Where to Print Party Printables: At Home, Staples, FedEx Office or Walgreens
You can print most party printables at home if your printer takes cardstock. If it doesn't, or you need a big batch, a copy shop like Staples, FedEx Office or Office Depot can print them on cardstock the same day. Photo counters like Walgreens and CVS are great for photo-size prints, but not for templates that must print at an exact size.
Whichever you choose, two things matter more than the place: the paper (cardstock, not copy paper) and the scale (100%, never "fit to page").
Quick answer: which option fits
Home printer — Best for: Small batches, last-minute reprints, personalized names; Watch out for: Your printer's maximum paper weight; ink cost on large batches
Staples, FedEx Office, Office Depot — Best for: Cardstock in bulk, big signs, when your printer can't feed thick paper; Watch out for: Scaling at the counter; paper choice; price per sheet
Walgreens, CVS photo — Best for: Images sized as photos: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 signs and cards; Watch out for: Fixed photo sizes crop or resize Letter templates
Printing at home
If your printer handles cardstock, home is the easiest option: you can test, reprint a single sheet and print names as you go.
Use 65 lb cover cardstock (about 176 g/m²) for toppers, tags and labels, and 80 lb cover (about 216 g/m²) for favor boxes, tent cards and signs.
Feed it from the rear or manual tray if your printer has one, one sheet at a time.
Set the paper type to cardstock or matte and the quality to high.
Print at "Actual size" or 100%, with borderless off.
Our guide to Best Paper and Printer Settings for Printables (Cardstock Guide) goes through each setting and how to find your printer's paper limits.
Printing at Staples, FedEx Office or Office Depot
Copy centers use large production printers that handle heavier paper than most home inkjets. Most let you upload files online for pickup, email them, or bring them on a USB drive.
What to bring
The original PDF, not a screenshot or a photo of your screen. Screenshots lose resolution and size.
Your order email on your phone. Some shops ask whether you have permission to print a professional-looking design. Your order confirmation shows you bought the file for personal use.
A ruler, or know one measurement on the template to check.
What to ask for at the counter
Copy this into your phone's notes and show it to the staff:
"Color, single-sided, on cardstock, around 80 lb cover (about 216 g/m²)."
"Letter size, printed at 100% or actual size. Please don't fit it to the page."
"Can you print one test sheet first?"
Then measure the test sheet. If it's smaller than it should be, ask them to reprint at 100%. Only then print the batch.
Cardstock weights: cover vs. index
Paper weight in pounds depends on the paper type, so numbers don't compare directly:
20–24 lb bond — About: 75–90 g/m²; Use it for: Tests, games, coloring pages
65 lb cover — About: 176 g/m²; Use it for: Toppers, tags, labels, invitations
110 lb index — About: 199 g/m²; Use it for: Similar to 65–80 lb cover; a common copy shop option
80 lb cover — About: 216 g/m²; Use it for: Favor boxes, tent cards, signs
100 lb cover — About: 270 g/m²; Use it for: Sturdy signs; may be hard to fold on small boxes
Notice that 110 lb index is lighter than 80 lb cover. When in doubt, ask for the weight in g/m², or ask to feel a sample.
Tips for copy-shop prints
Matte is better than glossy for anything you'll fold. Coated papers crack more along a fold.
Toner can crack on folds. Score every fold line before folding, especially on dark, solid colors.
Ask about cutting. Some stores can trim straight lines on a paper cutter, which is handy for signs and tags. Boxes and toppers with curves you'll still cut at home.
Compare price per sheet. Prices change by store, color and paper. Ask for a quote for color on cardstock, then multiply by the sheets you need.
Printing at Walgreens or CVS photo
Photo counters print images on photo paper in set sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 and larger. That's great for:
A welcome sign saved as an 8×10 image.
Invitations or thank-you cards as 5×7 photo prints.
Photo-based décor like a picture banner.
But favor boxes, toppers and labels come as Letter or A4 templates that must print at an exact size. A Letter page (8.5 × 11 in) doesn't match any photo size, so a kiosk will crop it or resize it to fit, and the box won't close. Glossy photo paper also cracks when folded. For templates, go to a copy center or print at home.
Should you print a Letter or A4 file?
In the US, choose Letter if the shop offers both versions. If you only have an A4 file, ask them to print it on Letter at 100%. A4 is slightly narrower and taller than Letter (210 × 297 mm vs. 216 × 279 mm), so check that nothing sits close to the bottom edge.
Rather skip printing altogether?
Some of Partoon's best-selling sets are also sold printed and shipped from Portugal by registered mail with tracking. The product page shows whether a set is available printed and whether it ships to your country.
And when your sheets are ready, our step-by-step guide on How to Make a Favor Box at Home: Print, Cut and Fold covers cutting, scoring and folding.
FAQ
Can I bring my own cardstock to a copy shop?
Some stores allow it and some don't, because the paper has to suit their machines. Ask first, and bring the pack so they can check the weight.
Why did my favor box come out smaller at the copy shop?
It was printed with "fit to page" or a similar setting that shrinks the page. Ask for a reprint at 100% or actual size, and measure the test sheet before the batch.
Is it cheaper to print at home or at a copy shop?
It depends on your printer, your ink and how many sheets you need. For a handful of sheets, home is usually simpler. For a big batch or heavy cardstock, get a quote per sheet and compare.
Shop this post
Printable favor box template, Letter and A4
Printable cupcake toppers sheet, hot air balloon theme
Printable welcome sign for birthday, 8x10 and Letter
Printable food tent cards and labels set
See all ready-to-print sets in Party Kits.
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