How To Print Your Resume Professionally

Last updated: October 26, 2026

By Mark Fiebert

Key Takeaways

• Importance of Professional Resume Presentation: Learn why a polished and professional resume can make a strong first impression.
• Choosing High-Quality Resume Paper: Discover the types, weights, and textures of paper that enhance your resume’s appeal.
• Where to Print Your Resume: Explore professional printing options like FedEx and Office Depot for a polished finish.
• Benefits of Bringing a Printed Resume: Learn how a physical copy can show professionalism and preparedness.
• Ideal Fonts and Formatting Tips: Learn which fonts, formatting, and layouts ensure readability and professionalism.
• Optimal Resume Printing Practices: Learn why you should use laser printers and avoid double-sided printing.
• Transporting Your Resume Without Damage: Get tips on keeping your resume crisp and presentable during transit.
• Standing Out in a Competitive Job Market: Use these tips to ensure your resume gets noticed in today’s tight job market.

Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, so ensuring it looks professional is crucial. Whether you write it yourself or work with expert resume writers, presentation matters. In this article, we’ll guide you through printing a polished, impressive resume that helps you stand out.

Even though most resumes are submitted digitally, having printed copies is still crucial. In this article, we’ll show you how to print your resume professionally to increase your chances of landing your dream job.

It’s All in the Details

The paper quality you use to print your resume is a small but significant detail. Handing over a resume printed on thin, low-quality, or wrinkled paper from the bottom of your desk drawer will likely make a poor impression. While more egregious mistakes, such as submitting a resume with typographical errors, are easier to fix, they still matter. Many affordable services can help ensure your resume accurately reflects your personality and stays consistent in font size, style, and format.

High-quality resume paper is both accessible and economical. You can buy it on platforms like Amazon or at most office supply stores. Investing in good-quality paper is well worth the effort, as it enhances the professional appearance of your resume.

Times Are Changing

Although job searching has primarily transitioned to digital platforms, there are still times when a physical copy of your resume is necessary. In this digital age, we forget the complexities of choosing the right resume paper. Choosing the right paper type, weight, and texture can significantly enhance your resume‘s presentation.

High-quality paper can make a strong first impression and reflect your professionalism. While this may require a trip to the office supply store, being prepared and knowing what you need can streamline the process and help you present a polished, professional document at interviews or career fairs.

Where You Can Print Your Resume

Although printing your resume at home is an option, we recommend using a professional print shop, such as FedEx or Office Depot. Even with modern printing, maintaining a professional-looking resume is crucial.

Professional printing keeps your resume polished and visually appealing, creating a strong first impression on potential employers. Today, while printing resumes has become more straightforward, their importance remains undiminished. By choosing professional services, you can guarantee that your resume looks sharp and stands out in a competitive job market.

Why Bother?

You may think printing your resume is unnecessary since you’ve submitted it online, but a physical copy shows attention to detail and professionalism. Even if the interviewer has already printed a copy, bringing one shows your preparedness and dedication to the job. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your design skills by choosing high-quality paper and formatting. Printing your resume can leave a lasting impression and give you an edge over other candidates.

Bringing a printed resume to your interview shows professionalism and is something every job seeker should do. It shows you’re prepared and organized. Bring a few copies of your resume, even if you are only scheduled to meet with one interviewer. If that person likes you, they may want you to speak with someone else, and you’ll want a resume for that person, too.

Best Resume Paper

Avoid using standard printer paper to print your resume. Although higher-quality paper may cost more, you don’t need to purchase reams. Better paper can make a lasting impression on potential employers.

Resume paper weight

Resume paper is usually of better quality than regular copy paper. You can purchase high-quality paper that is thicker and has a more textured feel than regular printer paper. A resume-specific paper is also non-transparent. The thickness prevents the paper from tearing. At a minimum, use a weight of 24 lb. We recommend off-white, cotton, 32lb paper for printing your resume.

Are watermarks OK?

You may have noticed that fancy resume paper often features a watermark, typically a logo visible only when held up to the light. While not essential, watermarked paper can show potential employers you invested in high-quality materials and paid attention to detail when crafting your resume.

Ultimately, a watermark signifies high-quality paper. This feature is often a hallmark of premium stationery, indicating superior craftsmanship and quality materials.

Resume Paper Color

Resume paper is commonly available in white, ivory, cream, and occasionally grey. Choosing a non-white color can help your resume stand out in a sea of paper and catch the recruiter’s attention. Choosing a different hue can make a subtle yet impactful difference.

Paint it Black

Use black ink instead of colored ink when printing your resume. While colored ink may seem eye-catching, it can look unprofessional and make the resume harder to read, especially for those with poor vision. Sticking to black ink prioritizes readability and professionalism, ensuring your resume is accessible to all potential employers.

Keep it Simple

Use standard business fonts like Helvetica, Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier when creating your resume. Avoid using multiple fonts, which can look unprofessional and even cause eye strain. Please avoid fancy fonts, and most importantly, avoid Comic Sans, as it is widely considered unprofessional. Using standard business fonts helps ensure your resume looks professional and easy to read.

Formatting

You can format your resume in several ways, including chronological, functional, or combination formats. Each has unique benefits and drawbacks, so choose the format that best showcases your skills and experience while aligning with the job requirements.

Whichever format you choose, ensure it’s easy to read, uses consistent font sizes and styles, and incorporates bullet points and white space to improve readability. A well-formatted resume can help grab the recruiter’s attention and increase your chances of getting called for an interview.

Resume Printing

No matter how high-quality your resume paper and content are, they won’t matter if you print your resume on a low-quality printer. For best results, use a laser printer. Inkjet printers are also an option, but their ink can smudge or run when wet, which can compromise your resume‘s quality.

A laserjet-printed resume is less likely to run if your interviewer spills coffee on it! Never print a resume double-sided. We know it can be tempting to get the most out of your expensive resume paper, but it makes it harder for a reader to scan your resume, and it looks unprofessional.

Keep It Crisp

Avoid cramming your resume into your bag or briefcase, as it can crease it and make it look sloppy. Instead, transport your resume in a sturdy folder. You can buy a specially designed resume folder, but a regular manila folder will suffice. A resume folder helps keep your resume tidy and makes a great impression on potential employers.

Every Little Bit Helps

The job market is tight, and you are up against a lot of competition. That means you have to use every advantage available to you to make yourself stand out (see The Best Companies to Work for).

Your resume’s appearance should matter as much as its content. If you need a little resume inspiration, check the Gallery of Best Resumes.

Next Steps

• Choose Quality Materials: Select professional-grade paper—ideally 24–32 lb cotton in white or ivory—to make your resume look polished and feel substantial.
• Use a Laser Printer: Print with a laser printer for crisp, smudge-free text. Avoid double-sided printing to keep the layout clean and professional.
• Refine Your Formatting: Stick to clear, readable fonts such as Arial or Helvetica, and use consistent spacing for a clean, organized appearance.
• Bring Extra Copies: Always carry multiple printed resumes in a protective folder to interviews, ensuring you’re prepared for additional conversations.
• Proofread Before Printing: Review every detail for errors in grammar, layout, or alignment to present the most professional version of your resume.

Final Words

Making a strong impression begins with the smallest details—how your resume looks, feels, and communicates professionalism. A well-printed resume not only reinforces your credibility but also showcases the care you put into your career presentation. By combining strong design choices with premium materials and thoughtful printing practices, you project confidence and competence before the first interview question. Remember, every visual element contributes to how you’re perceived as a candidate.

Resumeble

Resumeble is a certified professional career consultancy that writes human-crafted, ATS-optimized resumes from scratch—strictly zero AI-generated templates. Ranked #1 by Forbes Vetted and the New York Post, our certified writers help job seekers land up to 3x more interviews with tailored resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile overhauls delivered within 4 business days.

Get Discovered

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.