The Print Guide

Where to print the program, and what to ask for

One page, everything you need at the counter. Most office stores and local shops can print and fold a short run within the hour — you do not need an appointment, and you do not need to explain the design.

Say this at the counter

“I have a print-ready PDF for a funeral program. It’s a folded booklet, five and a half by eight and a half inches. Please print it double-sided on 65 lb matte cover stock, flipped on the short edge, then scored and folded in half. I need [75] copies.”

That single sentence covers size, paper, double-siding, folding and quantity — the five things they need to know.

The details

Which file do I bring?
Bring the Booklet PDF — 5.5 × 8.5″, or 5 × 7″ if you chose the compact size. The shop imposes and folds it for you. Use the Letter 8.5 × 11″ duplex PDF only if you are printing at home or at a self-service copier — that one is already laid out two panels per sheet, so you just print double-sided and fold.
What paper?
65–80 lb matte cover stock is the standard for programs: substantial in the hand, no glare under church lighting, and it folds cleanly. If you want something lighter and cheaper, 32 lb matte text works well. Avoid glossy — it reflects light and shows fingerprints.
How many copies?
A good rule is one program per expected guest, plus 20%, with a minimum of 50–75. Families almost always wish they had printed more — extra copies are mailed to relatives who couldn’t travel, and kept as keepsakes for years.
What will it cost?
Expect roughly $0.50–$1.50 per program in color, depending on paper and store. Folding is often included; if it’s charged separately it is usually a few cents per piece. A run of 75 typically lands between $45 and $110.
How long does it take?
Most office stores print short runs the same day, often within an hour. Local print shops may ask for a few hours. If the service is tomorrow, call ahead and say it is for a funeral — shops routinely move these to the front of the queue.
Where can I go?
Staples, FedEx Office and Office Depot / OfficeMax all print and fold in-store, and all three accept a PDF by email or on a USB stick. Independent local printers are often cheaper for 100+ copies and will match paper exactly. Your funeral home can usually print them too — ask what they charge before agreeing, as it is often more than an office store.

Printing at home

  1. Use the Letter 8.5 × 11″ duplex PDF, not the booklet file.
  2. Open it in a PDF reader, not in the browser preview, and print from there.
  3. Set scale to Actual size / 100% — never “Fit to page”, which shrinks the design and leaves uneven margins.
  4. Choose double-sided, flip on the short edge. If your printer is single-sided, print the odd pages, then re-feed the stack and print the even pages.
  5. Print one test copy on plain paper first and fold it, to confirm the pages line up.
  6. Load cardstock a few sheets at a time — most home printers jam on a full stack of heavy stock, and check the maximum paper weight in your printer’s manual.
  7. Fold with a bone folder or the back of a butter knife along a ruler for a crisp edge.

Ready when you are

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