How to print and bind PDFs

While this is a very detailed explanation of our process, please keep in mind that your ordering experience will take less than two minutes once your PDF file is uploaded. Just upload a PDF and checkout. Simple!

Step 1: Upload your PDF

Click "Try us now" to open a finder window on your device, then find the PDF you would like to print. Select that file. It will upload automatically. If you have different PDFs you would like to print at the same time, you can select the other files later in this process.

Step 2: Choose your print type option

When you choose the type of printing for your PDF, note that we always print to fit an 8 ½” x 11” page. This means that no matter what size any page is in your PDF, it will be enlarged or reduced to fit the US Letter 8 ½" x 11" page size. Usually the pages in the PDF are always the same size, but sometimes they aren’t and can cause complicated issues. Our PDF print service fits them all to one page size,so they can all be bound together.

With our service, you can print in all color, all black & white, or Black & White with the 1st Page in Color. These are what we call the print type. Here are the print types:

Full color printing and binding Color Color printing is best for PDF’s on subjects that involve color photos, but color printing costs more. Color printing is on a heavier 24# laser print paper so heavy coverage on one side of the page will not be as visible when reading the other side of the page. We print at high resolution 1,200 x 1,200 dpi, with 8 bit/ 265 gradation for maximum color depth. Black & white Black and White printing is very high resolution but less expensive then color printing, and uses a standard 20# bright white paper. We print at 1,200 x 1,200 dpi with the highest 265 gradation. First page in color If you prefer to have the cover page in color, and the rest black and white, we have that as an option.

One thing you won't see from our process is a question about printing double or single sided. Since we are printing your PDF like a book, we are always printing double-sided.

Step 3: Choose your binding type option

Next up is to choose the binding type for your print. Before you choose, please note that binding types all have a size limit based on the number of pages that can fit in the binding, and our system will only display bindings that will fit your document. We only print double-sided, like a book, so we automatically count the pages in your pdf, and calculate the sheets of paper that will fit the binding, and display the binding choices that will fit your page count.

Here are the binding types we offer: (Please note, our references to pages is based on the number of pages in your PDF, not the sheets of paper. A page in a book is ½ sheet of paper.)

Plastic coil binding GBC Comb- Our "Standard". The GBC Comb bind is the Classic. It's hefty. Sturdy. Docs can lay flat. Our largest size holds 800 double-sided pages. Plastic Coil-This type is a plastic coil spun onto pre-punched paper. Docs can lay flat. Our max size holds 400 double sided pages. Wire-o- This is a metal comb that bends around the pre-punched sheets. The comb is like a metallic outline of the GBC Comb. It has a cool style to it, and the document will lay flat also. Our max comb holds 400 double-sided pages. Velo- This is a unique binding. Two plastic strips are welded at 3 spindle points that hold it all together. This binding holds the most pages of all the bindings we offer at 900 double-sided pages. This binding is firm and difficult to lay flat. Behaves more like a book. 3 Hole Punch (3HP)- Our last one is 3HP. Use this for stuff you already have a binder for. There’s no limit on the number of pages we can punch. Binder Not Included. No Binding- If you don’t want any binding and just want unpunched pages, choose this.

Step 4: Add other PDFs to the same order.

If you have other PDFs to add to the same order, click the link “Add another PDF”, and repeat steps 1-3. When you have added all of the PDF’s you want to print, go to the next step.

Step 5: Choose your shipping

We use the USPS to deliver your PDF directly to your US address. Most people choose our free standard shipping.

We also offer priority for an additional fee. Standard shipping takes 2-9 days according to the USPS. Priority shipping is 2-3 days. The shipping time is in addition to the printing time of up to 2 business days. With standard shipping, most orders in the US are received between 6-8 days on average, but please allow 2 weeks. Priority shipping will save time if you live in a remote area of the US, or need your print in 6 business days or less.

Step 6: Submit payment

We accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and also Paypal.

When you submit payment, you will be asked for your shipping address. Please make sure to include the correct recipient name and shipping address.

Our site will ask you if you would like to create an account which will then save your email address & shipping address for future orders.

Submit your payment and you're done! Now we go to work.