Orders placed by 11:00 AM MST Monday-Friday ship the same day!
(801) 491-6931 / [email protected]
How to Order Color Copies: Sizes, Paper, and Finishing
Most color copy orders come down to four decisions: what size, one side or two, which paper, and whether it needs any finishing. This page explains each one so you can send us a clear order — or know what to ask when you request a quote.
If you already know what you need, skip ahead and upload your file. Current pricing for every quantity is on our pricing page.
Choosing a Size
Four sizes cover nearly everything we print. The finished size is what you should tell us — we'll handle how it's imposed on the press.
| Size | Dimensions | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8½″ × 11″ | Handouts, packets, presentations, forms, flyers, church programs, price sheets. The default for most orders. |
| Legal | 8½″ × 14″ | Contracts, longer forms, spreadsheets and schedules that don't fit letter without shrinking the type. |
| Tabloid | 11″ × 17″ | Menus, large charts, event schedules, and anything folded down to letter size to make a four-page piece. |
| 12 × 18 | 12″ × 18″ | Oversized posters and signs, or letter-size pieces that need full bleed with room to trim. |
One Side or Two
Double-sided printing costs more per sheet than single-sided, but less than printing two separate sheets — and it halves the weight, which matters if you're mailing what we print.
Print single-sided when…
The piece is a one-page handout, a flyer meant to be posted or laid flat, or anything that will be written on. It's also the cheaper option when your content genuinely fits on one side.
Print double-sided when…
You have a front and a back — menu and prices, event details and a map, program and schedule. Also whenever you're mailing, since it cuts postage weight.
Choosing Paper
Our standard stock is 98-brightness 24lb and 28lb Hammermill Premium Laser Print, included in every order. It's a bright, clean sheet that handles full-color printing well and suits the large majority of jobs. Upgrades are worth it in specific situations rather than as a default.
| Stock | What it's like | Worth it for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 24lb / 28lb | Bright white, smooth, ordinary paper weight | Handouts, packets, forms, newsletters, church and school printing — most orders |
| 80# Gloss Text | Still paper weight, but with a sheen | Photo-heavy flyers and brochures where you want colors to look richer |
| 80# Matte Cover | Cardstock. Rigid, non-reflective | Menus, price sheets, anything handled repeatedly or that needs to stand up |
| 100# Matte Cover | Heavier cardstock, noticeably substantial | Presentation covers, premium menus, pieces where the feel is part of the impression |
| 80# / 100# Gloss Cover | Cardstock with a glossy coated surface | Photo-forward pieces on card — postcards, promotional handouts, product sheets |
| Label Stock | Adhesive-backed | Labels and stickers. Priced per job — ask for a quote |
Finishing Options
Anything beyond a flat printed sheet is finishing. Most orders don't need any — but when they do, it's worth having us do it rather than trying to trim or fold a few hundred pieces by hand.
- Cutting — trimming to a finished size smaller than the press sheet, or cutting one sheet into multiples
- Folding — half fold, letter fold, or z-fold for brochures, menus, and mailers
- Saddle-stitching — folded and stapled through the spine, for booklets and programs up to a moderate page count
- Comb binding — plastic comb through punched holes, for manuals and training packets that need to lie flat
- Stapling — corner or edge, for multi-page handouts and packets
Current finishing rates are listed alongside our color copy pricing.
Getting Your File Right
Most reprints come from file problems, not printing problems — and nearly all of them are avoidable.
Send a PDF where you can
PDF preserves your fonts, layout, and image quality. JPG and PNG work for image-based pieces. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files can be printed but may reflow depending on the fonts installed on our end — export to PDF first if you're able.
Check your image resolution
Images that look sharp on screen are often too low-resolution for print. Photos pulled from a website, a phone screenshot, or a shared album are the usual culprits. Aim for 300 DPI at the size the image will actually print.
Include bleed if color runs to the edge
If a photo or background reaches the edge of the page, extend it about an eighth of an inch past the trim line. Without that margin, small shifts during cutting leave thin white slivers along the edge.
Keep important content away from the trim
Names, dates, phone numbers, and addresses sitting close to the edge can end up clipped or visibly off-center. Leave a quarter inch of breathing room inside the trim line.
Send Us the Details
Include the file, quantity, finished size, single or double sided, paper preference, any finishing, and your deadline. The more of that you can tell us up front, the faster we can price it accurately.
Orders placed and paid by 11:00 AM Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, ship the same day. Questions before you order? Call or text (801) 491-6931.
Looking for pricing? See color copy rates for every quantity.
Affordable Color Copies Without Confusing Pricing
My Color Copies helps businesses, churches, schools, nonprofits, families, and local organizations print affordable color copies with clear quantity pricing, useful paper options, and finishing services when needed.
Everyday Color Copies
Print handouts, forms, letters, packets, presentations, reports, inserts, and general business or personal documents.
Business and Marketing Pieces
Use color copies for flyers, sales sheets, price lists, product sheets, customer handouts, and promotional inserts.
Church, School, and Group Printing
Print lessons, newsletters, announcements, event handouts, classroom materials, activity sheets, and organization packets.
What to Know Before Ordering Color Copies
The fastest way to get accurate pricing is to send the size, quantity, paper choice, one-sided or two-sided printing needs, deadline, and your file. If your project also needs folding, cutting, stapling, saddle-stitching, or binding, include those details too.
PDF is usually best for color copy printing. JPG, PNG, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and ZIP files may also work depending on the project.
Color Copy Printing Questions
These quick answers replace the older article-style section and give customers the information they are most likely looking for before placing an order.
What sizes of color copies can you print?
Common color copy sizes include letter size, legal size, tabloid size, and larger options such as 12 x 18 depending on the project. Include the finished size when requesting a quote or placing an order.
Can you print one-sided and two-sided color copies?
Yes. Include whether your project should be printed one-sided or two-sided. If the file has multiple pages, make sure the pages are in the correct order.
What file type should I send?
PDF is usually the safest file type for printing. JPG and PNG files can work for image-based projects. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and ZIP files may also be useful depending on what you need printed.
Can I choose upgraded paper?
Yes. If you want heavier paper, glossy paper, cardstock, or another paper upgrade, include that preference when you request a quote or place your order.
Can you fold, cut, staple, bind, or booklet my color copies?
Yes. Depending on the project, color copies can often be finished with cutting, folding, stapling, saddle-stitching, comb binding, or other finishing options. Include those details with your order.
How do I get the most accurate price?
Send the file, quantity, size, paper choice, one-sided or two-sided preference, deadline, and any finishing needs. The more details you include, the easier it is to price the job correctly.
Should I request a quote or place an order?
Request a quote if you are unsure about price, paper, quantity, finishing, or file setup. Place an order if your file is ready and you already know what you want printed.
Ready to print your color copies?
Send your file, quantity, size, paper choice, deadline, and finishing needs. We’ll review the details and help you get the project printed correctly.