By Michael Chen · Published May 2, 2026 · Updated April 10, 2026 · 8 min read
Quick answer: Yes, Staples faxes documents. Local faxes cost $1.79 for the first page, $1.59 per additional page. The service is self-service at the Copy & Print center. For a faster, cheaper option, use mFax.to — fax from your phone in under 2 minutes, no store trip required.
Need to fax something and wondering if Staples is worth the trip? With roughly 1,000 U.S. locations, Staples is one of the most accessible retail fax options in the country. But per-page pricing adds up fast — and the total cost after gas and parking is often higher than people expect.
This guide covers the 2026 Staples fax pricing, exactly how the process works, what you can and can't do there, and how it stacks up against faxing from your phone.
Staples Fax Pricing (2026)
Staples charges per page, with rates that vary based on whether the fax is local, national (long distance), or international. There's no flat fee — you pay for every page transmitted.
| Fax Type | First Page | Each Additional Page |
|---|---|---|
| Local | $1.79 | $1.59 |
| National (Long Distance) | $2.39 | $2.19 |
| International | $5.99 | $3.99 |
| Incoming (receive) | ~$1.00 | ~$1.00 |
Prices vary by location. Always check the rate displayed on the machine before sending — some stores price slightly differently.
Failed faxes still cost money
If the transmission fails due to a busy signal, wrong number, or line error, many machines still charge for the attempt. Double-check the recipient's number digit by digit before hitting Send.
What a Staples fax actually costs
A 10-page national fax runs about $22.12 ($2.39 + 9 × $2.19). Factor in 30–45 minutes of drive time and parking, and a single store trip can easily cost $30+. Use the calculator below to see your specific scenario:
Staples Fax Cost Calculator
How to Fax at Staples: Step-by-Step Process
The self-service fax machines are in the Copy & Print center, usually near the back of the store. Here's the full process:
Locate the Copy & Print center
Head toward the back of any Staples. The Copy & Print center has large Xerox or similar multifunction machines. Look for the self-service kiosks — fax is one option on the main screen. Staff in the area can point you to the right machine.
Select 'Fax' and choose destination type
On the touchscreen, select the fax option and indicate whether you're sending a local, national, or international fax. This selection sets your per-page rate.
Load your document or connect a digital source
You have three options: place paper originals face-up in the document feeder; insert a USB drive or SD card with your files; or connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive directly from the machine's interface.
Enter the fax number
Type the full number on the keypad. For national faxes, include the area code. For international, prefix with the country code (e.g., +44 for the UK). Re-read every digit before proceeding.
Review the cost and pay
The screen shows the estimated charge before you commit. Pay by card (or cash, where accepted). Then press Send.
Collect your confirmation page
The machine prints a transmission report when the fax completes. Keep it — it's your only proof of delivery. If the status reads "ERROR" or "NO ANSWER," the fax did not go through and you'll need to retry.
Tip: Go during off-peak hours — early morning or mid-afternoon — to avoid lines at the machine. Lunch and post-5pm can be crowded.
What Staples Fax Can (and Can't) Do
Staples fax service is reliable for one-off sends when you have a paper original and no other option. It's the right tool for a single contract or medical form — less ideal for anything sensitive or recurring.
Pros
- Walk-in — no account or setup required
- Accepts USB, SD card, and cloud storage (Drive, Dropbox)
- Confirmation page printed on completion
- 1,000+ U.S. locations
- Staff available if you need help
Cons
- Per-page pricing is expensive for multi-page documents
- No inbound fax number — receiving requires advance coordination
- Public environment — limited privacy for sensitive documents
- Faxing fails still charge a fee in some locations
- International fax not available at all stores
Receiving faxes at Staples
Staples can receive faxes, but it requires a phone call first. Contact your local store, get their fax number, and give it to the sender. When the fax arrives, staff print it and hold it for you — you pay about $1.00 per received page when you pick up.
This is slower and less private than having a dedicated inbound number. If you regularly receive faxes, an online service like mFax.to assigns you a permanent fax number so incoming documents arrive directly in your account.
Privacy Risks of In-Store Faxing
Faxing at any retail location carries privacy tradeoffs worth knowing:
- Shared public machines — other customers and staff can see what you're scanning
- Forgotten originals — leaving a medical record, contract, or tax document on the glass is the most common retail fax mistake
- Unencrypted transmission — standard PSTN fax is not encrypted in transit
Sensitive documents: use a private service
If you're sending protected health information (PHI), legal contracts, or financial records, a public retail machine is not the right tool. A HIPAA-compliant fax service with encrypted transmission and an audit log is safer for anything confidential.
Staples vs. Faxing From Your Phone
Skip the drive entirely. mFax.to lets you send a fax from your iPhone or Android in under two minutes — from anywhere.
| Staples In-Store | mFax.to | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1.79–$5.99 / page | From $6.99/week unlimited |
| Where | Drive to the store | Phone or browser, anywhere |
| Time | 30–60 min round trip | ~2 minutes |
| Privacy | Public environment | Private, encrypted |
| Inbound fax number | Not available (call store) | Yes — dedicated number |
| Delivery confirmation | Paper receipt | Digital + email |
| Cloud documents | Google Drive, Dropbox | Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud |
| Failed fax charge | Sometimes yes | No |
For anyone sending more than 5–10 pages per month, a weekly or monthly mFax plan costs less than a single Staples trip.
How to send a fax with mFax
- Download the mFax app (iOS or Android) or open mFax.to in your browser
- Upload a PDF from your phone, Google Drive, or iCloud — or use the built-in camera scanner
- Enter the recipient's full fax number
- Hit Send — you'll receive a digital confirmation when the fax is delivered
Add a fax cover sheet with your name, the recipient, date, and page count before sending.
When Staples Faxing Is the Right Choice
Despite the cost, there are scenarios where heading to Staples makes sense:
- You only have a paper original and no scanner or printer at home
- One-time send — no subscription needed, just pay per page
- You want in-person help if you're unfamiliar with the process
- No internet access and you can't use an online service
For everything else — multi-page documents, sensitive materials, recurring faxing, or any situation where time matters — mFax.to is faster and cheaper.
How Staples Compares to Other Retail Fax Locations
Staples is one of three major retail chains that reliably offer faxing. Here's how the pricing stacks up:
| Store | Local (1st page) | Additional pages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staples | $1.79 | $1.59 | Self-service kiosks, cloud storage |
| FedEx Office | ~$1.89 | ~$1.59 | Self-service; prices vary by store |
| UPS Store | ~$2.00 | ~$1.50 | Staff-assisted at most locations |
| CVS | — | — | Does not offer fax service |
| Walgreens | — | — | Does not offer fax service |
| USPS | — | — | Does not offer public fax service |
More detail in our fax near me guide or individual location guides:
Before You Go: Document Preparation Tips
A well-prepared document sends cleanly and avoids costly retransmits:
- Use PDF format for multi-page documents — preserves layout, universally compatible
- Black and white is fine — fax converts color to grayscale anyway
- Keep margins clear — text or signatures near the edge can get cut off
- Add a cover page — include your name, recipient, date, and page count. Generate one free at our fax cover sheet generator
- Triple-check the fax number — wrong digits mean a failed send and a lost payment
Send Your Fax Now
Open the mFax app or visit mFax.to — upload your document, enter the recipient's fax number, and send. Digital confirmation arrives instantly. No store trip, no gas, no forgotten originals on the scanner glass.