How to Print Without a Printer at Home: 3 Easy Options

• Easiest option: Use a mail service like PostPal to print and mail documents directly to your address
• Fastest option: Visit a local library or print shop (Staples, FedEx Office) for same-day printing
• Cost: Library printing starts at $0.10/page; mail services like PostPal cost $6 flat for multi-page documents
• Best for multiple pages: Mail services often offer better value for documents over 5-10 pages

Not everyone needs a printer at home. Between infrequent use, expensive ink cartridges, and the space they take up, many people have ditched home printers entirely. But when you actually need to print something, what do you do?

There are three main ways to print documents without owning a printer. The best option depends on how quickly you need it and whether the document needs to be mailed somewhere anyway.

If you can wait 2-4 days, a mailing service like PostPal is the most convenient option. You upload your document online, and we print it, put it in an envelope, and mail it directly to any address - including your own.

How It Works

1. Go to PostPal.ca/send
2. Enter your address as both the sender and recipient
3. Upload your PDF or type your document content
4. Pay $6 CAD and you're done

Your printed document arrives in 2-4 business days via Canada Post.

Best For

• Documents you don't need immediately
• Multi-page documents (same flat rate regardless of pages)
• Letters or documents that need to be mailed to someone else anyway
• People who don't want to leave home

Cost

$6 CAD flat rate within Canada, $12 CAD international. This includes printing, envelope, postage, and delivery - no matter how many pages.

For same-day printing, your local library or a print shop like Staples or FedEx Office is the fastest option. Bring your document on a USB drive or email it to yourself for access on their computers.

Public Libraries

Most public libraries offer printing services at very low cost:

• Cost: Typically $0.10-0.25 per black and white page, $0.50-1.00 for colour
• Requirements: Library card (usually free to get), USB drive or email access
• Hours: Varies by location, some open evenings and weekends

Staples, FedEx Office, and Print Shops

Commercial print shops offer more flexibility and longer hours:

• Cost: $0.15-0.50 per black and white page, higher for colour
• Services: Self-service or full-service printing, binding, different paper types
• Hours: Many locations open late or 24 hours

Best For

• Urgent printing needs (same-day)
• Single-page or few-page documents
• When you need special paper or binding

Many print shops let you upload documents online and pick them up later or have them delivered. This saves time at the store but still requires a trip for pickup.

Staples Print Online

• Upload documents at staples.ca
• Choose pickup at your nearest store
• Ready in as little as 1 hour for standard documents

FedEx Office

• Upload at fedex.com
• Print to any FedEx Office location
• Delivery options available for larger orders

Best For

• Skipping the line at the print shop
• Complex print jobs that need review before pickup
• Larger orders that qualify for delivery

Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

Method	Speed	Cost (10 pages)	Effort
Mail service (PostPal)	2-4 days	$6 flat	Lowest - do it from home
Library	Same day	$1-2.50	Medium - travel required
Print shop	Same day	$1.50-5	Medium - travel required
Online + pickup	Same day	$1.50-5	Medium - still need pickup

Choose a mail service if you don't need the document urgently and want zero hassle.

Choose a library if you need it today and want the lowest cost per page.

Choose a print shop if you need it today, want flexible hours, or need special printing options.

Can I print from my phone without a printer?

Yes! All three options work from your phone. Mail services let you upload directly from your phone. Libraries and print shops often have email-to-print or apps that let you send documents from your phone to their printers.

What's the cheapest way to print without a printer?

For a few pages, libraries are cheapest at around $0.10-0.25 per page. For larger documents (10+ pages), a flat-rate mail service becomes more economical.

Can I print at Walmart or grocery stores?

Most Walmart locations have photo printing kiosks, but they're designed for photos rather than documents. For document printing, a library or dedicated print shop is a better choice.

How do I print a PDF without a printer?

Save your PDF to a USB drive, email it to yourself, or upload it directly to an online service. Libraries, print shops, and mail services like PostPal all accept PDF files.

Is it worth buying a printer for occasional use?

For most people who print infrequently, no. Budget inkjet printers cost $50-100, but ink cartridges cost $30-60 and can dry out if unused. If you print less than once a month, using a print service is usually more economical.

You don't need a printer at home to print documents. For urgent needs, visit your local library or a print shop like Staples. For convenience and multi-page documents, use a mail service that prints and delivers to your door.

Need a document printed and mailed? Use PostPal to print and mail your document for $6 flat - no printer, no trip to the post office, and it arrives in 2-4 days.