By David Thompson · Published June 30, 2025 · Updated March 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Quick Answer: Yes, you can fax at Staples. Most locations have self-service machines at the Copy & Print center. Local faxes cost $1.79 for the first page and $1.59 for each additional page. For a faster, cheaper option skip the trip and use mFax.to from your phone.
Need to send a fax and wondering if Staples is worth the trip? With over 1,000 U.S. locations, Staples is one of the most accessible places to fax in person. But before you grab your keys, it pays to know the real costs, what to expect at the machine, and whether the drive is actually worth it.
This guide covers everything: current 2026 Staples fax pricing, step-by-step instructions, what documents you can send, and a comparison with faster online alternatives.
Staples Fax at a Glance
Where: Copy & Print center in most Staples locations. Cost: $1.79–$5.99 per page depending on destination. Hours: Typically Mon–Fri 8am–9pm, weekends vary. Receiving: Not available in-store — you need an online service.
Which Stores Offer In-Store Fax Service?
Not every retail chain offers faxing. Here's a quick rundown of who does and who doesn't:
Staples, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store are the three major chains that reliably offer fax service. CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and the post office do not provide public fax access.
Staples Fax Pricing (2026)
Staples charges per page and the price depends on the destination — local, national (long distance), or international. There is no monthly fee; you pay per transmission.
| Fax Type | First Page | Each Additional Page |
|---|---|---|
| Local | $1.79 | $1.59 |
| National (Long Distance) | $2.39 | $2.19 |
| International | $5.99 | $3.99 |
| Receiving | ~$1.00 | ~$1.00 |
Prices vary slightly by location and are subject to change. Always confirm the rate at the register or on the machine's screen before sending.
Watch Out: Failed Faxes Still Cost Money
If the transmission fails — busy signal, wrong number, or line error — Staples machines still charge for the attempt. Double-check the recipient's number before hitting Send.
The Real Cost of a Staples Trip
A 10-page national fax runs approximately $22.12 at Staples ($2.39 + 9 × $2.19). Add gas, parking, and 30–45 minutes of your time, and the total cost easily exceeds $30. Use the calculator below to see what your specific fax would cost:
Staples Fax Cost Calculator
How to Fax at Staples: Step-by-Step
The self-service fax machines are located in the Copy & Print section of the store. Here's exactly what to do:
Find the Copy & Print center
Head to the back of the store and look for the self-service area with large Xerox multifunction machines. Signs will point you to the Copy & Print department. If you can't find it, ask any associate.
Select 'Fax' on the touchscreen
Tap the fax option on the machine's main screen. It will ask you whether you want to send a local, national, or international fax — this selection determines your per-page rate.
Load your document or connect your source
Place paper originals face-up in the document feeder, or insert a USB drive / SD card with your files. Many machines also let you connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to pull digital files directly.
Enter the recipient's fax number
Type the full fax number on the keypad. For domestic long-distance, include the area code. For international, add the country code (e.g., +44 for the UK). Triple-check the number — a wrong digit means a failed transmission and a lost payment.
Authorize payment and send
The machine will display the estimated cost before sending. Swipe your card or pay cash (availability varies) to authorize. Then press Send.
Take your confirmation receipt
The machine prints a transmission confirmation page when the fax goes through. Keep this. It's your only proof that the fax was sent. If the status shows "ERROR" or "NO ANSWER," you'll need to try again (and you may still be charged).
Tip: Send during off-peak hours (early morning or mid-afternoon) to avoid lines at the machine. Lunch hours and after 5pm can get busy.
What You Can Send
Staples fax machines handle most standard document types:
- Paper originals — contracts, forms, medical records, legal documents
- PDF files via USB drive, SD card, or cloud storage
- Photos and images (scanned to fax automatically)
- Multi-page documents — up to the machine's maximum queue length
The machines scan at standard fax resolution (200 DPI). For best results, use clean, high-contrast documents. Handwritten notes or faded printouts may not transmit clearly.
Privacy Risks of In-Store Faxing
Faxing sensitive documents at Staples carries some privacy risks that are easy to overlook:
- Public environment — other customers standing nearby can see what you're scanning
- Forgotten originals — leaving your birth certificate, medical record, or contract on the glass is one of the most common fax mistakes in retail stores
- No encrypted transmission — standard fax over PSTN is not encrypted in transit
HIPAA Users: Proceed with Caution
If you're sending protected health information (PHI) or legally sensitive documents, an open retail fax machine is not the right tool. Use a HIPAA-compliant fax service with audit logs and encrypted transmission instead.
The Fastest Alternative: mFax Mobile App
Skip the drive entirely. mFax.to lets you send a fax from any iOS or Android device in under two minutes — from wherever you are.
Install the mFax app
Download the mFax app for iOS or Android, or open mFax.to in your browser. Create a free account — takes 30 seconds.
Add your document
Import a PDF from your phone's Files, Google Drive, or iCloud. Or use the built-in document scanner to photograph paper pages — mFax automatically optimizes them for clean fax output.
Enter the recipient's fax number
Type the full number in international format (e.g., +1 555 123 4567 for U.S.). You can add a cover page with a subject line and message.
Send and track delivery
Hit Send Fax. mFax shows real-time delivery status and emails you a transmission confirmation. No receipt to lose — it's in your account history.
| Feature | Staples In-Store | mFax.to Online |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1.79–$5.99 / page | Plans start at $6.99/week |
| Convenience | Drive + wait in store | Send from phone in 2 min |
| Privacy | Public environment | Private, encrypted |
| Receiving faxes | Not available | Yes — dedicated number |
| Confirmation | Paper receipt only | Digital + email |
| Cloud document support | Limited | Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. |
For anyone sending more than a few pages per month, a weekly or monthly mFax plan is cheaper than a single Staples trip.
When Staples Faxing Makes Sense
To be fair, there are situations where heading to Staples is the right call:
- You have no printer at home and only have a paper original
- You need one-time, no-subscription faxing for a single document
- You want in-person assistance — store associates can help if you're unfamiliar with fax machines
- Your internet is down and you can't access an online service
For everything else — recurring faxes, sensitive documents, or any fax over 5 pages — online faxing wins on both cost and convenience.
Prepare Your Document for the Best Results
Whether you're using Staples or mFax, a well-prepared document sends cleanly on the first try:
- Use PDF format for multi-page documents — it preserves layout and is universally compatible
- Black and white is best — color faxes convert to grayscale anyway; sending in B&W reduces file size and retry rate
- Keep margins visible — signatures and text near the edge can get cut off on some machines
- Add a cover page — include sender name, recipient name, date, and page count. Use our free fax cover sheet generator to create one instantly
- Double-check the number — re-read it digit by digit before sending
Compare Other Retail Fax Locations
Looking for other faxing options near you? Here's how Staples compares to the alternatives:
- Fax at FedEx Office — similar pricing, slightly more locations in urban areas
- Fax at The UPS Store — per-page rates around $1.89–$2.49, widespread availability
- Fax at CVS — CVS does not offer fax service
- Can You Fax at Walgreens? — Walgreens does not offer fax service
- Fax at the Post Office (USPS) — USPS does not offer public fax service
All retail fax options involve per-page fees and travel time. For regular faxing, an online service like mFax.to pays for itself after just a couple of trips.
Get Started with mFax
Open the mFax app or visit mFax.to, upload your document, enter the recipient's fax number, and send. You'll get a digital confirmation instantly — no driving, no waiting, no forgotten originals on the scanner glass.