Engineering Prints: $3 Giant Posters at Staples (Honest Guide)
Engineering Prints: $3 Giant Posters at Staples (Honest Guide)
An engineering print is a black-and-white large-format print on thin bond paper — the same kind architects use for blueprints — and copy shops like Staples sell them for about $2–$8 depending on size, making them the cheapest way to get a poster-sized print anywhere. The catch: they’re black and white only. Here’s an honest breakdown of what they are, what they cost, and when you’d rather print a color poster yourself.
What is an engineering print?
Engineering prints are made on wide-format inkjet or laser plotters that print black ink only on thin, uncoated paper (usually 20 lb bond). Because there’s no color ink and the paper is cheap, the cost stays tiny even at huge sizes. Typical sizes at Staples and similar shops:
| Size | Approximate price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 18 x 24″ | ~$2–$3 | Small wall art, classroom posters |
| 24 x 36″ | ~$3–$5 | The classic cheap giant poster |
| 36 x 48″ | ~$5–$8 | Event backdrops, big banners |
Prices vary by location and shop; Staples, Office Depot, and FedEx Office all offer some version of this service (sometimes called “blueprint prints” or “black and white large format”).
Engineering print vs DIY color tiles vs professional print
| Engineering print (Staples) | DIY tiled color print (home printer) | Professional print shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for 24 x 36″ | ~$3–$5 | ~$2–$6 (ink + paper) | ~$15–$40+ |
| Color | Black and white only | Full color | Full color |
| Paper quality | Thin bond, matte | You choose (photo paper 180g looks great) | Thick poster stock, many finishes |
| Seams | None — single sheet | Visible tile lines unless trimmed | None |
| Turnaround | Same day (often hours) | 1–2 hours of printing + assembly | 1–3 days |
| Best for | Line art, maps, text posters, kids’ coloring walls | Colorful party backdrops, classroom decor on a budget | Gifts, framed art, photography |
Who should get an engineering print?
- Black-and-white artwork and typography: line drawings, quotes, architectural sketches — these look genuinely good as engineering prints.
- Temporary decor: party backdrops, classroom units, event signage. Cheap enough to throw away after.
- Coloring pages at giant scale: print a 36 x 48″ outline and let kids color it — a classic birthday activity.
When DIY color tiling wins
If you need color, the engineering print is off the table. That’s where printing tiles at home wins: split any image into A4/Letter sheets with our free online tiling tool, print on decent photo paper, and assemble. A 24 x 36″ color poster tiled from A4 costs roughly the same as an engineering print — you just spend an hour assembling instead of driving to the shop. For a full cost breakdown, see our poster printing cost guide.
When to pay for professional printing
Pay a real print shop when quality matters: gifts, framed art, photography, or anything that needs to last years. If you want vivid full color on thick stock without seams or assembly, services like the ones compared in our poster printing services guide — or Vistaprint for convenient online ordering — are the honest choice.
How to order an engineering print
- Prepare your file: high resolution (150–300 DPI at final size), black and white or grayscale, PDF is safest.
- Upload on the Staples / Office Depot / FedEx Office website, or bring a USB drive to the store.
- Choose “engineering print” or “black & white large format”, pick your size, and check the preview — thin lines can disappear at large scale, so bold your artwork.
- Pick up the same day. Roll it, don’t fold it.
Frequently asked questions
Are Staples engineering prints color?
No — engineering prints are black ink only on thin bond paper. For color at a similar budget, tile-print at home with a free online tool.
How much does a 24 x 36 engineering print cost?
Typically around $3–$5 at Staples, Office Depot, or FedEx Office. Prices vary by location.
Can I print a photo as an engineering print?
You can, but it will come out in black and white with limited detail on thin paper. Photos look much better as DIY color tiles or professional prints.
What’s the difference between an engineering print and a blueprint?
Almost none in practice — both are cheap black-and-white large-format prints on bond paper. “Engineering print” is the modern retail term.
Do engineering prints fade?
They’re printed with standard inks on uncoated paper, so keep them out of direct sunlight. They’re best treated as temporary or semi-permanent decor.
Related: poster printing services compared, free online poster tiling tool, how much does poster printing cost.
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