Printing documents is a common need for students, faculty, and staff at MIT. Understanding how to effectively use the MIT printing system, known as Pharos printing, can save you time and ensure your documents are printed correctly and securely. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about printing at MIT, from setting up your print job to releasing it at a printer near you.
Setting Up Your Print Job: Job Names and Passwords
When you send a document to print at MIT, you have the option to personalize your print job with a unique name. This feature is incredibly useful for easily identifying your print job among others at the release station. You can either choose a specific job name or stick with the default, which often uses the document’s file name. Given that file names can sometimes be unclear, taking a moment to set a recognizable job name can be a helpful step in streamlining your printing process.
For added security, especially when printing sensitive documents, you can also set a password for your print job. This ensures that only you can release your prints.
What to Do if You Forget Your Print Job Password
If you happen to forget the password you set for a print job, unfortunately, there’s no way to retrieve it. For security reasons, and to protect your documents, the system doesn’t allow password recovery. In this situation, you’ll need to resend your document to the print queue and set a new password that you can easily remember. It’s best to choose a password that is memorable to avoid this inconvenience.
Printing Costs for the MIT Community
A significant benefit for members of the MIT community is that printing is free. This service is provided to support the academic and research activities of MIT members.
To utilize the free printing service, you can print from library computers or your personal devices as long as you have the Pharos print software installed. It’s always recommended to use the print preview feature before sending your job. Print preview allows you to review your document, confirm the page count, and select specific pages for printing, saving both paper and time.
For more information about your printing balance (though it will show as free for eligible users) or to explore mobile printing options, you can visit print.mit.edu.
Printing Specific Pages from Your Documents
MIT’s printing system allows you to print only the pages you need, whether you’re printing from a web page, a Word document, or an Excel file.
For web pages, MS Word, or Excel documents, the “Print Preview” option is your go-to tool. Usually found under the “File” menu of your browser or application, “Print Preview” lets you see all the pages of your document before printing. You can then determine the exact page range you need.
For e-journals or documents where “Print Preview” might not be readily available, look for thumbnail images of the pages. These thumbnails can help you identify and select the pages you want to print.
Once you know your page range, go to the “Print” menu (also under “File”). In the print settings, you will find a “Page Range” section where you can enter the specific page numbers or range you wish to print.
Before releasing your print job at the Print Release Station, always double-check the number of pages listed in the print queue to ensure it matches what you intended to print.
Printer Names and Locations Across MIT Libraries
Mobile printing at MIT requires you to know the specific printer names for each library location. Here’s a list of printer names for different 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
It’s important to wait until you are physically at the library before releasing your mobile print jobs. Print jobs that are not retrieved promptly are recycled by library staff to maintain efficiency and security.
Releasing Your Print Jobs at MIT
The Pharos printing system at MIT uses a print release system. This means you can send your print job from virtually any MIT computer and release it at any Pharos printer across campus. To use Pharos printing, you need a Kerberos ID and an active MIT ID card with RFID. Printing to Pharos printers is accessible 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 from an MIT computer, choose the printer named mitprint-color.
Mobile Printing from Your Own Device
MIT MobilePrint offers a convenient way to print from your personal devices. You can upload documents to the central Pharos printing queue using MobilePrint. Then, you can release these jobs at any Pharos printer on campus. MobilePrint is accessible through both web browsers and mobile devices, thanks to its responsive design.
Printing from Your Laptop on the MIT Network
If you prefer to print from your laptop, you can do so wirelessly to any of the Pharos printers in the MIT Libraries. For detailed instructions on setting up wireless printing and more information about the Pharos Public Student Printing system, please refer to Pharos Public Student Printing at MIT.
By following these guidelines, you can efficiently manage your printing needs at MIT, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Remember to utilize the resources available at print.mit.edu for any further assistance or information.
