Creating posters is a fantastic way to communicate visually, whether for academic presentations, marketing events, or personal projects. If you’re wondering, “Where Can I Print Posters?” you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the poster printing services available at the library, offering a convenient and reliable solution for your printing needs.
On-Campus Poster Printing Locations
For those affiliated with the university, the Digital Media Lab located in the W. E. B. Du Bois Library provides professional poster printing services. You can find this lab on the Lower Level of the library, easily accessible for all your large format printing needs. While standard black and white and color printing are available at various library locations, including the Lower Level and the 2nd floor of the Science & Engineering Library, as well as outside the Graduate Commons on the 5th floor of Du Bois Library (black and white only), poster printing is specifically handled at the Digital Media Lab.
Poster Printing Specifications and Options
When planning your poster print, it’s important to consider the specifications to ensure your file is print-ready and meets the lab’s requirements. Here are the key details for poster printing:
- Dimensions:
- Minimum size: Your poster must be larger than 11 inches by 17 inches to qualify as a poster print.
- Maximum width: The maximum width for the short side of your poster is 41.5 inches.
- Maximum length: While the width is limited, the length can be varied, potentially exceeding 60 inches. For lengths beyond this, it’s best to contact the Digital Media Lab staff to discuss options.
- Paper Type: Posters are printed on heavyweight, satin-finish photo paper, providing a professional and durable finish to your prints.
- File Type: Ensure your poster file is submitted as a PDF. This format ensures accurate printing and avoids compatibility issues.
- Cost: Poster printing is priced at $0.02 per square inch, or $2.88 per square foot. The exact cost will be calculated once your poster is printed and you will be notified via email.
- Turnaround Time: Plan ahead as poster printing requires processing time:
- Spring and Fall Semesters: Allow for a 3 business day notice.
- Summer (June – August) and January: A 5 business day notice is required.
- Copies per Submission: For standard submissions, you can request up to 3 copies of your poster. If you require more, it’s necessary to contact the Digital Media Lab at least 10 business days in advance to seek approval.
How to Submit Your Poster for Printing
Submitting your poster for printing is a straightforward online process.
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Prepare Your File: Ensure your poster file is in PDF format and adheres to the dimension and resolution guidelines. It’s crucial that your file is print-ready, as the Digital Media Lab focuses solely on printing submissions as they are provided. They do not offer formatting, editing, or scaling services.
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Submit Online: Use the online submission form provided by the Digital Media Lab. You can upload multiple files, but each must be under the 1GB file size limit.
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Large Files: If your poster file exceeds 1GB, utilize a cloud storage service and share the file with the Digital Media Lab’s service email: [email protected].
Payment Methods for Poster Printing
To pay for your poster printing, the Digital Media Lab accepts the following payment methods:
- UCard: This is the university’s official ID card and can be used for payment.
- Guest Card: If you don’t have a UCard, you can purchase a Guest Card from terminals located in the Lower Level of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library. These cards require a $1 deposit and accept $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills.
- Department Copy/Print Card: University departments can utilize Department Copy/Print Cards. These can be obtained from the UCard Office with an official speedtype#.
Please note that cash, credit cards, and debit cards are not accepted forms of payment for printing services. You can add money to your UCard or purchase a Guest Card at the terminals in the library’s Lower Level.
Departments Paying for Student Posters
For university departments that will be covering the cost of student posters, a specific process is in place to streamline payment:
- File Size Check: Departments should ensure the student’s poster file is correctly sized for printing to avoid delays.
- Student Submission: Students must submit their poster files individually through the standard online webform.
- Printing and Notification: The Digital Media Lab will print the posters and notify students about pickup times and locations via email.
- Cost Notification: The poster printing staff will then email the department the final cost for the prints.
- Department Payment: Departments can pay using Department Copy and Print Cards, which can be requested from the UCard Office.
Departments can initiate this process by using the Department Paying for Students Request Form:
Department Paying for Students Request Form
By utilizing the Digital Media Lab at the library, you have a reliable and accessible answer to the question, “where can I print posters?” Ensure you prepare your files according to the guidelines and allow sufficient turnaround time to get your posters printed professionally for your next presentation, event, or project.
