Every so often you may need to make a copy and don’t have the equipment to do so.   That’s understandable.  After all, who has a copier in their living room?

While an all-in-one printer often has a copier function, it can be slow and pricey to use it since it will eat up your costly ink cartridge.  Let’s not even get started if you have to make multiple copies.  In these cases, it will be a lot easier to hop in the car and use a copier machine.  This could be the reason why copies near me is such a popular search term.

No matter the reason you need to make copies, I wanted to create a simple guide, letting you know where you can make cheap, sometimes free copies near you.  I will talk about where you can get a copy as well as what it could cost.  Keep in mind that these prices are just estimates and can change at any time.  If you are taking advantage, please be sure to contact the location mentioned to ensure you know what you’re going to pay.

With that out of the way, let’s take a gander at the many places you can get cheap copies, sometimes not having to pay a dime.

Where to Get Free Copies

Apartment Leasing Offices

This isn’t to be said about all apartment complexes, but some offices will make a select number of copies for free as a perk. In my old apartment, they would make a few copies as a kind gesture, but again, it isn’t guaranteed.  If you’re lucky enough, your apartment may have a small business center equipped with copy machines, fax machines, computers, etc.  If you’re unsure, refer to your apartment’s official website or call them up to see if they offer anything like this.

Your Employer

Like the apartments, your employer may be able to be kind enough to let you copy some items for free.  As long as you’re not looking to copy a 500-page book, most employers are lenient in letting you at least make a few copies.  Talk with your boss before doing so, but if you work in a nice enough place, they will more than likely say yes.  Again, as long as you’re not excessive in your request.

Hotel Copy Center

Many hotel chains offer a small business center, usually equipped with a computer, printer and sometimes a copier.  Depending on the chain and your status, you may be able to make a few copies at no cost.  It doesn’t hurt to ask the front desk to see what they can do for you.

Your Church

If you go to church, they may be able to help you with a copy or two for good gesture.  If they do, remember to not take advantage and only consider this route if you need a few copies.  In some cases, your church may ask you to pay a few cents to offset the costs.

Town/City Hall

There are have been some reports where residents were able to get a few copies for free at their local town hall as a kind gesture as long as you were a resident.  I wouldn’t say this is guaranteed in every city, but it doesn’t hurt to call your local city hall to see what they say.

Download an App

As long as you have a smartphone, whether it be an iPhone or Android, you can download an app and make a copy from your phone.  However, I would only recommend this option if you had to make a copy or two and you already have a printer.  What are known as scanning apps, you can take a picture of the document you need a copy of, upload it to the app and then print it at home.  Most of these offer high-quality scans and I can assure you that you would be impressed with the quality.

Some of the scanning apps you may want to check out include:

• Simple Scan
• Fast Scanner
• TapScanner
• Tiny Scanner

Almost all of these I mentioned are free, but some do offer optional premium options if interested.  You can search the Google Play Store or iTunes as there are many other options available as well.

Friends and Family

And, to finish the freebie section, you could always ask friends or family to see if they know of any options and/or even have a copying machine of their own.  If you only need a few copies, then they may be able to help.  Of course, try to at least bring the paper to not come off as greedy.

Where to Get Cheap Copies Near You

NOTE:  These are just estimates when I researched.  Please contact the provider mentioned to confirm pricing and availability.  Prices do go down if you copy in bulk.

Post Office

Copy Price: $0.10~ B&W / $0.50~ Color

Almost all post offices have a copying machine on site, usually located inside the lobby.  This is a nice option if you don’t want to deal with someone and only have a few copies you need to make.  Now, the problem is the official USPS.com website doesn’t note if your local post office has a copier or not.

Your Local Library

Copy Price: $0.15~ B&W / $0.50~ Color

Almost every library has a copier on site, where you can make copies for a fee.  Depending on your library, copy fees can range anywhere from as little as $0.05 to $0.15, depending on the type of copy you want to make.  For instance, my local library charges $0.10 per black and white copy.  Even if you’re not a library member, it’s easy to get a library card as long as you can prove your residency.  To find a library near you, a quick search or even using this database can help point you in the right direction.

CVS Pharmacy

Copy Price: $0.20~ B&W / $1~ Color

Believe it or not but CVS Pharmacy is more than just prescriptions and greeting cards.  Almost all locations have a copier machine on site as well.  To confirm, refer to the official CVS website or call your local location to confirm.

Costco

Copy Price: $0.03~ B&W / $0.29~ Color

Yes, Costco offers copy services in store, with prices starting at $0.29 for color and $0.035 for black and white.  The only downfall is that they do have a 1,000 copy minimum if you’re copying black and white papers and a 50 page minimum for color. Nonetheless, if you have a Costco membership, it’s one to consider as the prices are aggressive and can be done on site.

Office Depot and OfficeMax

Copy Price: $0.11~ B&W / $0.59~ Color

These two office supply chains are now one and offer copies inside their print and copy center.  When I checked out my local Office Depot, they charged $0.09 for a black and white copy and $0.42 for a colored copy.  If you do use this chain as your option, be sure to check out the official site as they often offer coupons to help bring the costs down.  You can also send in your documents ahead of time so that you don’t need to waste your time on site.

FedEx Office

Copy Price: $0.20~ B&W / $0.69~ Color (varies on location)

FedEx Office, formerly known as Kinkos, is a larger retail chain with more than 1,000+ locations nationwide.  Inside their retail stores, they have copier machines on site, with black and white copies retailing for $0.13, whereas color copies can cost $0.58 or so.  Please use this as an estimate as the prices can change.  Aside from copying in store, you can also scan over your pages via their website and pick up your copies in store when ready.

Sir Speedy

Copy Price: $0.20~ B&W / $0.70~ Color (varies on location)

Sir Speedy isn’t a household name, per se, but they work just like FedEx Office.  You can print anything from a banner to copy a simple black and white document.  They don’t advertise their prices on their website, but in researching online, I found the prices to be similar to that of FedEx Office.  To find a location as well as coupon deals, be sure to check out the website for more information.

Staples

Copy Price: $0.11~ B&W / $0.53~ Color

Yet another popular retailer, Staples also have a copy center, wherein you can make your copies on site or send them ahead of time on their website.  Out of all the options I mention, they have the lowest rates if you’re buying in bulk, with rates as low as $0.02 per page.

UPS Store

Copy Price: $0.09~ B&W / $0.50~ Color

The UPS store has more than 3,500+ locations and works just like that of FedEx Office.  Black and white copies start at $0.09, whereas colored copies are a pinch less than $0.50.  Discounts are said to be available, but it appears you will have to talk with your local location to see what they can do for you.  Just like FedEx, you can also upload your documents and pick up your copies in store when ready.

Community Center

Copy Price: $0.15~ B&W / $0.50~ Color

Like your local library, many cities have a community center, often which consists of basketball courts, a gym, etc.  In many cases, they offer a public copy machine as well.  Again, this can depend on your location as many cities don’t offer one, but it doesn’t hurt to search.

Your Local Grocery Store

There are a limited number of grocery store chains that do have copies inside their stores.  In my research, the following stores offer copies at a low cost:

• Coborn’s
• Fiesta Mart
• H E B
• Hy-Vee
• Publix
• Vons

Depending on the location, it seemed like most copies started at $0.10+ for black and white and $0.50+ for color.  Call your local grocery store before going to confirm they have a copier machine on site.

Your College Library

Every college has a copy machine, usually located inside of the library.  As long as you have a student ID and credit card, most of your work can be done on site.  Depending on the college you go to, most copy prices will be quite competitive in the prices mentioned above.

Search “Cheap Copies Near Me” for More Local Print Shop Options

I can’t list everyone on this guide as there will be some local retailers that will have copying options for a fee.  To find these companies in question, Google does a decent job showcasing the companies in your area, simply by searching for a keyword like “cheap copies near me.”  As long as you have your location settings on, you should find some results.  Now, the only downfall is that most of these companies won’t list their prices on their website, so you may have to make a phone call before showing up.

Buy Your Own Copier?

If you feel you’re going to make at least 100 to 300+ copies a month, you may be better off buying a smaller copying machine and/or a used one off Craigslist.  They aren’t as expensive as you think.  Glancing at Amazon, for instance, I found some very simple machines starting at as little as $130+.   Seeing colored copies can easily average $0.20+ each, you will have to make sure that buying them at a local retailer makes sense.  If you were to invest $200, you would only have to make 1,000 copies to potentially break even.

Where to Get Cheap Copies Online

BestValueCopy.com

Copy Price: $0.027~ B&W / $0.09~ Color

BestValueCopy.com is an online printing business that has been in the industry for more than 20 years.  As long as you don’t mind having your copies shipped to you, it’s one of the cheaper options to consider.  As I write this, black and white copies cost $0.027 whereas color copies are $0.09.  These numbers blow away the local retailers, as you’re about to find out.  Again, you will have to upload the documents you need copied, so it may not work for some, but it’s an option to consider.

ColorCopiesToday

Copy Price: $0.01~ B&W / $0.20~ Color

ColorCopiesToday is another online option that offers a variety of copy options.  Black and white copies start at 500 copies for $20, whereas color copies average about $0.10+ each.  These prices depend on the type of paper and how many copies you need.  Play around with the website to see what they do charge for their copies.  In most cases, they ship the same or the very next business day, so there won’t be much waiting.

DocuCopies

Copy Price: $0.07~ B&W / $0.089~ Color

DocuCopies, yet another online printing company, offers both color copies as well as black/white copies, at an aggressive rate.  The company was founded in 1982, being nationwide since 2003.  Color copies, greatly depending on your options, start at $0.087, whereas black and white copies can set you back about $0.07.  This includes the setup fee.  Play around with the calculator on the official website as there are a lot of options they offer, all of which affect the price.

Printivity

Copy Price: $0.06~ B&W / $0.24~ Color

And, as my last option, Printivity, offers color copies as well as black and white options as well.  The website has a very easy to use calculator, making it very easy to see what you will pay for your order.

Where You Can’t Make Copies

In my research, I found a lot of questions in regards to where or where you can’t make a copy.

To help you with this, the following retailers/places often do not offer copy services:

• Banks
• Gas Station
• Kroger
• Target
• Rite Aid
• Safeway
• Walgreens
• Walmart

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to make copies in person or online, there are a ton of options, each with varying prices, as you can see.

In the end, most copies can range from $0.02 to $0.20~ for black and white copies to $0.10 to $1+ per color copy.  Of course, it greatly depends on who you use.  And, don’t forget, bulk discounts may available.  It could be free if you find the right opportunity.

For now, check out the list and see which location works best for you.  Just remember that these prices are estimates, so be sure to call to confirm before wasting your time.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

If I’m missing any on the list, feel free to let me know in the comments below so that I can add it.