The Ultimate Guide to Printing Posters at OfficeMax - Officemax USA (2024)

Everything You Need to Know for Perfect Posters Every Time

As a longtime artist and graphic designer, I’ve printed my fair share of posters over the years. From promoting local concerts and events to displaying my latest creative projects, a well-designed, quality poster can really make your message stand out. But finding a reliable, affordable printer can be a challenge.

That’s whyOfficeMax has become my go-to for all things poster printing.With their competitive pricing, convenient online ordering, and wide range of options, they make the process practically foolproof. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to getstunning posters printed at OfficeMax– no graphic design expertise required!

What Sizes of Posters Can I Print at OfficeMax?

One of the great things about OfficeMax is thehuge range of poster sizesavailable. Whether you need a small handout or a massive display piece, they’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most popular poster dimensions you can choose from:

• 8.5″ x 11″– Standard letter size, perfect for flyers
• 11″ x 17″– Large format flyer
• 18″ x 24″– Small poster size
• 24″ x 36″– Standard poster size
• 27″ x 39″– Large poster size
• 36″ x 48″– Oversized poster
• 48″ x 72″– Extra large poster

They also offer banners up to10 feet longfor really big, eye-catching displays. And if you need a custom size that’s not listed, you can enter your own dimensions during checkout. With sizes from less than a square foot to over 6 feet wide, OfficeMax gives you the flexibility to print almost any poster you can dream up.

What is the Price Range for Poster Printing at OfficeMax?

Printing high quality posters used to be an expensive endeavor. ButOfficeMax offers very affordable pricing, especially when you take advantage of frequent sales and coupon offers. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect to pay:

• Small posters(up to 18″ x 24″): $7 – $25
• Standard posters(24″ x 36″): $15 – $45
• Large posters(36″ x 48″): $25 – $75
• Extra large posters(48″ x 72″): $45 – $150
• Banners(up to 10′ long): $30 – $200

These prices are for single prints on basic paper. Upgrading to thicker posters, lamination, or bulk orders can increase the costs. But with regular promotions like 60% off or 15% your entire order, it’s easy tosave big at OfficeMax.

What Kind of Paper Options Does OfficeMax Offer for Poster Printing?

While their prices beat out many competitors, OfficeMax doesn’t compromise on print quality. You’ll have your choice of great paper options to give your design the look and feel you want.

Basic Poster Paper

Their standard satin poster paper works great for most applications. It has a smooth, slightly glossy finish andprints vibrant colorswith up to 1200 dpi resolution. The lightweight paper isperfect for indoor postersand affordable large prints.

Photo Gloss/Matte Paper

For professional photo prints or artwork reproductions, they offer glossy and matte photo papers. The 10 mil thick paper has apremium look and feel, with rich details and colors. Matte finishes avoid reflections while glossy gives a brighter effect.

Adhesive Vinyl Banners

For outdoor signs and banners, adhesive vinyl is waterproof, tear resistant, and can be hung vertically or horizontally. It’sideal for outdoor eventsand comes in matte or gloss finishes.

Cardstock

For postcards, flyers, and thicker posters, choose 80 lb – 110 lb cardstock. The extra weight gives it apremium, durable feel. Cardstock posters almost feel like photo prints.

Canvas

For an art gallery look, you can even print posters on real artist canvas. The textured cotton canvas materiallooks amazing with photography and artwork. Plus, canvas rolls enable huge panorama sizes.

Other Unique Materials

OfficeMax offers unique materials like transparent film, magnetic stock, foam core board, and more. Get creative withpolyester, plastic, magnetic, or wood poster prints!

What is the Maximum Resolution for OfficeMax Poster Prints?

When printing large format posters, resolution becomes key for keeping images looking crisp and avoiding a pixelated effect. Themaximum resolution at OfficeMax is 1200 dpifor most posters.

Standard desktop printers print at around 300 – 600 dpi. Billboards and bus stop ads are usually just 70 – 150 dpi. So OfficeMax’s1200 dpi will ensure graphics and photos print cleanlyat just about any size.

Higher 2400+ dpi resolutions don’t offer much visible difference for most images. As long as your image resolution is 150 dpi or higher at the printed size, 1200 dpi will give you sharp, detailed prints even for poster blowups.

What Services Are Included in OfficeMax Poster Printing?

OfficeMax not only provides the actual printing, but lots of great design, finishing, and display options:

Easy Online Design Tools

For creating your poster design, OfficeMax hassimple online design templates.Choose a size and theme, upload images, add text, and customize the layout. No advanced graphic design skills needed!

Photo Enhancements

Theirautomatic photo enhancement toolanalyzes and fine tunes contrast, color balance, brightness, and more for optimal image quality.

Custom Cropping

Crop images and customize the printable area to what you need. No need to make crops perfect in your original file.

Color Correction

Before printing, you can requestcolor corrected proofsto verify colors print true to your images. They’ll adjust hues if the proofs don’t match.

Mounting/Lamination

Pick standard prints, or upgrade tomounted or laminated postersfor a professional finish and protection from scratches.

Same Day Printing

Many OfficeMax locations offerin-store printing while you wait.Great when you need posters ASAP for a last minute event.

Poster Hanging Kits

Add on kits with poster rails, frames, or stands for a complete ready-to-display package.

With all these design, correction, and finishing options, OfficeMax makes it so you can go from concept tofinished posters in no time!

How to Upload and Order Posters on the OfficeMax Website

Ordering posters online at OfficeMax is super user-friendly. Just follow these steps:

1. Visit print.officedepot.com and click “Posters”
2. Select your size from dozens of common and custom dimensions
3. Upload your poster design file (JPG, PDF, etc.). Use one of their templates or your own design.
4. Choose paper material: basic, photo, vinyl, canvas, etc.
5. Pick glossy, matte or other finish
6. Enter quantity – bulk discounts apply!
7. Configure any other options like lamination or color correction
8. Add to cart and enter shipping + billing
9. Submit order and you’ll receive an email confirmation

Once you finalize checkout, you can sit back and relax! Theiruser-friendly website makes poster printing a breeze.

How Long Does it Take to Get Posters Printed at OfficeMax?

One huge benefit of OfficeMax is theirquick turnaround times, so you don’t have to wait weeks for your prints. Here are the estimated timeframes:

• Same day printing– Available at select store locations if you can drop off the file in person
• Next day printing– Order online with next day delivery and get posters as soon as tomorrow
• 2-3 day production– Standard turnaround for most sizes is just 2-3 business days
• 5+ day production– Larger oversized banners may need 5+ days to print and ship

Of course production time can vary based on order volumes and material stock. But you can generally expect your postersin under 3 days, which is blazing fast compared to competitors.

Rush processing is available for same day pickup at some stores. Reach out to their customer service team if you have a tight deadline or event!

How to Prepare Your Artwork File for Poster Printing

A proper file setup is crucial for ensuring optimal print results. Here are some tips for getting your digital artwork ready for posters:

• Image Resolution– For clean enlargements, aim for150 dpi resolution at the printed size.So a 36″ x 48″ poster would need 5400 x 7200 pixels.
• Print Dimensions– Design at100% of the output sizein your image/document. Don’t scale by percentages.
• File Format– JPG is recommended for photos and graphics. PDFs work for text and vector designs.
• Color Mode– UseRGB color modefor the best color representation. CMYK can cause color shifts.
• Bleed– Expand background images/colors1/8″ past the poster edgesto avoid white borders from trimming.
• Crop Marks– Optionally add crop marks in PDFs to guide the print operators in finishing.

Follow these tips, and your files will print perfectly! The OfficeMax team can also help troubleshoot any artwork issues.

Using OfficeMax Coupons for Big Poster Printing Savings

OfficeMax already offers affordable pricing on posters. But you can save even more with theirfrequent coupons and promos.Here are some tips for maximizing savings:

• Check forpercent off couponson the homepage and in weekly ads
• Look for category specific coupons like25% off Posters
• Time orders aroundsite-wide saleslike 15% off everything
• Buy in bulk! The more you order, the lower the rates
• Join their freeOfficeMax Rewardsprogram to earn points and credits

I like to stock up on prints whenever they offer 60% off posters – it drops the pricesbelow what I’d pay at wholesale!With a little strategizing, you can slash poster costs big time.

Should I Choose Matte or Glossy Poster Finish?

One of the biggest decisions is whether you want a glossy or matte look. Here are some tips for choosing:

Matte Finish

• Provides asubtle, understated effect
• Minimizes glarefrom lighting conditions
• Prints have aflat, non-reflective look
• Works great forartwork and photography

Glossy Finish

• Gives prints ashiny, sleek appearance
• Vibrant colorsseem to pop more
• Adds amodern, polished feel
• Suited forgraphic posterswith lots of color

In general, glossy gives a brighter, lively effect while matte is more muted and natural. Consider the poster content, viewing environment, and personal preference when deciding. You really can’t go wrong with either one!

Where Can I Find OfficeMax Stores Offering Same Day Poster Printing?

If you need posters in a pinch for an impromptu event, same day printing is a lifesaver! Many OfficeMax stores now offer quick in-store printing while you wait.

To find locations offering same day poster printing near you:

• Visit print.officedepot.com
• Click “Same Day Printing” and enter your zip code
• Call ahead to verify same day capacity for the day
• Drop off your file on a USB drive and pick up the posters within hours!

Turnaround is usuallyabout 2-4 hoursdepending on order volume. It’s much faster than overnight shipping. The INSTANTPRINT stations can print anything from signs and banners to photos. With over 1,000 OfficeMax stores across the US, there’s likely a quick print shopnear your event locale.

Can You Print Custom Sizes Like 22″ x 28″ Posters at OfficeMax?

OfficeMax doesn’t just offer set dimensions. Their printing systems let youenter any custom width and heightto get the perfect poster size for your space.

Maybe you need a 22″ x 28″ poster to fit a wall nook. Or 13″ x 40″ for a weird hallway. Perhaps giant 8′ x 4′ movie posters are your thing. Whatever unique dimensions you need, OfficeMax has you covered.

When uploading your file on their website, simply enter your desired measurements under the “Custom Size” option. Almost all materials and finishes are available for custom sizes too.

It’s great for flexibility with framing, display stands, unconventionally shaped spaces, and more. Don’t be constrained by standard sizes – make any poster you can imagine!

Is Poster Printing on Canvas Possible at OfficeMax?

For an artsy, professional look reminiscent of a gallery or museum, having posters printed onreal canvasis a great option. The woven cotton canvas material looks amazing, especially for showing off photography or artwork.

Thankfully, OfficeMax offerscanvas poster printingup to 1.5 inches thick. You can choose from different finish options:

• Matte canvas– Provides a classicflat, texturedlook
• Gloss canvas– Coated with varnish forvibrant colorsand slight sheen
• Gallery wrapped canvas– Printed around the edges so it’sready to hang as is

The canvas rolls enable truly giant panorama prints like 5′ x 3′. And the material is tough enough for frequent handling and displaying.

Canvas posters do cost 2-3x more than basic paper prints. But for important projects, thehigh quality and visual impactof real canvas is well worth the investment.

Could I Request Color Correction at OfficeMax for Fixing Poster Hues?

No matter how carefully you prep your files, colors can sometimes print slightly off. Maybe the blue looks too purple, or skin tones appear orangey. Thankfully, OfficeMax offerscolor correction servicesto get your hues perfect.

When reviewing your uploaded design, you’ll have the option to request acolor corrected proof print. They’ll print a mini version to verify accuracy.

If the proof colors are off, you can ask them to modify the levels before the full poster run. Their team willdigitally adjust the hue, saturation, brightnessuntil the proofs match your intended colors.

It’s a huge help for catching issues with photography and graphics. And it ensures the final posters will becolor-accurateto your images or brand colors. For an affordable fee at checkout, it’s worthwhile protection against surprises.

Is It Possible to Order Posters Already Mounted at OfficeMax?

For quick and easy poster hanging without frames, OfficeMax providesmounted poster printing.This means your image gets cleanly affixed to board or foam core for instant wall display.

They offer a few different mounting options:

• Foam core– Lightweight and affordable for smaller prints
• Sintra board– Sleek professional grade board in various colors
• Cardboard– Basic budget mounting good for temporary displays

Mounting prices vary based on size and material, but usually add just$10-$30. It provides a smooth, consistent backing that looks more polished than plain paper. And it’s ready to slide into rails or lean on an easel.

If you want a mounted look without the permanent adhesion, there’s alsoremovable mounting putty. So don’t limit yourself to just paper prints – mounting takes posters to the next level!

Are There Package Deals for Printing Multiple Posters at OfficeMax?

For promo campaigns, conventions, schools, and events, you’ll likely needbatches of the same poster design. Thankfully, OfficeMax offers excellent bulk printing deals.

Discounts typically start at 5-10 posters, with the more you order, the lower the rate. For example, a 24″ x 36″ poster may be $30 for one print, but only $12 per poster for 100 copies.

Other ways to save on multiples:

• Look for“Buy 2 Get 1 Free”offers
• Check for bulk specific coupons like“60% Off All Orders of 25+ Posters”
• Consider groupings that hit discount thresholds like groups of 5, 10, 25, 50, etc.

With the tiered volume discounts, you can order all the copies you needat the best possible prices.Just upload a single file, enter the amount, and let OfficeMax handle the large production run. Bulk printing is their specialty!

Is Online or In-Store Poster Printing More Affordable at OfficeMax?

One advantage of OfficeMax is having the choice between printing online for delivery or at your local store. But which option scores better deals?

In general,online poster printing tends to be more budget-friendlyfor a few reasons:

• Lower overheadcompared to retail stores
• Frequent site-wide saleslike 25% off everything
• Free shippingonce you spend $50+ on most orders
• Bonus couponsoffered online like 20% your first order

Of course in-store rush printing has its perks too. But for most jobs, I’ve found I can usually get thebest poster pricing and sales online.And it conveniently ships to your door in just a few days.

So if saving money is your main goal, stick to the OfficeMax website for affordable shipping and online-only promos.

Which File Types Does OfficeMax Recommend for Optimal Quality Poster Printing?

Choosing the right file format is key to ensuring your posters print cleanly and true to the original image.

For most poster orders,high quality JPGs are OfficeMax’s top recommendation.JPGs are lossy, meaning they compress data for smaller sizes, but still produce excellent results for photos and graphics at standard poster resolutions.

For simpler designs with text, shapes, logos, and illustrations,PDF files are ideal.The vector format looks razor sharp at any size. Ensure fonts are embedded or outlined.

Other usable formats include PNG, PSD, and TIFF. GIFs and BMPs often have poor compression or quality.

Stick to non-compressed JPG or sharp vector PDFs, and your posters will look stunning. The OfficeMax team can also help troubleshoot any file issues!

Which OfficeMax Print Center is Closest to Me for Picking Up Posters Fast?

Can’t wait for shipping? With over 1,000 OfficeMax stores nationwide, you can likelyfind a location near youfor fast poster printing pickups.

To locate a store:

• Go to print.officedepot.com
• Enter your ZIP code in “Find a Store” and filter by Print & Copy Services
• Call ahead to verify poster printing turnaround time for walk-ins
• Bring your file on a thumb drive and provide dimensions, paper type, etc.
• Return in a few hours for immediate poster pickup!

For last minute jobs needed right away, same day in-store pickup is clutch. And it saves you the hassle of waiting at home for deliveries.

Head to the OfficeMax nearest you for posters in no time flat!

Putting It All Together for Picture Perfect OfficeMax Poster Printing!

As you can see, printing posters through OfficeMax checks all the boxes:

👍 Wide range of sizesfrom mini flyers to giant banners

👍 Affordable pricingwith frequent coupon deals

👍 Premium materialslike glossy photo paper and canvas

👍 Fast turnaround timeswith same day options

👍 Convenient online orderingwith design customization

👍 Helpful finishing serviceslike lamination and mounting

With their stellar quality, prices, and reliability, they’ve become my go-to for all poster projects. I hope these tips help you create eye-catching prints that make a bold impact! Give their user-friendly website a try, or visit an OfficeMax near you for premium hassle-free poster printing.