since many locations stay open until 10 p.m. and some run 24 hours. The FedEx Print & Go email system works at any hour. Have the file ready to email on your phone before you leave.
📚 I need to print regularly but don’t have a home printer
Get a library card at your nearest public library — it takes 5 minutes in person and may be available to apply for online at your library system’s website. Then learn their remote printing system (Princh app at most modern libraries, or an email-based system). This gives you free or near-free printing on demand within library hours. For same-day needs outside library hours, FedEx Office and Staples offer consistent walk-in service. If you’re printing more than 50–100 pages per month, running the math on an inexpensive laser printer (Brother laser printers often available for $80–$110) may make sense — laser toner costs a fraction of inkjet cartridges and doesn’t dry out between uses.
📑 I need to print, bind, and present something professional
Staples full-service printing is the most consistent national option for polished bound documents. Upload your file at staples.com, select binding type (comb binding, coil binding, or 3-ring binder prep), cover pages, and paper weight — then pick up in store the same day in most cases. FedEx Office also offers full-service binding and finishing with staff assistance. For truly high-volume professional work (hundreds of copies, large-format prints, branded materials), a local independent print shop will typically deliver better quality and price than any national chain — search “[your city] print shop” and call two or three for quotes.
📱 I want to print from my phone and have never done it before
Here’s the simplest path with no setup required: Find the document on your phone and convert it to PDF (tap Share → Print → tap the document preview to see a full PDF → Share that PDF). Open the email app on your phone and send the PDF to [email protected]. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email back with a 4–8 digit retrieval code. Drive to any FedEx Office. At the self-service machine, tap “Print from Retrieval Code,” enter your code, choose color or black-and-white, select the number of copies, and tap print. Insert your credit or debit card when prompted. That’s it. The code is valid for 10 days if you’re not going immediately.
🔑 Quick Reference — Key Contacts & Links
📧 FedEx Print & Go: [email protected]
📍 Find FedEx Office: local.fedex.com
📍 Find UPS Store: theupsstore.com/tools/find-a-store
📍 Find Staples: staples.com/stores
📍 Find Office Depot: officedepot.com/storelocator
📚 Find your library: loc.gov/libraries
📱 Library mobile printing: Princh app (iOS and Android)
🖨️ Staples online upload: staples.com/services/printing
🖨️ Office Depot online: officedepot.com/print
💻 FedEx online printing: office.fedex.com
✅ 5-Step Checklist — Before You Leave the House to Print
- Step 1: Convert your document to PDF before you go. This takes 30 seconds on any phone and prevents formatting surprises at the printing machine. Share → Print → tap the preview → share the resulting PDF file.
- Step 2: Decide your delivery method: USB drive, FedEx email code, cloud storage sign-in, or library Princh app. Have the file ready to go before you arrive — don’t troubleshoot the transfer at the machine with a queue behind you.
- Step 3: Know what you need: black-and-white or color, single-sided or double-sided, standard 8.5″×11″ or a different size. Double-sided printing saves money on large jobs. Knowing this before you sit down at the machine makes the whole process faster.
- Step 4: Bring a credit or debit card. Most self-service printing machines do not accept cash — they take card payment directly. A few libraries still use cash or coin, so check ahead if that’s your plan.
- Step 5: Check the hours before driving. FedEx Office has the most extended hours (many open until 10 p.m., some 24 hours). Staples and Office Depot typically close by 8–9 p.m. Libraries and UPS Stores close earlier. A 30-second Google search for the specific location saves a wasted trip.
Printing prices, hours, and services vary by location and change without notice. Prices shown reflect commonly reported current rates and may differ at your specific store. Always confirm current pricing with the location before your visit. This page has no affiliation with FedEx, UPS, Staples, Office Depot, or any printing service. General informational content only.