Finding a place to make photocopies might seem like a simple task, but in today’s digital age, it’s not always as obvious as it once was. Whether you need to copy important documents, print out travel itineraries, or duplicate handouts, knowing where to go for reliable and affordable photocopy services is essential. This guide will walk you through a variety of options, from free possibilities to budget-friendly and convenient locations near you.
Before we dive into the list of places, let’s address a common question: How much does it actually cost to make photocopies?
The price of photocopying can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Black and White vs. Color: Black and white copies are significantly cheaper than color copies.
- Single-Sided vs. Double-Sided: Double-sided copies, while saving paper, might have different pricing structures.
- Quantity: Often, the more copies you make, the lower the per-page cost becomes.
- Location: Prices can differ between different stores and service types.
As a general guideline, you can expect to pay:
- Black and white copies: From as low as 2 cents to 25 cents per page.
- Color copies: From 30 cents to 75 cents or more per page.
These are just estimated ranges. For precise pricing, it’s always best to check directly with the location you plan to use. Some businesses may also offer additional services like lamination, folding, or binding, which will add to the overall cost.
Let’s explore your options, starting with places where you might be able to make copies for free.
Free Photocopy Options
While not always guaranteed or convenient for large jobs, these free options can be lifesavers when you just need a few quick copies.
1. Friends and Family
This is often the easiest and most overlooked option. If you know someone who owns a copier or a multifunction printer, simply ask if you can use it. Offering to bring your own paper is a polite gesture, especially if you need to make a substantial number of copies.
2. Workplace (With Permission)
Many workplaces have office printers and copiers readily available. If you need to make a few copies for personal use, it’s always worth asking your supervisor for permission. For small, occasional needs, it’s often not a problem. However, always respect workplace policies and ask first.
3. Apartment Complex Business Centers
If you live in an apartment complex, check if they have a business center or communal area. These often include basic office equipment like computers and sometimes a copier for residents to use. Usage might be free or included in your amenities.
4. Hotel Business Centers
Traveling and need to make copies? Many hotels, particularly those catering to business travelers, offer business centers. These centers often have computers, printers, and copiers available for guest use. Inquire at the front desk about the availability and any potential fees associated with using the copier. Some hotels offer this service for free to guests.
5. University and College Campuses
If you are a student, take advantage of campus resources! Most universities and colleges provide printing and copying facilities for students. These are often located in libraries or student centers. Access might be free up to a certain quota or available at a very low cost per page. You will typically need your student ID to access these services.
Alt text: A college student efficiently uses a library computer and printer to print out study materials, highlighting the convenience of campus printing services.
Affordable Photocopy Locations Near You
If free options aren’t feasible, numerous businesses offer photocopy services at reasonable prices. Here’s a comprehensive list of places to consider:
6. FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinko’s)
FedEx Office is a well-known provider of printing and copying services. They offer both black and white and color copies, as well as a range of paper sizes and finishing options. You can bring in your documents to copy in-store, or upload digital files online for printing and either pick them up or have them shipped to you. FedEx Office is a convenient option, especially if you also need shipping or other business services.
7. The UPS Store
Similar to FedEx Office, The UPS Store provides a wide array of business services, including photocopying. With thousands of locations across the US, finding a UPS Store near you is usually easy. They offer self-service black and white copying in-store. For color copies and larger jobs, they offer full-service options. You can also upload documents online for printing and choose in-store pickup or delivery.
8. Staples
Staples is a popular office supply store that also offers comprehensive copy and print services. They are known for competitive pricing, especially on bulk orders. Staples offers both self-service and full-service copying for black and white and color documents. You can often find online coupons and deals to further reduce the cost. Their website allows you to upload documents, customize your order, and choose in-store pickup or delivery.
Alt text: A brightly lit Staples Copy & Print Center, showcasing its professional equipment and helpful staff ready to assist customers with their photocopying and printing needs.
9. Local Libraries
Your local public library is a fantastic resource for more than just books. Many libraries offer public access computers, printing, and photocopying services. Typically, libraries charge a small fee for black and white copies. Contact your local library or check their website to inquire about their specific services and pricing. Libraries are often a very budget-friendly option.
10. Post Offices (USPS)
While not all locations offer it, some United States Postal Service (USPS) offices have self-service copy machines available for public use. It’s not a service widely advertised by USPS, so it’s best to call your local post office directly to ask if they have a copier and what the cost is per page.
11. Community Centers
Community centers, recreation centers, and town halls often serve as hubs for local services. Many of these centers have copiers available for public use, sometimes for free or at a very low cost. Check with your local community center to see if they offer photocopying services to residents.
12. Office Depot & OfficeMax
Office Depot and OfficeMax, now merged, are major office supply retailers that provide copy and print services. They offer both black and white and color copying, with options for different paper types and finishing. You can upload documents online or bring them into the store. Office Depot and OfficeMax often have promotions and discounts available, so check their website or weekly ads for deals.
13. Costco
Costco Wholesale and Costco Business Centers sometimes offer photocopy services, although availability can vary by location. Costco is known for its value pricing, and their copy services are often competitively priced, especially for members. Contact your local Costco to inquire about their copy services and pricing. They may also offer online ordering with in-warehouse pickup. Remember that you may need a Costco membership to access these services.
14. Sam’s Club
Similar to Costco, some Sam’s Club locations offer business printing services, which can include photocopying, especially through their Sam’s Club Business Printing service. They may offer services like brochures, flyers, and postcards, which involve copying and printing. Contact your local Sam’s Club to inquire about specific photocopy services and pricing. Membership may be required.
15. Sir Speedy
Sir Speedy is a dedicated printing and marketing services company that offers a wide range of printing and copying solutions. They specialize in business printing needs, including black and white and color copies, digital printing, and book printing. Sir Speedy is a good option for larger or more complex copying jobs.
16. CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy is primarily known for health and beauty products and prescriptions, but many locations also offer photo and document printing services through their KODAK Picture Kiosks. These kiosks often allow you to make black and white and color copies from physical documents or digital files stored on USB drives. While convenient, CVS may be slightly more expensive than dedicated copy centers.
17. H-E-B (Texas)
For those in Texas, H-E-B grocery stores with Business Centers in some locations provide photocopy services as part of their business offerings. Check with your local H-E-B to see if they have a Business Center and offer photocopying.
18. Hy-Vee
Select Hy-Vee grocery store locations have copy machines available for customer use. These are typically found within the store’s service areas. Contact your local Hy-Vee to inquire if they offer photocopy services.
19. Coborn’s
Coborn’s, a grocery store chain primarily located in Minnesota and South Dakota, offers photocopying services at many of their stores. Copiers are usually located near the customer service counter. Coborn’s provides a convenient option if you are already grocery shopping.
20. Fiesta Mart (Texas)
Fiesta Mart, another grocery chain with locations in Texas, also offers photocopying services at some stores. Call your local Fiesta Mart to check if they have a copier available for customer use.
21. Walgreens
Walgreens, like CVS, primarily focuses on pharmacy and photo services, but they do offer photo-related copying services. You can get photocopies of photos for items like banners, family pictures, and calendars. However, Walgreens typically does not offer standard black and white or color paper document copying. Their services are more geared towards photo prints and enlargements.
22. Consider Buying a Home Copier
If you frequently need to make copies, especially in larger volumes, investing in a home copier or an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier might be a worthwhile long-term investment. Used copiers can be found at reasonable prices on platforms like Craigslist, OfferUp, and eBay. While there’s an initial cost, owning your own copier can save you money and time in the long run, especially when you factor in convenience and the ongoing cost of external copy services.
23. Google “Cheap Copies Near Me”
Don’t underestimate the power of a local Google search! Search for “cheap copies near me,” “copy services near me,” or “printing and copying near me” to discover smaller, local print shops that may offer competitive pricing and personalized service. These “mom and pop” shops are often very affordable and appreciate local business. You can also ask for recommendations on local community Facebook groups.
Online Copy Services
If you don’t need your copies immediately, ordering online can be a convenient and sometimes cheaper alternative.
24. Best Value Copy
Best Value Copy is an online printing service specializing in bulk black and white and color copies. They are known for very competitive pricing, particularly for larger orders. Their website allows you to upload documents, select your specifications, and place your order. They ship directly to you.
25. Color Copies Today
Color Copies Today is another online service focused on bulk printing. They offer both black and white and color copies, but typically have minimum order quantities, making them ideal for larger jobs. For example, you might need to order a minimum of 500 black and white copies or 150 color copies. Their website provides pricing details and ordering information.
26. Vistaprint
Vistaprint is a well-known online printing company offering a vast range of products, including flyers, postcards, and marketing materials. They also provide document printing and copying services. Vistaprint is a good option for smaller quantities and various paper and finishing options. Their prices vary based on quantity and specifications.
How to Make Digital Copies Without a Copier
What if you need to “make copies” of a document but don’t necessarily need physical paper copies right away? Your smartphone can become a powerful digital copier.
27. Genius Scan – PDF Scanner App
Genius Scan is a popular mobile app that turns your smartphone into a pocket scanner. You can use your phone’s camera to scan documents, receipts, notes, and more. The app automatically detects edges, corrects perspective, and enhances the scan quality. You can then save the scanned documents as JPEG images or multi-page PDF files, which you can share digitally or print later.
28. CamScanner App
CamScanner is another widely used mobile scanning app. It offers similar features to Genius Scan, allowing you to scan documents with your phone’s camera, enhance image quality, and save them as PDFs or JPEGs. CamScanner also offers features like cloud storage and collaboration, making it useful for sharing scanned documents digitally.
29. Google Drive App
Many people are unaware that the Google Drive mobile app has a built-in document scanning feature. Within the Drive app, you can use your phone’s camera to scan documents directly into your Google Drive storage. The scanned documents are saved as PDFs and are instantly accessible from any device where you are logged into your Google account. Google Drive’s scanning feature is a convenient option for those already using the Google ecosystem.
Conclusion
As you can see, finding “photocopies near me” is easier than you might think! From utilizing free resources like friends and family or workplace copiers to affordable options at major retailers and local print shops, you have a wide range of choices. Consider your needs, budget, and the quantity of copies you require to choose the best option for your situation. Whether you need a quick single copy or a large print job, this guide provides you with the knowledge to find the perfect photocopying solution.
