There are plenty of situations where you might need to print a document but do not have access to a home or office printer. Whether it is a travel itinerary, CV, legal form or business presentation, knowing where you can go to print documents is essential. From high street shops to online services and local facilities, this article explores your best options for printing when you are away from your usual setup.
High Street Print and Copy Shops
One of the most reliable places to print documents is a high street print shop. These businesses often offer a wide range of printing services including black and white or colour printing, scanning, photocopying and document binding. Most high street copy shops can handle walk-in requests without an appointment and accept digital files via USB stick, email or online upload.
In the UK, chains like Ryman, Mail Boxes Etc and local print stores are common in town centres. They are ideal for printing important documents quickly especially if you need extras like laminated copies, double-sided prints or binding options for presentations and reports.
Libraries and Community Centres
Many public libraries offer low-cost printing services to members and visitors. While printing hours and facilities vary by location, most libraries provide desktop access where you can log in and print directly from a USB drive or cloud account. You may need to register for a temporary guest pass or library card, so it is a good idea to check with your local branch beforehand.
Community centres and adult education centres may also offer access to printers, especially for students or those attending courses. These services are often subsidised and can be a good choice for personal printing at an affordable price.
University and School Facilities
If you are a student or staff member, educational institutions usually provide access to printers on campus. You may need to log in to a university printing portal or use a student card to release print jobs from networked devices. These systems typically support wireless or email-to-print functions which allow you to send documents from your personal device.
While these facilities are not open to the public, if you are affiliated with the institution they offer a reliable way to print academic materials, essays, coursework or research papers. Some schools also offer basic printing services to parents or external visitors, though this varies.
Printing at Work or Through a Friend
If you need a document printed quickly, one of the simplest solutions is to ask a colleague, friend or neighbour with a printer. In many cases, people are happy to help if you send them the file by email or provide it on a USB stick. This option is especially useful for one-off tasks such as printing boarding passes, tickets or forms.
Some workplaces allow limited personal printing during breaks or with permission, though it is important to check your office policy. Businesses that use managed print services may restrict access to certain types of printing or require login credentials to track usage.
Supermarkets and Post Offices
A growing number of large supermarkets and post offices now include self-service kiosks that allow you to print documents. These are often located near photo printing machines or in-store services and can handle PDF, Word and image files. You can usually upload your file using a USB stick, SD card or cloud service such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
While not every location offers this feature, it is becoming more common especially in larger branches of Tesco, Asda or Co-op. Some post offices also offer print and copy services behind the counter where staff assist you with the task.
Online Printing Services
If you do not need your document immediately, using an online printing service is a convenient option. Websites like Doxdirect, Instantprint and Printed.com allow you to upload files, choose your print settings and have the documents delivered to your home or business address. You can specify paper type, colour options, binding and delivery speed.
Online printing is particularly useful for larger jobs or high-quality prints such as portfolios, manuals or booklets. Although delivery may take a day or two, the cost is often competitive and the convenience of ordering from your computer or phone makes it a practical choice.
Printing from Your Mobile Device
If you find yourself needing to print directly from your phone or tablet, many of the options above support mobile printing. Libraries, print shops and even some kiosks accept email-to-print services or let you access your files from cloud storage apps. If you are printing from an email or messaging app, download the document to your device before uploading it to the printer interface.
Before you visit a location, check which file formats are supported. PDF is the most universally accepted, followed by Word documents and image files like JPG or PNG. It is a good idea to have your document ready in multiple formats just in case.
What to Bring with You
Wherever you choose to print, make sure you bring the document in a compatible format and on a suitable storage device. USB sticks are the most widely accepted but many locations also support email uploads or cloud-based services. Bring photo ID if required for access and some change or a payment card to cover the cost.
Always preview your document before printing to ensure the formatting appears as expected. This is especially important for double-sided documents or files with colour charts, images or custom fonts.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are printing a last-minute ticket or preparing an important report, there are plenty of places to print documents outside your home or office. From high street copy shops to libraries, online services and mobile-friendly kiosks, each option has its own advantages depending on your needs. The key is to plan ahead, know your file format and choose the location that best suits the urgency and quality required.