With the Denman Forum around the corner, we have been getting a lot of questions about poster printing. Here is some background information and common questions and answers:
Plotter Resources: http://library.osu.edu/sites/mps/plotter/
NOTE: Please do not release a plotter job when someone else’s job is spooling as a memory error may occur.
Where do I go to print?
Computers #1 and #2 are set up specifically for large format printing — they are the two closest to the printing station in SU220, and they are Apple Power Mac G5s. If there is someone using those computers not working on a poster, you may ask them (or ask a staff member to ask them) to change computers.
How can I get help?
The Multimedia Production Space is primarily staffed by two people. As such, there are times when a primary staff member may not be available for assistance. In such a case, either someone from the circulation or reference desks should be able to assist you. Please also feel free to e-mail us at sul-mps@osu.edu.
What is the turn-around time?
We are not a full-service copy shop. You must do the printing yourself like you would print a paper or notes off of Carmen. Our online tutorials are available at http://library.osu.edu/sites/mps/plotter/, and there is also hints and tips signage located at the computers themselves. Of course, if you need assistance, you can ask a staff member for help. Please see also ”How long does it take to print?” below.
How much does it cost?
Due to fluctuating price reports from UniPrint, the prices may vary from posted by several cents. However, our largest size, 36″x48″, should not exceed about $8 for the entire, full-color job (yes, eight dollars). For all valid sizes and pricing information, go to http://library.osu.edu/sites/mps/plotter/
How do I pay?
The large format printing uses the Pharos printing system as is used in computer labs across campus, which accepts BuckID. This is the only method accepted for payment. If you have a 100W, you can order a “copy card” from the BuckID office. More information about getting a copy card can be found here: https://buckid.osu.edu/faculty_copycards.asp
I’m working on a Windows PC. Will it work on Mac?
If working on the PowerPoint slide on a Windows PC, special care must be taken to make sure the slide, when opened on the lab Macs, is formatted properly. This is primarily due to slight font differences between the operating systems. To alleviate this, you can either perform the corrections on-site, or, back on the Windows machine, export to a PDF which you then print in Acrobat in the lab.
How long does it take to print?
The following estimates are based on a 36″x48″ print. For a completely rasterized job, as would come out of Photoshop, it can take up to an hour and a half, but usually it’s closer to an hour. Printing from PowerPoint is supported as long as there is not background image — fades/gradients are OK. Average time for PowerPoint jobs is about twenty to thirty minutes. Overall, expect the entire process to take up to two hours, which allows for Windows->Mac slide fixing and the possibility of rasterizing the slide.
I got an Out of Memory error.
If you receive an Out of Memory error while printing from PowerPoint, that is likely due to corrupted image data reaching the printer. There are two ways to alleviate this:
1) Copy your slide’s images one-by-one into something like Photoshop, save copies of them, clear the original images from the slide, and import the re-saved copies
OR
2) Export the slide as an image and print from Photoshop.
My question isn’t answered here…
Please contact us via e-mail at sul-mps@osu.edu so we have a written record of the question and answer and can add it to our FAQ :-).
March 5th, 2009
If our large format printer (plotter) is down, or you need a wider variety of options such as color proofing, lamination, or mounting, please consider one of the following commercial print shops:
- FedEx Office - Located on 15th across from the former Long’s Book Store and next to The “O” Patio & Pub, FedEx Office has several printing options available. A 36″x48″ poster bundle costs $129.99. Please see http://www.fedex.com/us/office/marketing/signsbanners/posters/packages.html for more details and up-to-date pricing.
- AlphaGraphics - Located just north of Polaris Town Center on Antares Avenue, AlphaGraphics has several different printing options to fit your needs. A basic 36″x48″ print will cost about $69, with lamination and mounting costing extra. See http://www.alphagraphics.com/services/large-format-printing.html for more info.
- UniPrint - With convenient locations right next to the Central Classroom building on Millikin Way and at 2500 Kenny Road, UniPrint provides all printing solutions for the University community. A 36″x48″ poster will cost about $156 with lamination and mounting, or $72 without. Contact UniPrint to see how they can help you with your poster: http://uniprint.osu.edu/locations.aspx.
- Center for Knowledge Management - CKM Print Services is located in the Prior Health Sciences Library on 10th Avenue. Besides poster printing, they can help you with other multimedia related tasks, with a preference for things related to the medical field.
- School of Earth Sciences ($25 for b/w or color poster - Two day’s notice required. $35 otherwise.) Accept Powerpoint, PDF, TIFF, and Photoshop formats. Located in Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall. Primarily serving students in MAPS. Email Brent Curtiss at curtiss.3@osu.edu. (Information from Denman Research Forum)
- Other Departmental Labs - The College of the Arts Fergus-Gilmore Computing Studio and several Engineering departments (including Architecture, Chemical, and Mechanical) also offer large format printing. The general limitation, though, is that you must be a student of that particular department. They also do not offer services such as lamination or mounting.
If you have any questions about your large format printing options, please feel free to contact us. The information above is deemed reliable but not guaranteed — please contact the business in question for price and service confirmation. Also, the Multimedia Production Space does not endorse any of the above businesses and is merely providing some alternate locations for equivalent service in the event of hardware or software failure.
February 9th, 2009
Faculty and staff can now reserve SUL244 for their teaching and research activities. The Multimedia Production Space can help you coordinate your special activity or class in that space.
Available in there are ten reconfigurable desks with chairs, five movable whiteboards, and a bevy of collapsible swivel chairs, along with four lounge-style chairs and a couch. Extra whiteboard supplies such as markers, erasers, or solvent are available upon request. A popular use of this space in the past has been as a classroom or presentation space. Also available for reservation are a projector, a tablet PC with speakers, and our mobile HD television connected to a DVD player and PC. [Make reservation in our reservation system: https://portal.lib.ohio-state.edu/mpsrs ]
(Click on the thumbnails to view larger images)
Only University faculty and staff can reserve this space and presentation equipment. Student organizations whose missions align with the atmosphere of the Libraries may also reserve this room, pending library approval.
Do you think you would like to use this space, have an idea about something not discussed here, or have other suggestions? E-mail us at sul-mps@osu.edu and we will try to accommodate your needs.
February 9th, 2009
The Multimedia Production Space in Room 220B Sullivant Library is part of the Sullivant Learning Commons.
We have 12 G5 Macintosh workstations, 6 of them with dual monitors and all of them with ergonomically designed (which means “comfortable”) chairs.
And we have graduate and undergraduate assistants to help you with your multimedia needs.
One really valuable asset of our lab is the 36″ color plotter/printer for producing up to 36″x48″ posters (HP DesignJet 1055). You can find the size and price information in our plotting tutorial (http://library.osu.edu/sites/mps/plotter/).
November 13th, 2007
Patrons can check out and use the following MPS equipment inside the lab:
- AV transfer deck (includes VHS and DV player, a Toshiba DVD player and TV)
- Scanner
- External hard disk
- USB and Firewire cables
November 12th, 2007
