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Staples lets you print documents at their store and mail them yourself at a USPS counter (which is often inside the same store). PrintByPost prints, packages, and mails everything from one online order. Both work — they're built for different situations.
A single-page B&W letter: Staples runs ~$0.30 for the print plus ~$0.73 USPS First-Class postage, totaling ~$1.03 — about $2 cheaper than PrintByPost. But that ignores the cost of your time: a 30-minute round trip at any reasonable hourly value already makes PrintByPost cheaper. The math flips for multi-page color documents where Staples' per-page color charges add up fast.
PrintByPost wins when your time is worth more than $2, when you don't want to drive anywhere, when you're traveling and don't have access to a printer, or when you're mailing something outside Staples' hours. It's also more reliable for international addresses — Staples staff don't always know intl postage rules.
Staples wins when you live within walking distance, want the physical copy in hand today (e.g. to proofread before mailing), or need to combine the errand with other shopping. It's also useful if you need on-the-spot notarization (Staples carries notary services at some locations).
Comparison verified June 2026. Competitor pricing and features may have changed since publication — check their site for the latest before deciding. Visit Staples →