No Printer? Here's How to Handle Online Returns Fast

You need to return something, but the retailer wants you to print a label. Your printer ran out of ink three years ago and now serves as a very expensive paperweight. Sound familiar?

You're not alone. 62% of millennials and Gen Z don't own a working printer. But that doesn't mean you're stuck. There are plenty of ways to return items without printing anything.

Here's your complete guide to printer-free returns.

The Printer Problem: By the Numbers

Who Doesn't Have Printers?

• 62% of millennials: No working printer
• 58% of Gen Z: No working printer
• 35% of Gen X: No working printer
• 15% of Boomers: No working printer

Total: About 45% of all online shoppers don't have reliable printer access.

Why People Don't Have Printers

• Everything is digital: Most things don't need printing
• Printers are expensive: Ink costs more than the printer
• Printers break: Constantly
• Space: Apartments are small, printers take space
• Convenience: It's easier to go paperless

But returns still require labels... or do they?

Solution 1: QR Code Returns (Best Option)

Most major retailers now offer QR code returns—no printer needed.

How QR Code Returns Work

1. Start return on retailer's website or app
2. Select "QR code" or "mobile return" option
3. Get QR code on your phone
4. Take item to drop-off location
5. Show QR code, they scan it
6. Done!

Which Retailers Offer QR Codes?

Amazon:

• UPS Store: QR code accepted
• Kohl's: QR code accepted
• Whole Foods: QR code accepted
• Amazon Lockers: Code-based (no QR needed)

Target:

• Store returns: QR code in app
• UPS drop-off: QR code available

Walmart:

• Store returns: QR code in app
• FedEx drop-off: QR code available

Best Buy:

• Store returns: QR code in app

Most major retailers: Now offer QR code options

Pros of QR Code Returns

• No printer needed: Everything on your phone
• Fast: Scan and go
• Widely available: Most retailers support it
• Easy: Just show your phone

Cons of QR Code Returns

• Not all retailers: Some still require printing
• Not all locations: Some drop-off points don't accept QR codes
• Phone battery: Make sure your phone is charged
• Screen brightness: May need to turn it up for scanning

Pro Tips for QR Codes

1. Screenshot the QR code: In case you lose service
2. Charge your phone: Before you go
3. Turn up brightness: Makes scanning easier
4. Have backup: Email yourself the code too

Solution 2: Store Returns (No Label Needed)

Many retailers let you return items to their physical stores—no label needed.

How Store Returns Work

1. Take item to retailer's store
2. Show receipt or order confirmation (on phone)
3. They process the return
4. Get refund immediately

Which Retailers Allow Store Returns?

Target:

• Return any online purchase to any Target store
• Show order confirmation on phone
• Get refund immediately

Walmart:

• Return online purchases to Walmart stores
• Show order confirmation
• Refund processed

Best Buy:

• Return online purchases to Best Buy stores
• Show order confirmation
• Refund or exchange

Nordstrom:

• Return online purchases to Nordstrom stores
• No receipt needed (they look it up)
• Full refund

Most retailers with physical stores: Allow in-store returns

Pros of Store Returns

• No label needed: Just bring the item
• Immediate refund: Get money back right away
• No packaging: Often not required
• Easy: Just show your phone

Cons of Store Returns

• Must go to store: May not be convenient
• Store hours: Limited hours
• May need receipt: Order confirmation on phone usually works
• Some items excluded: Check policy first

Solution 3: Library or Office Store Printing

If you absolutely need to print, use public printing services.

Library Printing

Cost: $0.10-0.25 per page (very cheap)

How it works:

1. Go to local library
2. Use their computers (or bring laptop)
3. Print return label
4. Pay small fee

Pros:

• Very cheap
• Usually available
• Helpful staff

Cons:

• Requires trip to library
• May need library card
• Limited hours

Office Store Printing

Staples:

• Self-service printing: $0.15-0.25 per page
• Staff printing: $0.50-1.00 per page
• Available at most locations

Office Depot:

• Self-service printing: $0.15-0.25 per page
• Staff printing: $0.50-1.00 per page
• Available at most locations

FedEx Office:

• Self-service printing: $0.15-0.25 per page
• Staff printing: $0.50-1.00 per page
• Available at most locations

Pros:

• Widely available
• Reasonable prices
• Usually fast

Cons:

• Requires trip to store
• Costs money ($0.50-2.00 typically)
• May need to wait

Pro Tips for Public Printing

1. Email yourself the label: Easier than logging into accounts
2. Bring USB drive: Backup option
3. Check hours: Before you go
4. Call ahead: Make sure printing is available

Solution 4: Mobile Return Labels

Some retailers let you show the label on your phone at drop-off.

How It Works

1. Get return label (PDF or image)
2. Show on phone at drop-off location
3. They scan or manually enter tracking number
4. Done!

Which Locations Accept Mobile Labels?

UPS Store:

• Some locations accept mobile labels
• Call ahead to confirm
• QR codes preferred

FedEx Office:

• Some locations accept mobile labels
• Self-service kiosks may work
• Call ahead to confirm

Post Office:

• Usually requires printed label
• Some locations may accept mobile (rare)
• Call ahead to confirm

Not widely available: This option is limited

Solution 5: Return Pickup Services (Ultimate Solution)

The best solution: let someone else handle the printing.

Return pickup services like Returnful:

• We print labels: For you (it's included)
• We come to you: No need to go anywhere
• We handle everything: Packaging, labels, drop-off
• You get photo proof: Confirmation it was done

Your part: 1 minute to book online or via text. That's it.

How It Works

1. Book pickup: Online or text (1 minute)
2. Leave item on porch: Or wherever you prefer
3. We pick it up: Same-day or next-day
4. We print label: At our facility
5. We drop it off: At the right location
6. You get confirmation: Photo proof

No printer needed. No driving. No hassle.

Pros of Pickup Services

• No printer needed: We handle it
• No driving: We come to you
• No packaging: We handle it
• No stress: We do everything
• Photo proof: Confirmation it was done

Cons of Pickup Services

• Cost: $15-25 per return
• Availability: May not be in all areas
• Timing: May need to schedule in advance

When Pickup Services Make Sense

• No printer: And don't want to deal with printing
• No car: Can't get to drop-off location
• Busy schedule: Don't have time for returns
• Multiple returns: More efficient to batch
• Value your time: Worth $15-25 to save 60-90 minutes

Solution 6: Retailer Apps with In-App Returns

Many retailer apps now handle returns entirely in-app.

Amazon App

• Start return: In app
• Get QR code: In app
• Find drop-off: In app (with maps)
• Track return: In app
• Get refund: Automatic when processed

No printer needed for most returns.

Target App

• Start return: In app
• Get QR code: For store return
• Or get label: Can print or show on phone
• Track return: In app

Walmart App

• Start return: In app
• Get QR code: For store return
• Or get label: Can print or show on phone
• Track return: In app

Most major retailer apps: Now support in-app returns

Solution 7: Email Return Labels to Friend/Family

If you know someone with a printer:

1. Get return label: From retailer
2. Email it to them: Or text screenshot
3. They print it: For you
4. You pick it up: Or they give it to you
5. Attach and drop off: As usual

Pros:

• Free (if they don't mind)
• Easy
• Works if you have someone nearby

Cons:

• Requires asking for favor
• May feel awkward
• Depends on their availability

Solution 8: Work Printer (If Allowed)

If your workplace allows personal printing:

1. Get return label: From retailer
2. Print at work: During break or lunch
3. Take home: Attach and drop off

Pros:

• Free (if allowed)
• Convenient (if you work there)

Cons:

• May not be allowed
• May feel unprofessional
• Limited to work hours

Check company policy first!

The Complete Comparison

| Solution | Printer Needed? | Cost | Time | Convenience | |----------|----------------|------|------|-------------| | QR Code Returns | No | Free | 5-10 min | High | | Store Returns | No | Free | 20-40 min | Medium | | Library Printing | No (they have it) | $0.25 | 15-30 min | Low | | Office Store Printing | No (they have it) | $0.50-2 | 15-30 min | Medium | | Mobile Labels | No | Free | Varies | Low (limited) | | Pickup Services | No (they handle it) | $15-25 | 1 min | Very High | | Friend/Family Printer | No (they have it) | Free | Varies | Low | | Work Printer | No (they have it) | Free | Varies | Low |

Best Solutions by Situation

Situation 1: Amazon Return

Best: QR code at UPS Store, Kohl's, or Whole Foods

• No printer needed
• Fast and easy
• Widely available

Situation 2: Target Return

Best: Store return with QR code

• No printer needed
• Immediate refund
• Easy

Situation 3: Any Retailer, No Printer, No Car

Best: Return pickup service

• No printer needed
• No driving needed
• We handle everything

Situation 4: Need to Print, Have Time

Best: Library or office store

• Cheap ($0.25-2)
• Available
• Works for any retailer

Situation 5: Multiple Returns, No Printer

Best: Return pickup service

• Batch all returns
• We print all labels
• One service, all retailers

Pro Tips for Printer-Free Returns

1. Always check for QR code option: Most retailers offer it
2. Use retailer apps: Often have better mobile options
3. Screenshot QR codes: Backup in case of issues
4. Charge your phone: Before going to drop-off
5. Check store return options: Often easier than shipping
6. Consider pickup services: If you return items regularly
7. Batch returns: More efficient with pickup services

The Bottom Line

You don't need a printer to return items.

Best options:

1. QR code returns: Fast, free, no printer needed
2. Store returns: Immediate refund, no label needed
3. Return pickup services: We handle printing, you handle nothing

Other options:

• Library printing: $0.25, works but requires trip
• Office store printing: $0.50-2, works but requires trip
• Friend/family printer: Free but requires asking favor

The ultimate solution: Return pickup services that handle printing for you. No printer needed. No driving. No hassle. Just 1 minute to book, and we handle everything.

Ready to skip the printer hassle? Learn how Returnful works or text us at 469-790-7579.

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No printer? No problem. Text us at 469-790-7579 and we'll handle your return, including printing the label.