Navigating the printing system at MIT might seem daunting at first, but it’s designed to be user-friendly and efficient for all members of the community. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Mit Printing, from setting up your print job to releasing it at a convenient location. Whether you’re printing academic papers, research documents, or personal projects, understanding the ins and outs of MIT printing will save you time and hassle.
Understanding MIT Printing Basics
Naming Your Print Job and Setting a Password
When you send a document to print, you have the option to give it a unique job name. This is incredibly useful for easily identifying your print job on the printer screen, especially during busy periods. You can either choose a custom name or simply use the default, which is usually the filename of your document. For documents with generic or confusing filenames, setting a specific job name for your MIT printing task is highly recommended.
For added security, the MIT printing system allows you to password-protect your print jobs. This ensures that only you can release your documents. It’s crucial to remember this password.
What Happens If You Forget Your Print Job Password?
Mistakes happen! If you forget the password you set for your MIT printing job, unfortunately, the only solution is to resend the print job to the print release station. For security reasons, no one else, including MIT staff, can release a password-protected print job. To avoid this inconvenience, choose a password that is easy for you to recall when you are using MIT printing services.
Cost of Printing at MIT
One of the great perks for the MIT community is that printing is free for members of the MIT community. This applies to students, faculty, and staff. Take advantage of this resource for your academic and research needs.
You can access MIT printing services from library computers or your personal devices, provided you have the Pharos print software installed. Before you finalize your print, always utilize the print preview option. This feature not only lets you review your document’s layout but also provides a page count, allowing you to select specific pages for MIT printing and conserve paper.
For more detailed information about your printing balance (though it should be free), or to explore mobile printing options, visit print.mit.edu.
Printing Efficiently with MIT Systems
Selecting Specific Pages for Printing
To save paper and ensure you only print what you need, MIT printing allows you to select specific pages from your documents.
For web pages, Microsoft Word, or Excel documents, use the “Print Preview” command found in your browser’s or application’s file menu. This preview will help you determine and select the exact pages you need before sending your job to MIT printing.
For e-journals or documents where “Print Preview” might not be readily available, look for thumbnail images. These can often help you identify and select the pages you wish to print.
Once you know your page range, go to “Print” from the file menu and enter the desired page numbers or range in the “Page Range” section. Always double-check the number of pages in the print queue at the Print Release Station before fully releasing your MIT printing job to avoid errors.
Knowing Your Printer Names and Locations
For mobile MIT printing, knowing the specific printer names for each library location is essential. Here’s a handy list of printer names within MIT Libraries:
- Barker Library: barker-color.mit.edu; barker-color2.mit.edu
- Dewey Library: dewey-color.mit.edu; dewey-color2.mit.edu; virus-p.mit.edu (black&white)
- Hayden Library: haydencolor-print.mit.edu; haydencolor2-print.mit.edu; hayden-p.mit.edu (black&white)
- Lewis Music Library: lewis-color.mit.edu
- Rotch Library: Rotch-color.mit.edu; Rotch-color2.mit.edu
Remember to wait until you are actually in the library location to release your mobile print jobs. Unclaimed print jobs are recycled by library staff to maintain efficiency and security within the MIT printing system.
Releasing and Accessing Your Prints
How to Release Your MIT Print Jobs
MIT uses the Pharos printing system, which allows you to release your print jobs from any Pharos printer across campus. To use MIT printing with Pharos, you’ll need a Kerberos ID and an active MIT ID card with RFID. You can send print jobs to a Pharos printer from any MIT Log-in computer.
When printing from an MIT computer to a black & white printer, select the printer named mitprint.
For color printing on an MIT computer, choose the printer named mitprint-color. This simple selection ensures your job is routed correctly within the MIT printing network.
Printing from Your Mobile Device
For convenient MIT printing from your phone or tablet, use MobilePrint. This service allows you to upload documents to the central Pharos queue and release them at any Pharos printer. MobilePrint is accessible via web browsers and mobile-responsive pages, making MIT printing incredibly flexible. You can access MobilePrint at https://print.mit.edu/.
Printing from Your Laptop
If you prefer to print from your laptop, MIT supports wireless printing to Pharos printers in the libraries. For detailed instructions on setting up wireless MIT printing from your laptop, please refer to Pharos Public Student Printing at MIT. This resource provides a step-by-step guide to get you connected and printing seamlessly.
Conclusion
MIT printing services are designed to be accessible, efficient, and free for the MIT community. By understanding how to name your jobs, manage passwords, select printers, and utilize mobile and laptop printing options, you can make the most of the resources available. Whether you are in Barker, Dewey, Hayden, Lewis Music, or Rotch Library, MIT’s printing system is ready to support your academic and research endeavors. Take advantage of these excellent resources and ensure your MIT printing experience is always smooth and productive.
