Does Kinko’s Still Fax? Yes, Under a New Name

Yes, Kinko’s still faxes, but not under that name anymore. FedEx bought Kinko’s in 2004 and rebranded the entire chain to FedEx Office in 2008. The stores are still there, the copy counters are still there, and the fax service is still there. Only the sign out front changed.

If you searched “Kinko’s fax” and got results for FedEx Office, that is why. It is not a mistake. It is the same company, the same locations, and in many cases the same staff who were there when it was Kinko’s.

The short version

• The brand you remember is gone. FedEx Office is what replaced it.
• Fax service is available at most FedEx Office locations during store hours.
• Domestic faxes typically run $1.89 for the first page and $1.59 for each additional page. International runs $5.99 first page, $3.99 after that.
• If you want to skip the drive, you can send the same fax from your phone in about two minutes for $2 (first 3 pages) and $0.75 each additional page.

That is the answer. The rest of this page is context, in case you want it.

A quick history, because it explains a lot of confusion

Kinko’s opened in 1970 as a single copy shop near the University of California, Santa Barbara. By the 1990s it had grown into a nationwide chain, the go-to place for copies, faxes, and 24-hour print jobs. The brand was strong enough that “run to Kinko’s” became a verb.

FedEx acquired the chain in 2004 for about $2.4 billion and initially co-branded the stores as “FedEx Kinko’s.” In 2008 the Kinko’s name came off entirely, and the locations became FedEx Office. Same buildings, same services, new sign.

That is why “does Kinko’s fax” is a live search almost twenty years later. People remember the brand, not the rebrand, and they want to know if the thing they used to do at Kinko’s still works. It does.

What FedEx Office fax service costs today

FedEx Office publishes its fax pricing at the store, and the rates hold up across most locations:

• Local and domestic long-distance: $1.89 first page, $1.59 each additional page (rates vary slightly by destination).
• International: $5.99 first page, $3.99 each additional page.
• Receiving a fax: typically the same per-page rate as sending, and the store holds it for you at the counter with ID.

A three-page domestic fax runs about $5.07. A three-page international fax runs about $13.97. Add drive time and parking, and the total cost of a “quick fax at Kinko’s” is closer to an hour of your afternoon than a five-minute errand.

How to send a fax at FedEx Office

If you want the in-store experience:

1. Call ahead. Not every FedEx Office keeps its fax machine on the sales floor, and machines do go down.
2. Bring your documents in the order you want them sent, with a cover sheet on top if you need one.
3. Have the recipient’s full fax number, including the area code and country code for international.
4. Bring a payment method. Cards work everywhere. Some locations take cash at the counter.
5. Either use the self-service machine or ask staff to run it for you.
6. Wait for the confirmation slip before you leave. That is your proof of delivery.

Most FedEx Office locations run 8 AM to 8 PM on weekdays with shorter weekend hours. A handful of high-traffic downtown stores keep late hours, but the 24-hour Kinko’s of the 1990s is not a thing anymore.

The option that skips the trip

The fax standard has not changed since Kinko’s was in business. What has changed is that you no longer need to be in the same building as the fax machine.

PayPerFax sends faxes over the same phone network as any storefront fax machine, from a browser on your phone or laptop. Upload a PDF or a photo of your document, type the fax number, pay, and it goes.

• Cost: $2 for the first 3 pages, $0.75 each additional page.
• Availability: 24/7. No store hours.
• No account: you do not sign up for anything.
• Only pay for successful delivery: if the fax fails, you are not charged.
• Privacy: the document stays on your device until you send it. No clerk handles it.

For a three-page international fax, that is a small fraction of the FedEx Office counter price, and you do it from the couch.

Where to fax if there is no FedEx Office nearby

FedEx Office has about 2,000 U.S. locations, heavily concentrated in cities. If your town does not have one, the practical in-person options are:

• The UPS Store. Comparable pricing to FedEx Office, similar hours, similar counter service.
• Staples and Office Depot. Copy and print counters that also fax. Slightly cheaper per page for domestic.
• Public libraries. The cheapest option, usually $0.25 to $1.00 per page, but many limit you to local fax numbers and normal library hours.
• Local print and copy shops. Independent stores that survived the FedEx Office and Staples wave. Rates vary.

The one place you cannot fax: pharmacies. CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid do not offer public fax service. Their machines exist, but they are locked to healthcare use.

Frequently asked questions

Are any stores still branded as Kinko’s?

No. The last Kinko’s-branded stores were rebranded to FedEx Office by 2008. If you see a location with the old logo still up, it is either a mural, a merchandise item, or a very slow sign replacement. The company itself has been FedEx Office for years.

Is FedEx Office fax service any different from what Kinko’s offered?

The service works the same way. You bring documents to a counter or self-service machine, and the fax is sent over a phone line. The pricing structure is roughly what Kinko’s charged in its later years, adjusted for inflation. What is different: FedEx Office standardized hours across the chain, so the 24-hour Kinko’s near your college campus almost certainly closes at 9 PM now.

Can I fax to a Kinko’s or FedEx Office location for someone to pick up?

Yes. Call the store, ask for the fax number, and give it to whoever is sending. FedEx Office will hold received faxes for 24 to 48 hours. The recipient needs ID to pick up, and there is a receiving fee similar to the sending rate.

Why is it cheaper to fax online than at FedEx Office?

The store has to pay for rent, staff, self-service machines, phone lines, and paper. Online services pay for phone lines and servers. Fewer costs mean lower prices. That is most of the story.

Do I need Kinko’s specifically, or does any store work?

Any store with a working fax machine and a phone line can send your fax. The recipient sees the same thing on their end regardless of where you sent from. If the destination is what matters, the sending location does not.

Bottom line

Kinko’s became FedEx Office. FedEx Office still faxes, at counter prices. If you would rather not drive, send it from your phone with PayPerFax instead. No subscription, no account, and you only pay when the fax actually goes through.