LABPRINTING PC
GUIDE AND TIPS
LIST OF PRINTERS
MCC Computer Lab
Machinery Building, 1st Floor
Duplex printing is available,
but printers do not staple or fold
•MCC-BW
•MCC-COLOR
•MCC-THESIS-01
EDS Computer Lab
Engineering Building, 2nd Floor
Duplex printing is available,
but printers do not staple or fold
•EDS-BW
•EDS-COLOR
SOC – Specialty Output Center
Engineering Building, 2nd Floor
*Media and printable width vary.
Always check before sending job to plotter.
•
EDS-PLOTTER-01 through
EDS-PLOTTER-11
DOC Lab
Engineering Building, 2nd Floor
DOC-PLOTTER-06 has a maximum 59.5”
printable width, while all others have 35.5”
•
DOC-PLOTTERS-01 though
DOC-PLOTTERS-08
2 LAB PRINT GUIDE
HHL Lab
Higgings Hall, 3rd Floor
Duplex printing is available for laser
printers, but printers do not staple or fold
•HHL-BW
•HHL-COLOR
HHL-PLOTTER-06 has a maximum 59.5”
printable width, while all others have 35.5”
•
HHL-PLOTTER-01 through
HHL-PLOTTER-06
FML – Foundation Media Lab
Main Building, 3rd Floor
No duplex printing, no 11 x 17”
•FML-BW
•FML-COLOR
FML-PLOTTER-01 has a maximum 23.5”
printable width. Consult Manager for available stock.
•FML-PLOTTER-01
SAT – Satellite Computer Labs
WTC – Writing Center, North Hall, 2nd Floor
LRC – Language Resource Ceter, Dekalb Hall, 4th Floor
ADE – Art & Design Education Lab, Main Building, 2nd Floor
No duplex printing, no 11 x 17”
•LRC-404-BW
•LRC-406-BW
•LRC-408-BW
•
ADE-205-01 *B&W paper only.
Color prints reduced to $0.50 per page.
•WTC-101A-BW
POLICIES
This print guide has been created to help you properly prepare your digital files when prininging your work in the Academic
Computing department labs. All work must be properly formatted to these specifications in order to ensure accuracy. See
page 5 for further instructions.
• A unique PDF preset has been created by our Print Specialist that ensures print accuracy when printing in our labs. All
PDFs must be created in our labs using our “ DOC_PDFpresets” before sending to print. Do not send any other file type.
• Print issues that arise from not following the workflow in this guide will be considered a user error and will be
ineligible for a print credit or reprint. Once media has been spent (i.e., a job has printed) no print credits or reprints
will be given for user errors, including jobs accidentally sent to the wrong printer.
• Print credits are given at the discretion of the lab managers for legitimate issues. Should you experience a print issue, ask
to speak to the nearest manager. Managers are available to assist Monday – Thursday from 10am – 10pm, Fridays from 10am
–4pm, and Sundays from 3pm – 9pm. Please check posted signs for manager availability during special holiday hours and
“Extended Hours” during finals. If a manager is unavailable to assist, speak to the nearest student monitor for instructions
on how to log your issue. Problem logs must be filed for print issues and then addressed within one week of
experiencing the issue or your claim will be forfeited. Problem logs for large format print issues must be addressed
with the DOC lab manager within one week or risk forfeiture.
• If you experience an issue, DO NOT re-send the same job without first speaking to and receiving approval from a
manager – doing so will forfeit any possible print credit or reprint you may have been entitled to – even for legitimate
print errors!
• Do not accept (i.e., walk away with) any prints that have issues – doing so indicates that you have accepted the print
“as-is” and forfeit any possible print credit or reprint you may have been entitled to.
• Prints will be held in the labs for one week and then discarded.
• The department has a 24 – 48 hour turn around time on large format print jobs. Do not wait until the last minute to
send your work to the plotter. Print early, especially during finals!
• Food, liquids of any kind, phone conversations, cutting, gluing or any other non-digital activity are prohibited in the
Academic Computing labs.
• You may only use one computer at a time.
• Never share your Pratt ID card or Pratt OneKey credentials. Security will be contacted and Disciplinary action will
be taken.
LAB PRINT GUIDE 3
PRICING
Black and White Laser Printing
Paper: Xerox Digital Laser Opaque 18lb
8.5” x 11” Page$0.05
11” x 17” Page$0.10
Thesis Printing
Paper: Library-Approved* Strathmore Script 100% PC Smooth Acid-Free Watermarked 24lb
Single-sided B&W Page$0.50
Duplexed B&W Page$0.95
Single-sided Color Page$1.25
Duplexed Color Page$2.45
Duplexed Color or B&W Offset Page
$1.70
Color Laser Prints
Paper: Hammermill Digital Color 32lb Bond
8.5” x 11” Page
$0.99 11” x 17” Page$1.99
12” x 18” Page
$2.15 *Available only from the EDS Computer Lab
Large Format Printing (Standard)
Heavy Weight Coated (35.5” printable width)
Heavy Weight Coated (59.5” printable width)
$3.25 per linear foot
$6.25 per linear foot
Large Format Printing (Specialty Medias)
*Always check with manager regarding specialty media availability for plotting
*All prices per linear foot
Premium Instant-Dry Photo Gloss or Satin (60”) $12.50
Premium Instant Dry Photo Gloss or Satin (36”) $7.50
Vellum (36”)$7.50
Hahnemuehle Fine Art Photo 308gsm (24”)
$7.50
Hahnemuehle fine Art Photo 308gsm (44”)
$14.00
Transluscent Bond (24”)$2.75
Self Adhesive Vinyl (42”)
$14.00
High-Quality Single Knit (50”)
$10.00
Clear Film (acetate) (36”)
$8.50
Vivid Color Backlit Film (36”)
$7.50
Professional Matte Canvas (36”)
$18.00
Polyester Matte Film (36”)
$9.50
Matte Film Mylar (36”)
$7.50
HP Matt Litho Realistic* (36”)
$12.00
LexJet Sunset Velvet Rag* (36”)
$14.00
LexJet WR Satin Fabric* (60”)
$16.50
Artist Canvas (58”)$9.00
Photo Gloss or Satin 240gsm (24”)
$4.50
Polyester Rag (58”)$10.00
Sunset Velvet Rag (44”)
$17.25
Organza (52”)$12.50
Crepe de Chine (42”)
$13.25
Cotton Broadcloth (54”)$9.00
Cotton Stretch Denim (50”)
$11.50
Cotton Duck (58”)$11.50
Belgian Linen (52”)$12.50
Nylon Lycra (54”)$16.00
Bamboo Twill (50”)$12.50
Fine Art Photo 188gsm (24”)
$6.50
4 LAB PRINT GUIDE
Hand-Sueded Microfiber (58”)
$11.00
Chiffon (40”)
$15.00
PRINTING TIPS
Avoid the most common printing problems:
Make sure your files use Adobe Creative Cloud’s default color space.
Make sure any and all type in your file is outlined and all layers are flattened or merged.
Make sure all non-printing elements are removed from your file before creating your PDF.
This is especially important in Illustrator and InDesign.
Make sure all embedded images in your Illustrator and InDesign files are flattened and uncompressed.
Make sure the PDF files you wish to print are saved locally on the lab computer, not on an external hard
drive or directly from the web.
Always use the “DOC_PDFpresets” preset when creating your PDF files.
Make sure to properly and uniquely name your file, not something generic like “print.pdf” or common
names like “smith_final” or “kim_final.”
Remember your file name and know your Pratt One Key and ID Number. Managers cannot assist you
without that information.
Always send standard page sizes to the laser-jet printers – 8.5x11, 11x17 or 12x18 (available from EDS
only). International page sizes are not supported.
Make sure to choose the same printer in both the “Page Setup” and “Print” dialogue box in Adobe
Acrobat Pro. Triple-check you are sending to the correct printer when at the release station.
Always check what stocks are loaded on the large format plotters when printing on specialty media.
Check the notice board inside the SOC (Specialty Output Center) lab before sending your job in order
to avoid printing on the wrong stock.
Do not send booklets, multi-page documents, or multiple copies of single pages to the plotters.
When plotting, make sure your longest axis does not exceed the printable width of the loaded media. Always
double-check your page size and orientation to ensure your file will print properly and not be automatically resized.
See page 13 for instructions.
After entering your OneKey credentials in the Equitrac Print Assistant dialogue box, allow the price to
calculate before clicking “Accept.” If the cost doesn’t finish calculating, your job will not be sent to the
release station.
Never hesitate to ask for help if you have issues or questions after reading this print guide.
If you find any discrepancies when using this guide, please report it to a nearby manager.
LAB PRINT GUIDE 5
PHOTOSHOP
FORMATTING YOUR PHOTOSHOP FILE
1. If your image contains multiple layers,
they must be flattened. Go to:
Layer > Flatten Image (fig. 1)
2. Save your image as a .jpg or .tif file. Select:
File > Save As. (fig. 2)
Name your file, then in the “Format” drop down menu select your desired file type.
Click “SAVE”
NOTE: If saving a .tif file, make sure to
save “as a copy,” not as layers.
This image is now ready to be incorporated into any
CC application or to be saved as a PDF file for print.
(1)
3. With your CC Photoshop Project open select:
File > Save As. Select “Photoshop PDF” as your file format.
Rename your file if you choose, then click “SAVE.”
4. In the next dialogue box be sure that “DOC_PDFpresets”
is selected as your Adobe PDF preset and that you save your
work locally to the computer. (fig. 4)
Click “Save PDF”
You are now ready to output your project to a printer or
plotter using Adobe Acrobat.
(3)
6 LAB PRINT GUIDE
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ILLUSTRATOR
FORMATTING YOUR ILLUSTRATOR FILE
1. With your Illustrator file open, go to:
Select > Object > All Text Objects. (fig. 1)
This will select all the type in your file.
2. Go to: Type > Create Outlines.
3. Next, flatten your file. Click the small arrow in the top
right of the layers palette.
Click: “Flatten Artwork”
4. Click: File > Save As.
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Select Adobe PDF as your file Format.
Rename your file if you choose.
Click “SAVE”
5. In the next dialogue box, be sure that “DOC_
PDFpresets” is selected as your Adobe PDF preset
and that you save your work locally to the computer.
Click “Save PDF”
You are now ready to output your project to a printer or plotter using Adobe Acrobat.
(2)
(3)
(4)
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LAB PRINT GUIDE 7
INDESIGN
FORMATTING YOUR INDESIGN FILE
*Make sure you have created an InDesign
document that is intented for printing.
1. With your InDesign file open, make
sure that all layers are merged.
In the layers tab, select all of your
layers and then right click.
Click “Merge Layers” (fig. 1)
(1)
Also make sure that all images and elements
are properly linked to your file.
2. Convert all your text to outlines.
Choose: Edit > Select All (fig. 2)
Choose: Type > Create Outlines (fig. 3)
3. After outlining your text, save your file as
a new file so as not to override your work.
Example:
jsmithbook_flattened.indd”
You are now ready to Export your file to PDF
using the instuctions on the next page.
(2)
8 LAB PRINT GUIDE
(3)
CREATING A PRINTABLE PDF DOCUMENT
FROM YOUR FORMATTED INDESIGN FILE
4. Go to: File > Export (fig. 4)
5. Double check that you are exporting your work
locally to the computer and that Adobe PDF (Print)
is selected in the format drop down menu. (fig. 5)
Rename your project if you wish.
(4)
Click “OK”
Click “Save”
6. In the Export Adobe PDF Dialogue box, check that
“DOC_PDFpresets” is selected as the Adobe PDF
preset. (fig. 6)
Click “Export”
You are now ready to output your project to a printer or plotter using Adobe Acrobat.
(5)
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LAB PRINT GUIDE 9
AUTOCAD
FORMATTING YOUR AUTOCAD FILE
1. Click the “Layout 1” tab in the lower left corner to give
you the AutoCAD default page size. (fig. 1)
(1)
2. Right click the “Layout 1” tab to open the
“Page Setup Manager”. Create a new layout or
modify the existing AutoCAD default. (fig. 2)
(2)
3. In the “Page Setup - Model” dialogue box under
“Printer/plotter” select “Adobe PDF”. (fig. 3)
With Adobe PDF as your printer, click the
“Properties” button to the immediate right.
In the “Plotter Configuration Editor,” under “Device
and Document Settings” select the “Custom
Properties” button. (fig. 4)
In the “Adobe PDF Document Properties”
menu, navigate to the “Layout” tab on
the left and click “Advanced.” (fig. 5)
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10 LAB PRINT GUIDE
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FORMATTING YOUR AUTOCAD FILE CONTINUED
6. Under “Paper Output,” select the
”Paper Size” drop down menu.
Choose: “Postscript Custom Page Size.” (fig. 6)
The “Postscript Custom Page Size” dialog box
will open. Enter your desired dimensions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are sending to a 36” plotter and any of your
file’s dimensions exceed 35.5”, you MUST choose
”Short Edge First” as your “Paper Feed Direction.”
If you are sending to a 60” plotter, choose
(6) “Short Edge First” if any axis exceeds 59.5”
7. Click “OK” to return to the “Page
Setup” dialogue box.
You will be prompted to save your settings.
Click “OK”
8. Click “OK” once more to return to
the main workspace. Now, format your
drawing to fit the new page size.
Double-clicking on the page allows you
to resize the drawing frame; doubleclicking inside the model space allows you
to move the drawing within its frame.
(7) Check the scale toolbar on the lower right-hand side
to make sure your drawing is sized correctly. (fig. 8)
9. When you are ready to print your layout,
click on the “A” menu browser in the
upper-left and select: Print > Plot.
10. Ensure that the selected printer is “Adobe
PDF pc3” and NOT “Adobe PDF”. Double
check that “Postscript Custom Page Size”
is selected and that your desired size is
previewed in the “Printer/Plotter” area.
12. Click OK. Now choose a name for
your PDF and open it in Adobe Acrobat.
(8) You are now ready to output to the
physical printer or plotter.
LAB PRINT GUIDE 11
REVIT
FORMATTING YOUR REVIT FILE
1. Click “R” and choose “Print.” (fig. 1)
The “Print” dialogue box will open.
2. Select “Adobe PDF” as your printer then
click the “Properties” button. (fig. 2)
3. When the “Adobe PDF Document Properties”
dialogue box opens, select the “Layout” tab.
Check that your orientation is set as “Portrait” and
then click the “Advanced” button at the bottom.
(1)
The “Adobe PDF Converter Advanced
Options” dialogue box will open. (fig. 3)
4. Select the “Paper Size” drop down menu and
choose “Postscript Custom Page Size.” (fig. 4)
Then click the “Edit” button to the right. This
will open the “Post Script Page Size Definition”
dialogue box.
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(3)
12 LAB PRINT GUIDE
(4)
FORMATTING YOUR REVIT FILE CONTINUED
5. In the “PostScript Custom Page Size Definition”
dialogue box, enter your desired dimensions. (fig. 5)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
(5)
If you are sending to a 36” plotter and any of your
file’s dimensions exceed 35.5”, you MUST choose
”Short Edge First” as your “Paper Feed Direction.”
If you are sending to a 60” plotter, choose
“Short Edge First” if any axis exceeds 59.5”
Click “OK”
The “Save PDF File As” dialogue box will launch.
6. In the “Save PDF As” dialogue box, be sure
that you save you work locally to the computer.
Re-name your file here if you desire.
(6)
Double check that your file type is “PDF” and then
click “Save”. The PC PDF Print Driver will create your
printable pdf and automatically open it in Acrobat.
You are now ready to output to the
physical printer or plotter. Contine to
page 14 for plotting instructions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
When printing your PDF file created from a
Revit file, you MUST use the “Print As Image”
mode. This is accessable by clicking the
(7A) “Advanced” button in Acrobat’s “Print”
dialogue box. (fig. 7a & 7b)
(7B)
LAB PRINT GUIDE 13
LARGE-FORMAT
PLOTTERS
PRINTING TO LARGE-FORMAT PLOTTERS
Plotters include ALL DOC plotters (HW
coated paper only) & EDS plotters
(specialty stocks and photo output).
1. In Adobe Acrobat, choose: File > Print
In the print dialogue box, select the appropriate plotter.
(fig. 1)
A list of available printers and
paper information can be found
on page 2 of this guide.
BEFORE YOU PRINT:
Do NOT send multiple documents,
booklets, or multiple copies of a single
page to the plotters. Send only ONE
properly formatted PDF file at a time.
Print ONLY files saved locally to the computer.
Do NOT print from a CD, flash drive, external
drive, LMS, the internet, your email, cloud
storage or any other external source.
Do NOT send PDFs created on your laptop or
home / personal computer. Only PDFs created
in the labs using the “DOC_PDFpresets”
preset should be sent to the plotters.
(1)
2. Click the “Properties” button.
3. A new “Document Properties” box will open.
Click the “Advanced” button at the bottom of that
box. (fig. 2)
Print errors caused by poorly formatted
files (not following our workflow explained
in thisguide) or PDFs created that did not
use our “DOC_PDFpresets” preset will
not be eligible for print credit or reprint.
(2)
14 LAB PRINT GUIDE
PRINTING TO LARGE-FORMAT PLOTTER
CONTINUED
4. A new “Advanced Options” box will open.
Click the “Paper Size” drop down menu and select “PostScript Custom Page Size” (fig. 3)
5. In the new “PostScript Custom Page Size
Definition” menu, set the height and width
of your document in portrait orientation.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
If one edge is longer than the maximum printable
width of your chosen plotter, you MUST SELECT
”SHORT EDGE FIRST” for “Paper Feed Direction”
TO CORRECTLY SCALE YOUR PRINT. (fig. 4)
For example, if you are sending a 36”x48” file
to a plotter with a maximum printable width
of 35.5”, you must choose “short edge first.”
Otherwise the 48” edge will print first, but will
be automatically / incorrectly scaled to fit.
In all other cases, select ”Long Edge First.”
If you do not follow these directions, your file will
be automatically resized and will print incorrectly.
(4)
5. Click “OK” to return to the main, “Print”
dialogue box. Under “Page Size & Handling”
select “Actual Size” to correctly scale
your document to the page. (fig. 5)
6. Click ”Print” only after you have
addressed all of these settings.
*See page 20 for Equitrac login instructions.
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LAB PRINT GUIDE 15
BOOKLET PRINTING
PRINTING A BOOKLET TO A LASERJET PRINTER
This step-by-step guide supposes that you
wish to print and 11x17” booklet.
In order to ensure proper layout, make sure that
your original InDesign file had a page count that is a
multiple of four – four, eight, sixteen pages, etc.)
The Laser Jet printers in the Academic Computing labs
do not offer finishing options. Additionally, full bleed
printing is not available, unless you design your bleed
within the printable area of your file (10.5x16.5”).
1. In Adobe Acrobat, rotate your PDF booklet
so that the pages are vertically orientated.
Select: View > Rotate View > Clockwise (fig. 1)
2. Click: File > Print
Choose your desired laser printer.
3. Click ”Page Setup...” and choose ”11x17”
(tabloid) paper size and click ”OK.” (fig. 2)
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4. Click ”Properties.”
The properties tab will take a moment to load.
For printing to Color LaserJet Printers:
Once the ”Properties” box has loaded,choose ”Layout” from the options. In the ”2-sided Printing” drop down menu choose
”Short Edge Binding.” Click ”OK.” (fig. 3a)
For printing to B&W LaserJet Printers:
Once the ”Properties” box
has loaded, select the ”Printing Shortcuts” tab from the
options. In the ”Print on both
sides” drop down menu, choose ”Yes, flip up.”
Click ”OK.” (fig. 3b)
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5. In the main ”Print” dialogue box, make sure that
the page sizing option is set to ”Actual size” and that
the preview of the document looks appropriate.
Click ”Print”
*See page 21 for Equitrac login instructions.
16 LAB PRINT GUIDE
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COLOR LASER PRINTERS
PRINTING TO COLOR LASERJET PRINTERS
1. In Adobe Acrobat, select: File > Print
Choose your desired laser printer.
2. Click the ”Page Setup...” button on the bottom right of the ”Print” dialogue box
and select your appropriate leter size (US
standard sizes ONLY) and orientation. (fig. 1)
3. Back, in the main ”Print” dialogue box, be sure
that ”Size Options” is set to ”Actual Size.” (fig. 2)
(1)
Click ”Print” to send your job to the printer.
*See page 21 for Equitrac login instructions.
(2)
ADDITIONAL STEP: DUPLEX PRINTING
4a. Click the “Properties” button. (It
may take a moment to load). In the
“Properties” dialogue box, Select the
“Fiery Printing” tab.
4b. Then select the “Basic” tab in the menu along
the top. Under the “2-sided Printing” drop down
menu, select your desired binding edge. Click “OK.”
*This function is only available in the EDS MCC,
and HHL labs for letter and 11x17” page sizes.
LAB PRINT GUIDE 17
B&W PRINTERS
PRINTING TO B&W LASERJET PRINTERS
1. With your PDF file opened in Adobe Acrobat, choose:
File > Print.
2. Under “Printer”, choose the appropriate printer for
the lab you are in:
a. EDS-BW
b. MCC-BW
c. HHL-BW
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3. Click the “Properties” buttom (next to “Printer”).
a. Click the “Printing Shortcuts” tab on the right.
b. Under “Paper Sizes,” choose
your appropriate paper size. (fig. 2)
*Send only US standard sizes: letter, 11x17” & 12x18” – available in EDS only.
c.Click “OK” to return to the main “Print” dialogue box.
4. Click “Print” to send your job to the printer.
(2)
*See page 21 for Equitrac login instructions.
FOR DUPLEX (DOUBLE-SIDED) PRINTING:
5a. Click the “Properties” button.
Once the ”Properties” box has loaded, select
the ”Printing Shortcuts” tab from the options.
5b. In the ”Print on both sides” drop down menu,
choose your desired orientation and binding
edge.
Select “Yes, flip over” for long-edge binding.
Select “Yes, flip up” for short edge binding.
Ensure your choices are correct in the preview
on the right side of the dialog box. Click “OK.”
*Duplex printing is only available for
letter and 11x17” page sizes.
18 LAB PRINT GUIDE
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THESIS PRINTER
PRINTING THESIS PAPERS
1. Open your Microsoft Word file. Choose:
File > Print
2. In the “Printer” drop down menu, choose:
“MCC-THESIS”
3. Click “Print” to send your job
to the thesis printer.
*See page 21 for Equitrac login instructions.
*Equitrac automatically calculates the
price for color or B&W thesis pages.
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LAB PRINT GUIDE 19
EQUITRAC
RELEASING TO A PRINTER / PLOTTER
1. After you click ”Print” from Adobe Acrobat
or Microsoft Word, the Equitrac Express Print
Assistant will pop up and prompt you to login using your OneKey information. (fig. 1)
This is the same ID and password you
use to log into the computer.
(1)
2. Cost Preview:
After entering your ID and password, the cost
of the document will be calculated. (fig. 2)
To avoid pint errors, do NOT click
”Accept” until the price shows up.
If the price is incorrect or does not
show up, check your settings and then
ask a lab monitor for assistance.
*Pricing information can be found
on page 2 of this document.
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20 LAB PRINT GUIDE
RELEASING TO A
PRINTER / PLOTTER CONTINUED
3. At the Release Station:
After clicking ”Accept” on the Equitrac Print Assistant
box, you must go to a release station to release your
print.
(3)
3a. Swipe your PrattCard or enter your username
and password using a keyboard to log into the station.
3b. Select the jobs you wish to
release. Double check that you are
sending the correct job to the correct printer!
3c. Click ”Print”
3d. The Payment Selection window will prompt you to choose your payment method. (fig. 3)
Print Account: is the $10.00 print allotment
every student receives each semester.
Account – Pratt Bucks: is the money you’ve
deposited into your PrattCard. Ask for
assistance if you see an inaccurate balance amount.
5. Select your preferred payment method and
click “OK” to send your job to the printer.
If you have difficulty releasing your prints
or if they Payment Selection window
doesn’t show up, ask for assistance.
LAB PRINT GUIDE 21