Quick answer: For Staples vs FedEx printing on self-service letter color copies in 2026, Staples is usually cheaper. Staples commonly runs about 59 to 69 cents per color page, while FedEx Office self-service is commonly 71 to 76 cents. Searching FedEx vs Staples or FedEx or Staples printing for finishing help? FedEx still wins for late hours, binding, and odd document jobs. For Staples vs FedEx color copies at 100+ planned pages, 55printing is the cheaper third option: up to 199 color copies cost $40.25, up to 499 cost $55.00, and up to 999 cost $112.37 before shipping, verified July 17, 2026.
Staples vs FedEx: the 2026 price verdict
If your only question is the walk-in color copy price, Staples usually has the lower counter number. That matters for same-day school packets, last-minute business handouts, or a small batch of pages where shipping would erase any online savings. FedEx Office is still a strong choice when the job needs more help: spiral binding, mounted boards, late-night pickup, wide-format prints, or a staff member who can troubleshoot a difficult file.
The real split is not only Staples vs FedEx. It is same-day retail vs planned online production. Counter rates are linear: 500 pages cost 500 times the per-page rate. Online production gets cheaper at volume because press setup spreads across more pages. That is why the same 499-page color copy job that can cost $294 to $379 at a counter lands at $55.00 before shipping at 55printing.
Same job, three prices
| Job | Staples self-service | FedEx self-service | 55printing online |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 color pages | $59 – $69 | $71 – $76 | $40.25 before shipping |
| 250 color pages | $147.50 – $172.50 | $177.50 – $190 | $50.00 before shipping |
| 499 color pages | $294.41 – $344.31 | $354.29 – $379.24 | $55.00 before shipping |
| 999 color pages | $589.41 – $689.31 | $709.29 – $759.24 | $112.37 before shipping |
Retail ranges are July 2026 research and vary by store. 55printing figures come from the live 8.5×11 color copy pricing file on July 17, 2026. Use the table as a decision shortcut, not as a promise from a retail chain counter.
Where Staples wins
Staples is the practical pick for small same-day color copy jobs. If you need 12 pages before a meeting, the trip and the machine matter more than the price. Staples also has many locations, straightforward self-service machines, and an online pickup flow that works well for simple PDFs.
The drawback is price at volume. A teacher printing 500 color pages, a nonprofit printing event packets, or a real estate team preparing listing sheets will hit the retail machine rate fast. The counter is convenient, but it is not built for low per-page pricing on hundreds of color sheets.
Where FedEx wins
FedEx Office earns its higher rate when the job is more complicated. Many stores have longer hours, strong binding and finishing support, and better handling for file questions. If your PDF has mixed sizes, tabs, binding, or presentation finishing, FedEx may save time even if the page rate is higher.
FedEx is not the lowest-cost path for ordinary color copies. It is the service-depth path. That is useful when the document has a deadline and you need a staff member to solve a production detail in person.
When neither counter is the smart price
Once the job reaches 100 pages and you do not need it today, order online. At 55printing, up to 199 color copies cost $40.25, up to 499 cost $55.00, and up to 999 cost $112.37 before shipping. Each order gets a proof review before production. That step catches cropped margins, soft logos, or a document that was exported at the wrong size.
The honest limitation is time. Online ordering works when you have several business days for production and transit. If your event is tonight, go to the nearest counter. If the event is next week, online production usually saves enough money to justify planning ahead.
Staples vs FedEx printing FAQ
Is Staples or FedEx cheaper for color copies?
Staples is usually cheaper for self-service letter-size color copies in 2026, with common checked ranges around 59 to 69 cents per page. FedEx Office self-service commonly runs 71 to 76 cents per color page. Prices vary by store and job settings, so the store counter remains the final quote. For planned runs of 100 or more pages, 55printing is usually cheaper than both because up to 499 color copies cost $55.00 before shipping, verified July 17, 2026.
When should I choose FedEx instead of Staples?
Choose FedEx when the job needs more than ordinary color copies: binding, mounting, mixed sizes, file help, or extended store hours. FedEx can cost more per page, but staff help and finishing options can be worth it when a presentation has to look right today. For basic PDFs where price matters more than service, Staples usually has the better retail counter price.
How much do 500 color copies cost at Staples vs FedEx?
Using July 2026 researched ranges, 500 letter color copies at Staples self-service would run about $295 to $345 before tax. FedEx Office self-service would run about $355 to $380. The same quantity at 55printing falls inside the up-to-499 price bracket at $55.00 before shipping. If you can wait for production and shipping, online ordering is dramatically cheaper at that quantity.
Is online printing always cheaper?
No. Online printing is cheaper for planned volume, not for every job. If you need 10 pages today, a local counter is cheaper once shipping and wait time are included. If you need 100, 500, or 1,000 pages and can wait a few business days, online production usually wins because the per-page cost drops sharply at volume. The cheapest option depends on quantity and deadline.
Does 55printing offer same-day pickup like Staples or FedEx?
No. 55printing is an online printer, so orders are produced and shipped rather than picked up at a local retail counter. That is why it can beat retail counter prices on volume jobs. Use Staples or FedEx for true same-day pickup. Use 55printing for planned color copy jobs where the lower per-page cost and proof review matter more than walking out of a store today.
Which is better for business presentations?
FedEx is often better for presentation finishing because many locations offer binding, tabs, covers, and staff help. Staples can also handle presentation jobs, but FedEx tends to be the stronger service-depth pick. If the presentation is just loose color pages and you have a few business days, 55printing is usually cheaper for the printed pages themselves.
Which is better for school packets or nonprofit handouts?
For a handful of packets needed today, Staples usually wins because it is cheaper than FedEx and convenient. For 100 or more packet pages needed next week, 55printing usually wins because the per-page cost drops sharply. A 499-page color job costs $55.00 before shipping at 55printing, verified July 17, 2026.
Should I ask Staples or FedEx for a bulk quote?
Yes, if you must pick up locally. Machine rates are not always the lowest rate a print department can quote for a larger job. Ask the counter for a bulk color copy quote and compare it against the 55printing online total. If the counter quote is close and you need same-day pickup, local can make sense. If the quote is several hundred dollars higher, order online.
For a broader chain comparison, see our color copy price comparison. To price your own job, start with cheap color copies or rush color copies.