Where to Print Documents Now That Your Office Is Closed
I don’t commute to work to read, my internet at home is slow, and I don’t have free bagels to save up, but the most annoying little inconvenience of working from home comes when I need to print a document. It rarely happens, but when it does – let me say – it’s a sharp pain in the ass. The need for a physical copy – to store, sign, or scan and return – reminds me how much I took for granted the office printers that were conveniently located on every floor of my previous workstation, their dozens of stacks of paper nearby and the endlessly flowing ink to print. an almost thoughtless task.
Now that the offices are closed, where can you go if you need a printer?
There are many reasons why I do not want to buy my own printer, and the main one is that I will hardly use it. If I only need to print a physical document twice a year, is it really worth buying a home printer? Store a ream of paper? Replacing ink cartridges that cost the same as the printer itself? Both Marie Kondo and my checking account say no. Here are the options I’ve found in the clutch through a lot of trial and error.
Stationery stores
Apart from office furniture and supplies, places like Staples and Office Depot usually have a print work center where you can print and scan whatever you want. You can come with a USB stick, access files via email, or even pre-upload your documents to their cloud for same day retrieval. Simple printing will cost you about 10-15 cents per page, or from 60 cents per page for full color printing. There are also more interesting options if you need to print things like brochures, banners, or brochures.
Delivery Stores
Private delivery services in your area, such as FedEx and UPS, often have printers and computers for customers at prices similar to those charged at office supply stores. They are usually self-service and do not require you to queue up for customers to send something. Better yet, if you need to type frequently, they can also offer cloud printing and a mobile app that lets you download files on the go. Skip the line and pick them up when you are around.
Typography
Check with your local print shop to see if they offer on-demand printing of documents. While many are happy to print your documents or offer you a self-checkout computer and printer, some stores are exclusively dedicated to large orders for posters, T-shirts, and large print jobs (you will find a wide range of options if you just google “print by my side”). Your two-page contract isn’t worth their time, so call to see what type of store you’re dealing with. These are usually small local businesses, so there may not be a lot of them in your area, but if there is one nearby that offers open source printing, you might also feel great supporting them whenever you need to take care of a job quickly.
Libraries
A great option if they open near you, public libraries often have the lowest prices. Choose this option if you have the most basic printing needs – black and white, no frills – as your library won’t have all of the customization options that businesses typically offer. Disadvantages usually include limited uptime, outdated printers, and longer waiting times for an available computer, but your local library is reliable and always ready to help. This often applies to university libraries, even if you are not a student. Call ahead to be sure, but they are often happy to help if the job is easy enough. As a bonus, you can grab a few books while you’re there and explore all of the other amazing services they offer.
Hotels
A smart welcome when you’re stuck: stop by your nearest hotel and use their front desk, business center, or concierge service. Some have community print services if you ask, while others may simply offer you assistance during downtime. If you’ve been with them in the past, or have an account in the rewards program, be sure to mention it and they’ll likely be more than happy to help with a simple print job, maybe even for free.
Coworking spaces
While many office workers work from home during the pandemic, many workplaces are still working. If you have a membership, you can still stop by to print what you need on a regular office printer. If you don’t have a membership, their staff will still be able to help you. Save the document to a USB stick or prepare it for emailing and simply ask if it will be printed for you. This option is not guaranteed, but unlikely; Since most of the participants have left and the jobs are empty, employees have extra time to help when they can. Just ask politely.
Online Printing Services
If you are in no rush and can afford to wait a few days, online printing services may be the way to go. The catch is that you usually have to pay for shipping – obviously, it’s not worth it for a page or two. But if you have time and a lot of pages to print, you can upload them to the online print service and send the documents back to you.