Staples color copies vs online: the practical decision
The real question is not whether Staples is a good print counter. It is. The question is whether a retail counter is the right cost structure for your job. If you need 20 pages this afternoon, use Staples. If you need 250 training pages next week, 55printing usually saves money and adds a proof review before printing.
Staples is built around local speed. 55printing is built around planned production. That is why the same file can make sense at both places depending on deadline and quantity.
Color copy price comparison
| Quantity | Staples self-service estimate | 55printing online | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 pages | $14.75 – $17.25 | $14.75 bracket before shipping | Staples if same day |
| 100 pages | $59 – $69 | $40.25 before shipping | Depends on deadline |
| 250 pages | $147.50 – $172.50 | $50.00 before shipping | 55printing if planned |
| 499 pages | $294.41 – $344.31 | $55.00 before shipping | 55printing |
| 999 pages | $589.41 – $689.31 | $112.37 before shipping | 55printing |
Where Staples still wins
Staples wins when time is more valuable than per-page cost. A school form, a few color menus, one meeting packet, or a last-minute handout is exactly what self-service copy machines are for. You walk in, print, pay, and leave. No transit time. No shipping cost. No waiting for a proof.
Staples can also be useful for test printing. If you want to see how a photo looks on paper before ordering 500 copies online, a retail counter print can be a cheap visual test.
Where 55printing wins
55printing wins when a job is large enough for volume pricing and planned enough for shipping. The proof process is the major advantage beyond price. A human review can catch a cropped logo, a bad page size, a low-resolution image, or a file exported with unwanted margins. Those issues are expensive when repeated hundreds of times.
For recurring jobs, 55printing also saves the reorder headache. Once the file is correct, future runs can be ordered without rebuilding the job at a local machine.
What the coupon changes
The active copies coupon can reduce eligible 55printing copy orders by 5 percent up to $100. On a $55 print total, that is $2.75 saved before shipping. On a larger packet or repeat job, the savings are more noticeable. Always enter the coupon at checkout and confirm the total changes before payment.
For the full retail roundup, read color copy prices compared. To order, visit cheap color copies.
Upload your file, pick paper and quantity, and see the live total before you pay.
Staples vs 55printing FAQ
Is Staples cheaper than online color copies?
For Staples color copies vs online, Staples can be cheaper for very small same-day jobs once shipping is included. For 100 or more pages with a few days of lead time, online is usually cheaper. Up to 499 color copies cost $55.00 before shipping at 55printing, while the same job at a 59 to 69 cent retail machine would be roughly $294 to $344 before tax.
What does 100 color copies cost at 55printing?
At 55printing, 100 pages falls inside the up-to-199 color copy bracket at $40.25 before shipping, verified July 17, 2026. The same 100 pages at Staples self-service would be about $59 to $69 before tax using July 2026 researched ranges. If you need the pages today, Staples still may be the better choice.
Does 55printing check files before printing?
Yes. 55printing includes a proof review before production. The team checks common print problems like missing bleed, wrong page size, low-resolution art, and unsafe margins. That proof process is one of the main reasons to use online production for larger copy jobs, because a mistake repeated across 500 pages costs more than a small same-day counter job.
Can Staples match 55printing on bulk pricing?
Sometimes a Staples print department can quote lower than the self-service machine rate for bulk jobs, so it is worth asking if you need same-day pickup. But published and machine rates remain much higher than online production for many 250+ page jobs. The only reliable way to know is to compare a live store quote against the 55printing cart before ordering.
Which option is better for recurring business packets?
55printing is usually better for recurring packets because the file can be proofed, corrected, and reused. The per-page price falls at volume, and you avoid rebuilding the job at a retail machine each time. Staples remains useful for quick emergency replacements or short runs under 50 pages.
What if my Staples store offers a lower bulk quote?
Use the quote if it meets your deadline and paper requirements. Store quotes can occasionally beat machine rates, especially for simple black and white or mixed document jobs. Compare the final counter quote against the 55printing cart, including shipping. The better choice is the one with the lower all-in total and enough time for proofing or pickup.
Does 55printing ship color copies nationwide?
Yes. 55printing ships color copy orders to customers nationwide. Shipping cost and delivery time depend on your ZIP code, order weight, and selected service. For planned runs, shipping is usually still cheaper than paying high retail per-page rates. For same-day local pickup, Staples remains the faster option.
Can I use Staples for a proof and 55printing for the final run?
Yes, that is a practical strategy. Print one or two pages at Staples to check color, sizing, and readability, then upload the final PDF to 55printing for the larger run. This works especially well for menus, handouts, and presentation packets where you want to see one physical page before paying for hundreds of copies.