Ever been in a pinch where you urgently needed hard copies and wondered about the costs? I've been there too, and let me tell you, finding budget-friendly places to make copies is a game-changer. Let's dive into my personal guide on my fave places to make copies for cheap (or free!).
How Much Does it Cost to Make Copies Near Me? [2024 Guide]
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to know the factors that affect the cost of making copies. Prices can be all over the place, so keep your eyes peeled for the most wallet-friendly solutions.
In average making copies can cost between;
- 3¢ to 29¢ for single-sided black and white copies.
- 9¢ to 61¢ (or more) for single-sided color copies.
Places to Make Copies for Free
1. Ask Friends, Family or Your Neighbor
I've saved a ton by simply asking friends or family, and even my neighbor if I could use their printers. It's either free or comes at a minimal cost (like a chore or trading for driving them to the mountains when I had stacks of documents to print for school). It’s a win-win!
It’s also a good reminder to stay friendly with your neighbor as you never know when you’ll need help! And vice-versa.
2. At Work (check with your boss!)
Don't forget to check if your workplace offers printing services. It could be a lifesaver, and your boss might be cool with it.
3. Your Apartment Complex
Some apartment complexes have communal printing services. Just check with your management for availability and any potential costs.
4. At a Hotel
Hotel business centers often have copiers for guests. Double-check if there are any associated fees, though. You can always pretend to be at that convention today at the hotel.
5. University and College Campuses
If you're close to a school, campus libraries usually have copying services, sometimes at discounted rates for students. What a great time to be a student!
My University offers students single-sided black and white copies for 7¢ per page - not bad of a deal!
Places to Make Cheap Copies Near You
6. FedEx
FedEx provides copying services, and prices can vary. Their copying service is called FedEx Office and they have more than 2,200 locations in the United States!
I always check with my local branch for the specific costs, but you can find copy and print services prices on the FedEx Office website.
Here’s how much it costs to make copies at FedEx:
- Single-sided black and white copies: 21¢ per page.
- double-sided black and white copies: 42¢ per page.
- Single-sided color copies: 0.61¢ per page.
- Double-sided color copies: $1.21 per page.
Find your local FedEx here.
7. The UPS Store
Similar to FedEx, The UPS Store offers copying services. Prices also depend on the location and are not available online (the last time I checked!), so it's good to know before you go.
There are more than 5,000 UPS stores across the United States and Canada.
Find your local UPS Store here.
8. Staples
Staples is my go-to for office supplies (especially in the back to school rush!), and they have self-service copy machines. Prices may vary, so it's worth checking with your local store.
Single-sided black and white copies at Staples used to cost cheaply between 5¢ to 10¢, but now start at 20¢ per page.
Find your local Staples Printing Services here.
9. Costco
Believe it or not, some Costco locations, including Costco Wholesale and Costco Business Center have printing services. It's worth investigating the prices and available options.
10. Your Local Library
Public libraries often offer cost-effective copy services. Some may even provide a limited number of free copies. Yay to free copies!
11. Post Office
Many post offices have self-service copy machines. Confirm the prices at your nearest branch before making any commitments.
12. Community Centers
Local community centers might provide affordable copying services. Definitely inquire about their rates.
13. Office Depot/Office Max
These office supply stores offer copying services, but prices can vary. Best to check with your local store; but in general they offer single-sided black and white copies for 14¢ per page.
Find your local Office Depot/Office Max document printing services here.
14. Sam’s Club
Some Sam’s Club locations have copy centers, under the name Sam’s Club Business Printing, where you can print a large range of items and options.
Explore their prices for budget-friendly options here.
15. CVS Pharmacy
CVS often has self-service copy machines. Their printing service is named Business Printing and offers a wide range of options, such as printing digital files at KODAK Picture Kiosks. Business Printing is available in more than 4,700 CVS Pharmacy locations!
Check out the costs at your nearest location, but printing generally goes for the following price: Single-sided black and white copies: 29¢ per page.
Find the closest CVS pharmacy near you here.
16. Sir Speedy
Local print shops like Sir Speedy may offer competitive prices. I always ask about their copying services. They offer a wide range of options from digital printing, promotional, and to book printing.
Find the closest Sir Speedy near you here.
17. Coborn’s
Some supermarket chains, like Coborn’s, provide copy services. They are located mainly in Minnesota and South Dakota. Check their prices for affordability.
Find the closest Coborn’s near you here.
18. H-E-B
H-E-B grocery stores may offer in-store copy services in some of their Business Centers. Definitely investigate!
Find the closest H-E-B grocery stores near you here.
19. Hy-Vee
Check if your local Hy-Vee provides copy services as some stores have a copying machine.
Find the closest Hy-Vee store near you here.
20. Fiesta Mart
Some Fiesta Mart locations offer copy services. They are a grocery store located throughout Texas, and you can easily confirm if they have a copy service by calling your local store.
Find the closest Fiesta Mark here.
21. Walgreens
Walgreens often has self-service copy machines. Research the costs at your nearest store.
22. Google “Cheap Copies Near Me”
Use online resources to find local printing services with affordable rates. A simple Google search: “Cheap Copies Near Me” should return great results. Plus, supporting your local printing businesses is always good!
23. Buy a Cheap or Used Copier
If you find yourself needing copies regularly, consider purchasing a low-cost or used copier. Searching on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or eBay is always a good starting point.
Order Copies Online
If you're not in a rush for copies, a simpler (and sometimes much more budget-friendly) route is to go ahead and order them online.
Luckily, there are some fantastic websites out there that offer online printing services.
Here are a few of my favorite places to get copies online:
24. Vistaprint
Vistaprint is more than just printing business cards! I’ve used them many times in the past and indeed, Vistaprint offers online printing services. Explore their website for pricing details.
25. FedEx Print Online
FedEx provides online printing services. Check their website for pricing options.
26. Best Value Copy
This online service specializes in one of the most cost-effective copies. Review their website for pricing information. But I’ll do it for you! :
Here’s how much it costs to make copies at Best Value Copy:
- Single-sided black and white copies: 3.2¢ per page.
- Single-sided color copies: 9.9¢ per page.
27. Color Copies Today
If you're after loads of copies, Color Copies Today might be your go-to.
This site lets you order both black and white or color copies, but there's a catch—you'll need to meet a minimum order requirement. For black and white, it's 500 copies, and for color, it's 150.
Here's the cost breakdown:
- 500 single-sided black and white copies (60 lb. paper): $20
- 150 single-sided color copies (60 lb. paper): $15
That's roughly $0.04 per page for black and white and $0.10 per page for color copies.
Visit the Color Copies Today website here. Select your options on the left sidebar.
How to Make Copies without a Copier
Alright, let's say you need copies of an important document, but you're not near any of those places with copy machines.
What if you don't have a printer? Don't worry, there's an app for that!
Actually, there are a couple of apps that allow you to easily make copies of documents by scanning them with your phone. You can send these scanned versions to others or keep them saved for future printing.
28. CamScanner
I've used mobile apps like CamScanner for scanning and converting images into PDFs. The app is usually free, making it a cost-effective option.
29. Genius Scan – PDF Scanner
Another mobile app option, Genius Scan, turns your smartphone into a portable scanner. Check the app store for potential in-app purchases or premium features.
30. Google Drive
Google Drive allows you to upload documents and print them at local printing services. While the service itself is free, keep in mind that local printing costs may apply.
Final Thoughts
From borrowing the family printer to finding affordable local services and exploring online solutions, making copies doesn't have to break the bank. Consider these options, and always scout for the best prices to fit your budget. Your cost-effective copying solution is just around the corner!
