Everything You Need to Know About Printing Your Resume
In an increasingly digital world, there are still many situations where you need a physical copy of your resume: in-person interviews, job fairs, networking events, and career expos. Here's everything you need to know about printing your resume professionally.
When You Need a Printed Resume
- In-person interviews: Always bring 3-5 copies
- Job fairs and career expos: Bring 15-25 copies
- Networking events: Bring 5-10 copies
- Walk-in applications: Bring 2-3 copies
- Staffing agency visits: Bring 3-5 copies
Where to Print Your Resume
FedEx Office (Formerly Kinko's)
Cost: $0.49-$1.49 per page Quality: Excellent Best For: Professional-quality prints on premium paper
FedEx Office is the gold standard for resume printing. They offer multiple paper weights, color matching, and professional binding services. Use their online upload tool to save time.
UPS Store
Cost: $0.49-$1.00 per page Quality: Very Good Best For: Quick turnaround with good quality
Available nationwide with consistent quality. Call ahead to confirm they have resume-quality paper in stock.
Staples / Office Depot
Cost: $0.15-$0.79 per page Quality: Good to Very Good Best For: Self-service value printing
The best value option for quality printing. Buy their 32 lb cotton resume paper and use the self-service printers for optimal cost-per-page.
Public Library
Cost: Free - $0.15 per page Quality: Basic Best For: Draft copies and budget-conscious printing
Most libraries offer free or very cheap printing, but paper quality is basic. Good for draft reviews, not for final interview copies.
Best Resume Paper
| Paper Type | Weight | Feel | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | Standard Copy | 20 lb | Thin, flimsy | Drafts only | | Bright White | 24 lb | Slightly better | Acceptable | | Resume Paper | 32 lb Cotton | Professional, textured | Interviews | | Linen Resume | 32 lb Linen | Elegant texture | Executive roles |
Our recommendation: 32 lb cotton resume paper in bright white. Brands like Southworth and Crane & Co. are the gold standard.
Color vs. Black & White
- Black & white: Standard for most industries. Clean, professional, always appropriate.
- Color: Only if your resume has subtle design elements AND you're in a creative field. Never use color for federal or traditional corporate applications.
Pro Tips for Perfect Prints
- Print a test copy on standard paper first to check alignment
- Use PDF format to preserve formatting across printers
- Set print quality to "Best" or "High Quality" in printer settings
- Check margins — some printers cut off edges
- Bring your own paper to print shops for the best quality control
- Print extras — always bring more copies than you think you'll need
Storing Printed Resumes
- Use a portfolio folder or padfolio to keep resumes crisp
- Never fold your resume
- Store in a dry place away from sunlight
- Replace printed copies if they develop creases or marks
Need a resume worth printing? Our Executive Resume Template is designed with premium printing in mind — clean typography and elegant layout that looks stunning on quality paper.