How to Print Your Book at a Copy Shop

Copy shops print on letter-size paper, often the same day. Bring the home & screen PDF, ask for color on heavy paper, and have the pages trimmed to 8.5 × 8.5 in.

File to use
Home & screen PDF
You get
Stapled or spiral-bound book
Good for
A same-day book for a birthday tomorrow

Step by step

  1. 1

    Download the home & screen PDF from your book page.

  2. 2

    Upload it to the shop’s online print service, or bring it on a USB stick or by email.

  3. 3

    Ask for color printing at actual size (100%), one page per sheet, on heavy paper: about 32 lb / 120 gsm for the pages and cardstock for the cover.

  4. 4

    Ask the counter to trim each sheet to 8.5 × 8.5 in. Many shops have a paper cutter, so check when you order.

  5. 5

    Have it stapled, spiral-bound or comb-bound, or bind it yourself.

Good to know

  • The print-shop PDF has bleed and its pages are 8.75 in wide, which doesn’t fit letter paper. Use the home & screen PDF at a copy shop.
  • Staples offers same-day printing on many orders placed by midday; FedEx Office often has orders ready the same day. Check your local store.
  • We couldn’t confirm that any of these shops offers a square booklet size, so plan on letter paper trimmed to square.

Checked November 2026.

Other ways to print