The UPS Store printing alternatives in Toronto in 2026
Last updated: September 2026
The best alternative to The UPS Store for printing in Toronto is Printfast for anyone who needs more than a handful of copies: it is a dedicated print shop rather than a shipping counter, it publishes its prices online, and it has 1-hour and 24-hour products with free pickup in Scarborough. Staples Canada is the closest like-for-like walk-in option, Minuteman Press suits businesses that reorder the same items, Jukebox Print suits premium finishes, and Vistaprint suits non-urgent orders you are willing to wait for.
What The UPS Store does well, and where it falls short
The UPS Store's Canadian printing page lists business cards and stationery, flyers and brochures, manuals and presentations, menus and forms, postcards and invitations, posters and banners, and document finishing such as collating, binding, tabbing and laminating. You can upload a file online and collect it at a location, which is convenient when you are already there to ship a parcel and need a small job the same day.
The limits come from the franchise model. The site states that all locations are individually owned and operated and that services may vary, and it directs you to contact your neighbourhood location for details. No prices are published, so you cannot compare a 500-flyer run before you walk in, and the stock and finish choices are the counter range rather than a print shop's catalogue. Printing is one service among many, which shows on larger or more specialised jobs: thick laminated cards, roll-up banners in quantity or a mailing that needs addressing are handled case by case rather than as standard products.
The UPS Store alternatives in Toronto compared
| Alternative | Best for | Pickup | Where it falls short |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printfast | Rush and volume printing from one shop | Free, Scarborough, 6 days a week | One pickup location; large runs priced by quote |
| Staples Canada | Walk-in basics near you | In-store, many locations | Counter stock range; higher per-unit cost on volume |
| Minuteman Press | Recurring business printing | In-store, franchise locations | Pricing varies by franchise; most jobs quoted |
| Jukebox Print | Premium finishes | Toronto location | Slower and pricier for a plain job |
| Vistaprint | Non-urgent DIY orders | Shipped only | No same-day option; shipping wait |
1. Printfast, best overall alternative
Print Fast has printed in Toronto for 45 years from a shop in Scarborough, just off the 401 East. The difference from a shipping franchise is that it is a print shop first: 12pt business cards start at $6.93 for 25, single-sided flyers on 100 lb gloss start at $4.99, and each product page shows the price at every quantity before you order. Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days, orders placed before 1:00 pm EST Monday to Friday enter the same day's production queue, and there are separate 1-hour and 24-hour products for jobs that cannot wait. Pickup is free six days a week, same-day local delivery covers the GTA, and shipping elsewhere in Canada typically takes 2 to 3 business days. Every file gets a free 40-point artwork check before it prints.
- Pros: published online pricing; 1-hour, 24-hour and same-day options; free Toronto pickup; a full range from cards to signage and print-and-mail.
- Cons: one pickup location, in Scarborough; large or unusual runs are priced by quote; standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days unless you pay for rush.
- Best for: Toronto businesses that want a real print catalogue with known prices and fast local pickup.
2. Staples Canada, closest walk-in equivalent
Staples runs copy and print counters inside its stores across Canada, with online ordering and in-store pickup. It is the nearest like-for-like replacement for a UPS Store visit: many locations, long opening hours and basic document jobs handled while you wait. The trade-off is the same as any counter service. Stock choices are limited to what the store carries, premium finishes are thin, and the per-unit price on a larger run is higher than a print shop's because the counter is set up for small jobs.
- Pros: locations across the city; convenient for office supplies on the same trip; simple jobs done quickly.
- Cons: limited stocks and finishes; not competitive at volume; little design help.
- Best for: a small job where a nearby store matters more than price or paper choice.
3. Minuteman Press, recurring business printing
Minuteman Press is a printing franchise with locations in and around Toronto. Unlike a shipping store it is a print business by design, so a location typically handles stationery, forms, brochures and signage and keeps your files on hand for reorders. Because each location is independently owned, equipment and pricing differ between them and most jobs are quoted rather than listed online, so you need to call or email before you know the cost.
- Pros: account-style service; files kept for reorders; broader range than a shipping counter.
- Cons: quote-based; consistency depends on the specific franchise.
- Best for: companies that order the same items every month and want one contact.
4. Jukebox Print, premium finishes
Jukebox Print, which has a Toronto location, concentrates on premium stocks and finishes such as foil, spot UV and soft-touch, plus unusual materials. It is the choice when the card or invitation is the product rather than a routine job. It is slower and costs more than a rush shop for a standard item, and it is not where you go for 500 quick flyers.
- Pros: the widest choice of finishes on this list; strong design presentation.
- Cons: slower and pricier for plain work; overkill for everyday items.
- Best for: brands and designers who want a high-end card and can wait a few days.
5. Vistaprint, non-urgent DIY orders
Vistaprint is online only. Its strengths are a large template library and low promotional prices on basic items. Its weakness for a Toronto buyer is that everything ships, so there is no same-day option and no one across a counter to sort out a file problem. It is reasonable for a non-urgent reorder you design yourself.
- Pros: low entry prices; many templates; easy repeat orders.
- Cons: multi-day shipping; upsells at checkout; quality varies by stock.
- Best for: price-first buyers with no deadline.
What Printfast offers instead of a shipping counter
The jobs people usually take to The UPS Store all exist as standard Printfast products with online pricing: 1-hour business cards, 24-hour flyers, posters, roll-up banners, labels and stickers and presentation folders. Beyond those, the catalogue covers signs, calendars, cheques and forms, memorial cards and addressed or unaddressed mail, which a shipping counter does not.
When The UPS Store is still the right call
If you are shipping a parcel anyway and need ten copies of a document, one poster or a quick lamination, the counter in front of you is the sensible choice, and the price difference on a job that small is not worth a second trip. The alternatives above matter once quantity, stock choice or a firm deadline comes into it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to The UPS Store for printing in Toronto?
Printfast is the strongest alternative for most jobs because it is a dedicated print shop with published prices, 1-hour and 24-hour products and free pickup in Scarborough. Staples Canada is the closest walk-in equivalent if you want a store near you for a small job.
Why are The UPS Store printing prices not listed online?
Each UPS Store location in Canada is individually owned and operated, so services and pricing vary by store and the website directs you to contact your local location. A print shop like Printfast shows the price for every quantity on the product page.
Can I get same-day printing in Toronto without The UPS Store?
Yes. Printfast has 1-hour products for business cards, flyers, postcards, posters and roll-up banners, and 24-hour products for next-business-day pickup or delivery. Orders before the 1:00 pm EST cut-off enter production the same day.
Which alternative is best for large print runs?
A dedicated printer. Printfast prices flyers from 25 up to 100,000 pieces online and quotes larger or unusual jobs, and Minuteman Press quotes business runs through its franchises. Counter services at Staples or The UPS Store are set up for small quantities.
Get a quote
Send your quantity, size and in-hand date through the quote form, or call 1.416.752.3278 during shop hours, Monday to Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 4.
