Staples vs UPrinting Compared, and the Alternative That Beats Both
Staples wins on walk-in convenience and same-day pickup, and UPrinting wins on online value and a wider print range. Neither wins on both. 4OVER4.COM covers both strengths in one place, with 1,000+ products, same-day options on select items, and a 110% price match on any verified quote.
Head to head
Staples and UPrinting, feature by feature
| Feature |  Staples |  UPrinting |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Retail pricing, you pay for the walk-in convenience | Mid-range online pricing, better value on real marketing runs |
| Product range | Print and copy counter plus office supplies | A solid online catalog of cards, flyers, signs, and stickers |
| Paper and finish range | A short menu of standard stocks at the counter | A wider stock list than a retail counter, with common coatings |
| Minimums | Very low, single copies possible in store | Low minimums with online quantity pricing |
| Shipping | Same-day pickup at local stores | Standard turnaround with paid rush options |
| Design tools | Basic templates in store and online | Online templates plus an upload and proofing workflow |
| Support | In-person help at the counter, quality varies by store | Online and phone support from a print-focused team |
These two serve different jobs. Staples was built for the errand run, where you need something printed today and a store is ten minutes away. UPrinting was built for online marketing orders, where a few days of turnaround buys better pricing and more options than a retail counter. The table above sticks to what each company is known for, so you can match the printer to the job in front of you.
Where each one wins
A fair read on both printers
Where Staples wins
Staples wins whenever the deadline is today. A nationwide store network means you upload in the morning and walk out with documents, flyers, or a poster the same day, and there is real reassurance in dealing with a human at the desk when a job is urgent. For single prints, presentation materials, and eleventh-hour office needs, the retail counter is the convenient answer.
Where UPrinting wins
UPrinting wins once quantity enters the picture. As an online printer it runs marketing orders on commercial presses, so per-piece pricing on business cards, flyers, and signage comes in below retail counter rates, and the stock list goes further than what a store kiosk offers. If you can wait a few days for delivery, the value is clearly better than paying retail for every piece.
The third option
4OVER4.COM against both, side by side
| Feature | Staples | UPrinting |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product catalog | Print counter basics plus office supplies | A solid online print catalog | 1,000+ printing products |
| Paper stocks and finishes | A short standard menu | Standard stocks plus common coatings | 60+ stocks and finishes, up to 32pt |
| Price match | No | No | Yes, 110% price match |
| Loyalty rewards | Store rewards on supplies | No | Coins earned on every order |
| Free proof | Not standard | Not standard | Free proof on every order |
| Same-day options | Yes, in-store pickup | No | Yes, order by 12pm ET |
| Non-profit discount | No | No | 25% OFF for life |
The Staples vs UPrinting question is really convenience against value, and 4OVER4.COM gives you both. Since 1999 it has served 150,000+ businesses on 60+ stocks and finishes across a 1,000+ product catalog, at online pricing that the 110% price-match guarantee protects by matching any verified quote and beating it by an extra 10%. Loyalty Coins land on every order, each one ships with a free pre-press proof, and non-profits keep 25% off for life. Need it quickly? Same-day options cover select products for orders placed by 12pm ET, alongside a 99.8% on-time delivery rate.
Make the switch
Popular products to switch to 4OVER4.COM
Explore more from 4OVER4.COM
Keep comparing across the catalog
Get Started
Ready to skip the trade-off?
Get online pricing with same-day options when you need them, a free proof on every order, and a 110% price match on any verified quote.
Legal Disclaimer
Gold Standard guarantees apply to all standard orders placed through 4over4.com. Price match requires verifiable proof of a competitor's published price for an equivalent product with matching specifications and turnaround time. Satisfaction guarantee covers manufacturing defects and print quality issues. Contact support with order number and documentation. On-time delivery rate based on tracked orders 1999 to 2026. Individual results may vary based on shipping carrier performance.
Straight answers
Common Questions
Pricing, speed, paper and product range, answered straight. Browse every printing question on our FAQs hub.
Is UPrinting better than Staples for printing?
It depends on the job. Staples wins when you need something printed today and a store is nearby, since same-day pickup is its core strength. UPrinting wins on marketing runs, where online pricing, a wider stock list, and a proofing workflow give you more print for the money. For a single rushed document, use the counter. For 500 flyers, order online.
Is Staples printing expensive?
It is priced like a retail service, so you pay a premium for the convenience of walking in and walking out the same day. For one-off copies and small urgent jobs that premium is fair. For volume marketing prints, online printers like UPrinting and 4OVER4.COM come in noticeably lower per piece.
Is there a cheaper alternative to both Staples and UPrinting?
Yes. 4OVER4.COM prints at online rates and backs them with a written promise to beat any verified competitor quote by an extra 10%. You also earn loyalty Coins on every order and non-profits get 25% off for life. Compare the Staples alternative and the UPrinting alternative breakdowns for the details.
Who prints better business cards, Staples or UPrinting?
UPrinting, in most cases. An online printer runs cards on commercial presses with more stock choices than a retail counter can offer. 4OVER4.COM goes a step further with premium 16pt cards that include free UV coating at a lower per-card price, plus upgrades like Silk Laminated and Ultra Thick 32pt when you want a card that stands out.
Can I get same-day printing without using Staples?
Yes. 4OVER4.COM offers same-day options on select products when you order by 12pm ET, backed by a 99.8% on-time delivery rate. That covers the urgent jobs that used to force a trip to the store, without giving up commercial print quality or online pricing.
Where should I print posters and banners?
Staples handles a quick single poster fine, and UPrinting covers standard signage online. For anything customer-facing, 4OVER4.COM prints large-format posters with photo quality on premium paper and 13oz scrim vinyl banners with free grommets and same-day options, so the finished piece looks as good as the file.
