Document printing - Colombia

In Colombia, look for copy shops with papelería, centro de copiado, impresiones, fotos carnet. For visas, Migración, RUT, banks, and rentals you almost always need printouts and sometimes 3×4 photos. Below: what to prepare and where to go in Bogotá / Medellín (spots from experience; check hours on the map).

What relocators usually print

Cancillería visa

Print the e-visa PDF in full. For cédula you need the printout + original and copy of passport. See Nomad visa.

Passport

Copy of the data page (and visa/stamp pages if requested). Often 1–2 sets.

RUT / DIAN

Forms and confirmations from the site — black-and-white is usually enough. RUT.

Rental / bank

Contract, statements, income letters. Color only if stamps/signatures are unreadable in B/W.

Translations

Official translator delivers PDF/paper — sometimes extra copies needed. Translation.

How it works on the ground

Files: USB, WhatsApp, email, or Google Drive — most papelerías accept phones. PDF beats a photo of the screen.
B/W vs color: black-and-white is cheap; color costs more. For Migración/bank, B/W is usually fine if text is readable.
Size: carta (Letter, ~US) and oficio are more common than A4 — say aloud if you need A4.
Fotos carnet / 3×4: done in the same papelería in minutes (background, lighting). For adults, CE photos are usually taken at Migración; paper 3×4 is more often asked for other trámites or children — check the current checklist.
Copia auténtica / autenticación: a plain copy ≠ certified. If they ask for auténtica, that is a notaría / authorized point, not a regular copier.
Payment: cash or Nequi/card — depends on the shop. Small COP change helps.

Homecenter / Éxito often has a print corner (Auros and similar) — handy if you are already shopping. Downtown papelerías are denser and usually cheaper.

Checklist before Migración / bank

Visa PDF + 1–2 passport data-page copies.
Address and phone on paper (for CE they sometimes ask you to fill by hand at the desk — bring a draft).
Blood type / RH if you know it (asked for CE; otherwise a separate test).
Do not leave your passport original unattended at the copier — stay nearby.