Pharos Poster Printing OIT Large Format Printer/Plotter in ERB 1102: INSTRUCTIONS R5 – 4/18/14

BEFORE YOU BEGIN  Please read entire instruction manual carefully.  If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint, your poster needs to be on a single slide to ensure that your poster prints correctly. (Steps for using Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, and Adobe illustrator are similar, and can be used if preferred.)  Replenishing supplies is costly. Precisely follow the instructions. Double check everything to ensure your poster is printed as desired. A second print attempt will be charged to you, unless the plotter itself malfunctions.  If anything at all seems wrong, out of place, or you would just like someone to double check your work, talk to the Lab Support Staff. It’s why we’re here! :) Page 1

Before Printing About Image Quality: Page 2  If you are using ANY kinds of images, ensure they are high definition, as anything less will come out pixelated/distorted when printed.  To see if your poster will come out distorted, zoom in on it in PPT. The following chart will tell you how far to zoom in based on how big your poster is meant to be once it has printed: Length of Longest SidePercent to Zoom To 11.5 inches100% 22 inches200% 36 inches330% 44 inches400% (x) Inches(10 · x)%

Plotter Printing  Open up your poster in Microsoft PowerPoint.  Click the Design tab at the top of the program, and on the right side of the toolbar, click the button labeled Slide Size.  Select Custom Slide Size.  If your poster is not the standard size (36 in by 44 in), then skip to Page 9. Page 3

Plotter Printing  In the “Slides Sized For” drop down box, pick Custom. In the fields below, change the Width to 44 in and Height to 36 in. Click OK.  The next dialog box will give you the option of “Ensure Fit” or “Maximize”. Select Ensure Fit.  If your poster contains one single image, right click that image and select Size and Position. The side panel opens up with “Size and Position” options. If your poster is made up of multiple items, ignore this step. Page 4

Plotter Printing  For posters OTHER than standard size (36 in by 44 in), refer to pages  Once you’re sure it looks right, click File, then Print. For the printer, select the Plotter (BSU Plotter Pearlcreek on PEARLCREEK).  Click Printer Properties. Page 6

Plotter Printing  Under the Paper/Quality tab, open the ‘Quick Sets’ and select Poster. Under ‘Paper Options’ click Custom.  Under “Document Size”, change the Width to 36 in, and Length to 44 in. Change the name to Poster and click Save and then click OK.  Click OK, then click OK again to return to the PowerPoint Print Preview screen. Page 7

Plotter Printing  Your poster should fit the entire preview screen with a small white edge—this is because the plotter only has a printable range up to the last quarter-inch of the poster on all sides.  If the poster does not fit the description, consult the Lab Support Staff!  If the preview looks correct, then click the print button at the top and enter your information in Pharos to print your poster. Then swipe your print card out in the hallway to send the job to the Plotter, and the Lab Staff will help you retrieve the job.  SKIP TO PAGE 12 Page 8 OIT Helpful info!

Page 9 Plotter Printing For posters OTHER than 36” by 44”:  In the “Slides Sized For” drop down box, pick Custom. In the fields below, select the size of poster that you’d like to create.

Plotter Printing  The next dialog box will give you the option of “Ensure Fit,” or “Maximize.” Select Ensure Fit.  Right click on your poster, select Size and Position. The side panel opens up with Size and Position options.  Deselect Lock Aspect Ratio if applicable.  In the fields above, change the Width and Height to the same size entered for the slide. Enter  Make sure you poster is centered on the slide. Now your slide and poster are the same size.  Double check your poster to make sure it is the way you want it. Page 10

Plotter Printing Page 11  Go to File and click Print. A preview screen like this should appear with your poster not fitting the scale of the page.  Select BSU-Plotter Pearlcreek on PEARLCREEK as the printer.  Click Printer Properties.

Page 12 Plotter Printing  Under the Paper/Quality tab, open the ‘Quick Sets’ drop-down menu, and select Poster. Under Document size, click Custom.  Enter the same dimensions you entered under Page Setup for the size of your poster (Page 9). In this case, it will force you to make width the shorter of the two sides—this is okay!  Name the custom size by it’s dimensions—here, it’s 34hx9.75w, as that’s what is entered in these fields. Click Save, then OK.

Page 13 Plotter Printing  Now click on the Features tab.  Under Resizing Options, click Print Document On: and select the custom setting you just created.  Look at the document preview on the right; if it shows the poster is oriented so the long side is vertical, make sure to select the Rotate by 90 Degrees option. This lays it down, long edge first. (If your poster is 36”x44” or larger, DO NOT check the Rotate by 90 box)  Note: Make sure the width of your poster does not exceed the width of the paper. SEE STAFF FOR HELP!  Now click OK to return to the Print Preview screen.

Page 14 Plotter Printing  Your poster should now be centered. A slight margin is to be expected.  Under slides, click Full-Paged Slides, and select Scale to Fit Paper. This should make sure all edges of your poster are visible when printed.  *If the poster does not fit the description, consult the Lab Support Staff!*  If your project is stalling or seems unable to print, you may need to export it to a PDF. In this event, consult a lab staff. He or she will guide you through the process.  If the preview looks correct, click Print at the top and enter your information in Pharos to print your poster.  Make sure you are getting charged the correct amount for your poster, verify with lab staff

Plotter Printing  Swipe your Student ID or given card at the printer kiosk in the hallway to print the job.  Check the screen on the plotter to see if it is receiving the data. If something looks horribly wrong, press Cancel on the plotter (marked here by red arrow).  Remember, you will be charged to reprint unless the plotter malfunctions on its own. Page 15

Plotter Printing: Catching  Once the plotter has stopped printing, a drying delay will take place and be timed in the printer dialog window.  Pick up the poster by holding the edge closest to floor and hold it away from the plotter roughly two or three steps away from the machine.  Leave some slack and be aware that the paper roll will move suddenly.  Do NOT pull. You will hear a definite slicing noise from the cutter when the plotter is done. After the poster is cut, you may need to gently pull to help the poster release from the printer  Keep ink side away from your clothing, and let the other end of the poster float down in front of you, ink side away  Lay the poster over the printer or an empty computer station. Some may take up to 30 minutes to dry, others are dry by the time the paper is cut.  Roll the poster with the printed side out so the edges don’t curl when posted.  Congratulations! If you have any suggestions for these directions, please contact the Lab Support Specialist on duty or the OIT Labs Manager at Page 16