Printing the programs: the practical questions, answered
The program is written — now it needs to exist on paper by the day after tomorrow. This part is more forgiving than it feels, if you know four answers.
How many copies
One per household expected, plus ten spare (guests take extras for absent family; the family keeps several). Estimate attendance from the phone tree: 60 guests ≈ 40 households ≈ 50 programs. Overprinting by ten costs a dollar; running short is remembered.
What paper
Plain paper works and no one will judge it. Card stock (160–200 gsm / 60–80 lb cover) makes a folded program feel like a keepsake — worth it if time allows. White or ivory; matte over glossy (glossy fights ballpoint pens when guests note the repast address).
Folded or flat
The classic is one sheet folded in half: cover outside, contents inside. Print double-sided flipped on the short edge and fold — test one sheet before the full run. A flat two-page program (stapled corner) is equally acceptable and eliminates the double-sided step entirely.
Where to print, by timeline
Today, at home: any inkjet handles 50 copies; buy card stock at any office store.
Today, professionally: office print shops (FedEx Office, Staples and local equivalents) print from a PDF in under an hour — save the program as PDF (Print → Save as PDF) and bring the file.
Via the funeral home: convenient, but design-plus-print packages often run $100–300; bringing your own PDF usually cuts that dramatically.
Our program maker outputs print-ready pages sized for both A4 and US Letter — home printer, print shop or funeral home, same file.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does printing funeral programs cost?
Home printing: a few dollars in paper and ink for 50. Print shops: roughly $0.30–1 per folded color copy. Funeral home packages: often $100–300 including design — bringing a ready PDF avoids the design fee.
Can a print shop fold the programs?
Yes — folding is a standard cheap add-on at office print shops; ask for "half-fold" when ordering.
What if we run out of programs at the service?
Keep the PDF accessible; any nearby print shop reprints in minutes, and the file can also be shared digitally with anyone who missed one.