FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers—historically known as FedEx Kinko's—provide a comprehensive suite of commercial printing, document production, packing, and shipping services. Whether you need urgent presentation bound, architectural blueprints plotted, passport photos taken, or a complex freight shipment packed securely, these retail locations act as a decentralized workspace for remote workers, small businesses, and enterprise consumers alike. Understanding how the network operates, what services are available on-site, and how to utilize their digital submission portals ensures that your projects are completed accurately, efficiently, and within your project deadlines.
Evolution and Identity: Understanding the FedEx Kinko's Legacy
The modern network of FedEx Office locations traces its roots back to 1970, when Paul Orfalea founded the original Kinko's near the University of California, Santa Barbara. Named affectionately for his curly hair, Kinko's grew from a single storefront selling stationery and providing coin-operated photocopying into a national phenomenon. The business model revolutionized the white-collar and student workflow by offering extended or round-the-clock operating hours, self-service copiers, and accessible fax machines.
In 2004, FedEx Corporation acquired Kinko's, integrating the retail storefronts directly into its burgeoning logistics empire. Initially branded as FedEx Kinko's, the company dropped the Kinko's name in 2008 to rebrand the division fully as FedEx Office. Despite the corporate rebranding and the evolution away from open-all-night access at many locations, the colloquial use of "Kinko's" remains deeply embedded in the public lexicon. Customers still routinely refer to these hubs when seeking walk-in document finishing, computer workstation rentals, and localized print production.
Today, FedEx Office operates as a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, bridging the gap between digital document creation and physical transportation. While traditional shipping counters focus solely on dropping off pre-labeled boxes, FedEx Office locations are engineered as full-service production environments where digital files are transformed into bound books, marketing collateral, large-format displays, and promotional items before being handed off to the global FedEx delivery network.
Core Print and Document Production Services
The primary differentiator between a standard FedEx Express drop-off box and a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center is the breadth of production capabilities available on-site. Customers can walk in with a thumb drive, access cloud storage, or upload files remotely to execute a wide variety of commercial printing jobs.
Document Printing and Copying
High-speed digital presses dominate the production floor at most locations. Customers can produce standard black-and-white or full-color documents on a diverse array of paper stocks. Standard options range from lightweight 20 lb. bond paper to heavy 110 lb. cardstock, with various gloss, matte, and textured finishes available. Production managers can handle high-volume copying for corporate meetings, training manuals, and legal briefs with rapid turnaround times.
Document Finishing and Binding
Raw printed pages often require professional finishing to be presentation-ready. FedEx Office facilities maintain commercial-grade finishing equipment to bind and protect documents. Available binding styles include:
- Coil Binding (Spiral): Uses a continuous plastic or metal coil threaded through punched holes, allowing the document to lie flat or fold back 360 degrees. Ideal for workbooks and manuals.
- Comb Binding: Employs a plastic spine with rings that can be opened to add or remove pages later.
- Wire-O Binding: Utilizes double-loop metal wire for a sleek, professional corporate look.
- Tape Binding and Perfect Binding: Creates a square, book-like spine suitable for reports, portfolios, and self-published paperbacks.
- VeloBind: Uses a rigid plastic strip fused together with heat, creating a secure, permanent legal-style binding.
Additional finishing services include three-hole punching, cutting, folding (trifold, z-fold, half-fold), laminating (glossy or matte pouches up to large format), and padding (turning loose sheets into notepads with adhesive binding).
Large-Format Printing and Signage
Beyond standard office paper, FedEx Office centers are equipped to produce large-format engineering drawings, architectural blueprints, and oversized visual graphics. Plotters and flatbed printers handle heavy media such as foam board mounting, gator board, corrugated plastic yard signs, vinyl banners with grommets, pull-up retractable trade show banners, and adhesive window decals. These products are heavily utilized by real estate agents, event planners, and local retail businesses requiring immediate local marketing materials.
Shipping, Packing, and Logistics Capabilities
Because these centers are physical extensions of the FedEx network, they provide end-to-end shipping solutions alongside their print capabilities. Customers do not need to bring pre-packaged items; retail staff can evaluate items and manage the packing process from scratch.
Professional Packing Services
FedEx Office locations stock a vast inventory of corrugated shipping boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam pouches, and heavy-duty tape. Under the Pack & Ship Guarantee, if an item is packed by a FedEx Office team member using new materials purchased at that location, and it sustains damage during transit, FedEx covers the cost of the item (up to declared value limits) and the shipping charges. This service is particularly valuable for fragile heirlooms, electronics, artwork, and awkwardly shaped items.
Shipping Services and Delivery Speeds
Customers can dispatch packages through the full suite of FedEx domestic and international shipping tiers:
- FedEx Ground / Home Delivery: Cost-effective ground transportation for residential and commercial destinations within North America, typically arriving in 1 to 5 business days.
- FedEx Express Saver: Three-business-day service for time-sensitive domestic shipments.
- FedEx 2Day / 2Day A.M.: Guaranteed delivery by the second business day afternoon or morning.
- FedEx Priority Overnight / Standard Overnight: Next-business-day delivery options for urgent documents and parcels.
- FedEx International Priority / Economy: Global shipping services to over 220 countries and territories with customs clearance assistance.
Drop-offs for pre-labeled packages, mobile barcode returns (where customers show a QR code on their smartphone for staff to scan and print the label), and holding packages for secure pickup are also standard daily operations.
Digital Workstations, Self-Service, and Business Solutions
For individuals working remotely, traveling, or lacking dedicated office infrastructure, FedEx Office serves as a localized business center equipped with public amenities.
Computer and Internet Access
Most stores feature a bank of rental computer workstations equipped with standard productivity suites (such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat) and high-speed internet access. Customers can log in to check email, access cloud storage platforms (Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive), edit documents, and print directly to the central production printers. Time spent on computers is typically billed by the minute or hour.
Passport Photos and Identity Services
FedEx Office locations are authorized providers of official passport photo services. Staff members take compliant color photographs adhering strictly to U.S. Department of State regulations (or international equivalents) regarding size, background, lighting, and facial expression, printing a set of two photos within minutes.
Faxing, Scanning, and Notary Public Services
Traditional communication utilities remain active. Self-service and staff-assisted fax machines allow for local, long-distance, and international transmissions with printed confirmation receipts. High-resolution document scanners permit users to digitize paper files and transmit them via email or save them to a USB flash drive. Additionally, many locations maintain state-commissioned Notary Public personnel on staff to authenticate signatures on legal documents, affidavits, and financial agreements (availability varies by location, so scheduling or calling ahead is recommended).
Comparing FedEx Office and Standard Shipping Drop-Offs
To determine whether a full-service center is necessary for your task, it is helpful to compare the capabilities of a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center against standard retail drop-off points, such as authorized ship centers or retail partner counters.
| Feature / Service | FedEx Office Print & Ship Center | Standard FedEx Drop Box / Retail Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Full-service printing, packing, shipping, and digital business services | Simple package drop-off and basic shipping label creation |
| Document Printing | High-volume color/B&W printing, blueprint plotting, and large-format signs | None |
| Document Finishing | Professional binding, laminating, cutting, and folding | None |
| Packing Assistance | Full Pack & Ship service with expert staff and specialized boxes | Self-service drop-off (packages must be fully sealed and labeled) |
| Computer/Internet Access | Public workstations with internet and printing capabilities | None |
| Passport Photos | On-site photo capture meeting strict government standards | None |
| Notary Public | Available at select locations by appointment or walk-in | Rarely available |
| Operating Hours | Typically extended weekday and weekend hours (some 24/7 locations) | Restricted to standard business hours or drop-box collection schedules |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print documents at FedEx Office without using a USB drive?
Yes. You can upload files remotely via the FedEx Office website or mobile app before arriving, or you can log into your personal cloud storage accounts (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box) directly from the self-service computer workstations in-store. You can also email files to a specific store's print email address for staff to process.
How do I use a mobile QR code return at FedEx Office?
When returning an online purchase where the retailer provided a QR code instead of a printable label, bring your item unboxed to a FedEx Office counter. Show the QR code on your smartphone to the team member. They will scan the code, print the appropriate shipping label on the spot, package the item if necessary, and provide you with a tracking receipt.
Do all FedEx Office locations offer Notary Public services?
No. While many locations employ state-certified notaries, availability varies significantly by store, day of the week, and staff shift schedules. It is strongly recommended to call the specific location ahead of time or check their online store profile to confirm a notary is on duty before visiting.
What is the FedEx Pack & Ship Guarantee?
This guarantee applies when you bring your items to a FedEx Office center and pay staff to pack them using brand-new materials purchased at that store. If the item is damaged or lost during transit, FedEx reimburses you for the item's declared value (up to established policy limits) as well as the cost of packaging materials and shipping fees.
Can I print large architectural blueprints or engineering plans?
Yes. FedEx Office locations feature wide-format plotters capable of printing blueprints, CAD drawings, and oversized technical schematics in standard architectural and engineering sizes (such as ARCH D, ARCH E, and custom dimensions) on bond paper, vellum, or heavy presentation stock.
Recommendations for Your Next Visit
To ensure a seamless experience when utilizing a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, preparation is key. If you are submitting complex print jobs with specific formatting requirements—such as custom bleed lines, specific paper stocks, or intricate multi-part binding—submit your files online a few hours before you plan to pick them up. This allows production staff to review the file layout for errors and have your materials waiting when you arrive. For packing and shipping tasks, organize your items beforehand, keep fragile components separated, and bring any relevant digital barcodes or tracking documentation ready for scanning.
