By Lily Silverston, Print Production Specialist · Updated February 2026 · 9-min read
Short answer: Online printing services are the cheapest place to get color copies by a significant margin — typically $0.03–$0.08 per page versus $0.25–$0.65 at retail stores. For a 500-page order, that difference adds up to $110–$230 in savings on a single job. This guide breaks down the actual prices at every major option so you can choose the right one for your situation.
Table of Contents
- Why Color Copy Prices Vary So Much
- Retail Store Price Breakdown (2026 Data)
- Staples vs. FedEx Office: Which Is Cheaper?
- Hidden Fees That Inflate Your Final Bill
- How Volume Discounts Actually Work
- Online Printing: The Real Price Difference
- When to Use Each Option
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Color Copy Prices Vary So Much Between Providers
A color copy at FedEx Office can cost 12 times more than the same page from an online printer. That gap is not arbitrary — it reflects completely different business models with completely different cost structures.
When you pay $0.49 per page at a retail copy center, you are covering several things that have nothing to do with ink or paper:
- Prime retail real estate. FedEx Office and Staples locations sit in high-traffic shopping plazas. Rent alone runs $8,000–$25,000 per month per location depending on the market.
- Staffed storefronts. Staff stand ready to help you during all business hours — and their wages and benefits are built into every page you print.
- Consumer-grade equipment. Retail copy machines cost $15,000–$40,000 each and use expensive individual toner cartridges that run $150–$300 per replacement. Commercial digital presses use bulk toner systems that cut per-page costs by 60–70%.
- Retail profit margins. Brick-and-mortar printing chains target 40–60% gross margins on print services. High-volume online print operations run on 15–25% margins because they never close, never sit idle, and serve thousands of customers from a single facility.
None of this makes retail stores a bad option — they offer something valuable that online printing cannot: copies in your hands within the hour. The question is whether that convenience is worth the premium for your specific situation.
Retail Store Price Breakdown: 2026 Data
The prices below reflect standard 8.5″ × 11″ color copies on 20lb bond paper — the default option at each retailer. Prices were verified in January–February 2026 across multiple U.S. markets. Prices vary by location; stores in downtown urban areas typically run 15–25% higher than suburban locations of the same chain.
| Provider | Price Per Page | Self-Service Rate | Bulk Discount Threshold | 500-Page Job Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staples | $0.25–$0.50 | $0.20–$0.40 | 5–10% at 100+ pages | $125–$237 |
| FedEx Office | $0.30–$0.60 | $0.25–$0.50 | 8–12% at 250+ pages | $132–$264 |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | $0.25–$0.49 | $0.22–$0.42 | 5–10% at 100+ pages | $112–$220 |
| The UPS Store | $0.30–$0.65 | Not available | 10–15% at 500+ pages | $135–$276 |
| Walmart Photo | $0.30–$0.45 | Self-service only | None | $135–$202 |
| Online Printing Services | $0.03–$0.08 | N/A | 15–25% at 1,000+ | $15–$40 |
The bottom line on 500 pages: Retail stores charge $112–$276 for the same job that costs $15–$40 online. That gap — roughly $80–$230 on a single order — is the clearest reason most businesses that print regularly have moved their volume online.
Staples vs. FedEx Office: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
For most people choosing between retail stores, the decision comes down to these two. Here is how they compare honestly.
Where Staples Wins
- Lower baseline price per page — typically $0.05–$0.15 cheaper than FedEx on standard jobs
- Self-service kiosks at most locations reduce cost further (and skip the wait)
- Frequent coupon promotions — 20%-off printing coupons appear regularly in their app and email list
- Rewards program returns approximately 5% back on printing spend
- More total U.S. locations for convenience
Where FedEx Office Wins
- Better color calibration on premium and presentation-quality jobs
- Wider selection of paper stocks available in-store
- More locations with extended or 24-hour hours
- Better bulk pricing at high quantities (250+ pages)
- More consistent quality control across locations
The Verdict
For standard color copies on standard paper, Staples is typically $0.05–$0.15 per page cheaper than FedEx Office — which adds up to $25–$75 on a 500-page job. If you use coupons, Staples wins more decisively. If you need higher-quality output or are printing 250+ pages without a coupon, FedEx Office’s bulk pricing can close the gap.
Neither is the cheapest place to get color copies in an absolute sense — online printing beats both by a factor of 4–8x. But between the two retail giants, Staples holds the price advantage for most standard jobs.
Hidden Fees That Inflate Your Final Bill
The advertised per-page rate is a starting point, not a final price. Retail copy centers add charges that regularly increase the final invoice by 30–60%. Knowing these upfront lets you ask the right questions before you authorize anything.
7 Charges to Ask About Before Printing
- File conversion fee ($5–$15). Brought a Word or PowerPoint file? Many stores charge to export it to print-ready PDF. This takes about 30 seconds on any computer but gets billed as a service.
- Design adjustment fee ($10–$50). If your file needs margins adjusted, images resized, or bleed added, that is classified as “design work” — even for trivial changes.
- Premium paper upsell (+$0.10–$0.20/page). Counter staff are often trained to suggest heavier or glossier paper. The upgrade is sometimes worth it, but it is also sometimes added without clearly explaining the cost increase. Always confirm which paper stock is being used before printing starts.
- USB drive fee ($3–$8). If you arrive without a USB drive, stores typically will not accept a file sent by email or cloud link — they will sell you a drive at retail markup instead.
- Rush processing fee ($15–$40). “Same day” at many locations means a 4–6 hour queue. Anything faster is often classified as a rush job and triggers a surcharge, even during off-peak hours.
- Color correction reprint fee ($10–$25). If finished copies do not match expected colors, stores will often charge for reprints — even when the discrepancy is caused by their own equipment calibration rather than your file.
- Minimum order fee ($5–$10). Small jobs at some locations trigger a minimum charge, meaning 5 pages may cost the same as 20 pages at a flat minimum rate.
These charges can turn a $0.35-per-page quote into an effective cost of $0.55–$0.70 per page by the time you reach checkout. The simplest protection: ask for a written estimate that includes all charges before the job starts, not after the copies are already made.
How Volume Discounts Actually Work — And What They Don’t Tell You
Volume discounts at retail copy centers sound meaningful in advertising. In practice, the savings are modest and the math still leaves online printing far cheaper even at high quantities.
| Quantity | Typical Retail Discount | Retail Price Per Page (After Discount) | Online Price Per Page | Cost Difference (1,000 pages) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–99 pages | None | $0.40 | $0.07 | $330 more at retail |
| 100–249 pages | 5–8% off | $0.37 | $0.06 | $310 more at retail |
| 250–499 pages | 10–12% off | $0.35 | $0.05 | $300 more at retail |
| 500–999 pages | 12–15% off | $0.34 | $0.05 | $290 more at retail |
| 1,000+ pages | 15–20% off | $0.32 | $0.04 | $280 more at retail |
The problem with retail volume discounts is visible in the table: even at 1,000+ pages with maximum discounts applied, retail prices are still 7–8 times higher than online printing. A 20% discount on a $0.40 page brings it to $0.32 — still four times the cost of a $0.08 online page.
Volume discounts at retail stores are real, but they compress a price that was already inflated. They are worth using — always mention the quantity upfront and ask about any available discount — but they do not change the fundamental math that makes online printing dramatically cheaper for most jobs.
Online Printing: The Real Price Difference
Online color copy services — including Cheap FAST Printing, Vistaprint, PrintingForLess, and others — operate on a fundamentally different model. They run high-capacity digital presses continuously, serve customers nationwide from centralized facilities, and ship finished orders in 1–5 business days. The eliminated overhead directly reduces the price per page.
What Online Printing Costs in Practice
| Quantity | Online Price Range (Per Page) | Total Online Cost | Equivalent Retail Cost | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 pages | $0.07–$0.12 | $1.75–$3.00 | $6–$15 | $4–$12 |
| 100 pages | $0.05–$0.09 | $5–$9 | $25–$50 | $16–$41 |
| 250 pages | $0.04–$0.08 | $10–$20 | $62–$150 | $42–$130 |
| 500 pages | $0.03–$0.07 | $15–$35 | $125–$250 | $90–$215 |
| 1,000 pages | $0.03–$0.06 | $30–$60 | $250–$500 | $190–$440 |
What Online Printing Includes That Retail Often Charges Extra For
- File review included. Most online printers check your file for common errors (resolution, bleed, color mode) before printing — at no extra charge.
- Paper upgrades often included. Many online services include 60lb or 80lb paper as standard — the same stock that retail stores charge a premium paper upsell for.
- No file format fees. Upload a PDF, Word doc, or InDesign file — conversion is handled at no charge.
- Shipping is the only significant add-on. Shipping adds $8–$20 depending on speed and quantity. Even with shipping added, online orders almost always come in under retail prices.
The One Genuine Disadvantage of Online Printing
You cannot have it in an hour. Standard online printing turnaround is 1–5 business days plus shipping time. Rush services (next-day or 2-day) are available at most online printers and still frequently cost less than retail walk-in pricing — but they require advance planning. If you need 50 copies before a 2 p.m. meeting today, you need a retail store. If you can plan 48 hours ahead, online printing wins on price every time.
When to Use Each Option: A Practical Decision Guide
| Your Situation | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Need copies in less than 2 hours | Staples or Office Depot | Only option when speed is non-negotiable; use self-service kiosk and a coupon to minimize cost |
| Need copies today, can wait 4–6 hours | FedEx Office | Extended hours at many locations; better quality control for presentation-grade jobs |
| Printing 25–100 pages, can wait 2–3 days | Online printing | Even at small quantities, online saves $15–$40 vs. retail |
| Printing 100+ pages on any recurring basis | Online printing only | The savings compound fast — $100–$400+ per order at this volume |
| Need specialty paper, binding, or finishing | Online printing | Far more paper stock options and finishing services than any retail location |
| One-time small job, no time to plan ahead | Staples (with coupon) | The convenience premium is worth it for a genuine one-off emergency |
Annual Savings Calculator: What Switching to Online Printing Is Actually Worth
If your business prints color copies regularly, the math across a full year makes the case clearly.
| Monthly Pages Printed | Annual Cost at Retail ($0.40/page) | Annual Cost Online ($0.06/page) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 pages/month | $2,400 | $360 | $2,040 |
| 1,000 pages/month | $4,800 | $720 | $4,080 |
| 2,000 pages/month | $9,600 | $1,440 | $8,160 |
| 5,000 pages/month | $24,000 | $3,600 | $20,400 |
For a business printing 2,000 color pages per month — a modest volume for any company producing proposals, reports, or marketing materials — the difference between retail and online printing is over $8,000 per year. That money funds things that actually grow the business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to get color copies right now?
Online printing services are consistently the cheapest option for color copies, with prices ranging from $0.03 to $0.08 per page depending on quantity. Among retail stores, Staples typically offers the lowest walk-in prices — especially when using self-service kiosks and their periodic coupon promotions. The UPS Store is generally the most expensive retail option for standard color copies.
How much do color copies cost at Staples in 2026?
Staples currently charges approximately $0.25–$0.50 per page for full-color copies on standard paper, depending on location. Self-service kiosk pricing drops that to $0.20–$0.40 per page. Volume discounts of 5–10% apply at 100+ pages. Using a Staples coupon (commonly 20% off) can bring effective pricing to $0.20–$0.40 per page for full-service orders.
Is FedEx Office cheaper than Staples for color copies?
No — Staples is typically $0.05–$0.15 per page cheaper than FedEx Office for standard color copies. FedEx Office closes the gap at high volumes (250+ pages) and offers better quality on premium jobs, but for routine color copies on standard paper, Staples holds the price advantage between the two retail chains.
Can I get same-day color copies from an online printer?
Some online printers offer same-day or next-day production on select products, but same-day delivery is generally not available — you still need shipping time. If you genuinely need copies in hand the same day, a local retail store is the only viable option. For anything 24–48 hours out or beyond, online printing delivers better price, quality, and paper stock options.
Are there hidden fees at retail copy centers?
Yes, and they are common. The most frequent charges that are not included in advertised per-page pricing are file conversion fees ($5–$15), premium paper upsells ($0.10–$0.20 per page extra), rush processing fees ($15–$40), and minimum order fees ($5–$10) on small jobs. Always ask for a complete written estimate before authorizing a retail print job.
How many color copies should I need before switching to online printing?
Online printing is cost-effective starting at quantities as low as 25 pages when you have 2–3 days of lead time. At 50+ pages with any advance notice, the savings over retail almost always exceed the shipping cost. The break-even point where online printing clearly wins — even accounting for shipping — is approximately 30–50 pages for most orders.
The Bottom Line
The cheapest place to get color copies is online printing — and it is not close. At $0.03–$0.08 per page versus $0.25–$0.65 at retail, the difference on a 500-page order alone is $90–$230. For businesses that print regularly, switching from retail to online printing saves thousands of dollars annually.
Retail stores serve a real purpose: copies in your hands within the hour, no planning required. That convenience is worth paying for in a genuine emergency. But for anything that can be planned 24–48 hours ahead — which is most printing — the case for online services is overwhelming.
Among retail options, Staples is typically the lowest-cost choice for standard jobs. Using their self-service kiosk and any available coupon code can bring retail prices down significantly, though never to online levels.
If you are ready to compare exact pricing for your specific quantity and paper requirements, get an instant quote on color copies at Cheap FAST Printing. Standard turnaround is 1–3 business days, rush options are available, and all file reviews are included at no charge.
External Link: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/best-printers-of-the-year-a9151182809/