Poster/Map Printing Information

There are two large-format printers available for printing your large format posters and maps.  There are a few options at your disposal and some general printing guidelines to be followed.  Please look over this page thoroughly.

GIS Lab Printer GPS Library Printer/Scanner

Click Here for More Information on Printing during Conference Time!

Need a Logo for Poster? Click HERE!

GIS Lab's HP5500PS printer

Location: 309 N. Mudd (GIS Lab)

Paper Width:  42" (36” Available upon specific request)
Paper Length: Virtually Unlimited ***Note that some conferences have specific poster size limitations)
Paper Type:  Photofinish Satin, Bond
File Size Limit:  ~ 500MB*

File Formats:  .eps, .pdf, .psd, .tiff, and .ps.
*** Please choose 'Embed all fonts' when saving your file.  It is recommended that you save it as both an .eps and .pdf.

* Please try to keep the file size below 250MB

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GIS Lab Printing Hours:

Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Guidelines:

• Be sure to set up your page size correctly in your application (42"/36" with 1/2" margins) before saving to pdf or ps.
• Please do not use a solid dark background color for your poster.  It consumes a large amount of ink and takes a long time to dry. It is recommended that you use a gradient background or a light background color.
• Be sure to save/print-to-file as a pdf and eps/ps with embedded fonts.
• You can either bring in your poster file on CD, DVD, USB memory device, or the file can be downloaded from your linux account or webpage. You may also upload it to ftp://ftp.gps.caltech.edu/incoming/gislab/ (login anonymously). Please be sure to put your name in the filename.
• We do not recommend the use of PowerPoint for creating your posters.  If you are using PowerPoint, make sure that your poster size is set up correctly and allow 1/2" for margins.  PowerPoint often can cause problems with color matching, fonts, and poster layout. If you choose to use powerpoint, please do so at your own risk. There is an increased chance that there will be problems printing your file and you may have to print multiple copies at your expense.
• We recommend using Adobe Illustrator or Canvas to create your poster.

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Cost:

Paper Cost:

• 42" Photofinish Satin paper             $11/linearfoot
• 42" Bond paper          $9/linearfoot
• 36" Photofinish Satin paper             $9/linearfoot
• 36" Bond paper (HP5500PS only)    $7/linearfoot

Processing Cost:      $50/hr (billed incrementally)

Average posters cost:  $70-$120.

  ***Reprints due to customer/user error will incur an extra cost.  Be sure file looks ok before it is printed!  Embed those fonts!

Payment:

Printing costs are charged to Caltech POETA accounts.  Please see your advisor or their administrative assistant for the correct account information.

Please have your advisor's administrative assistant email the GPS poeta account number to the GIS Lab before the time of your appointment.

**Please note that the GIS Lab will only print for members of GPS**

Appointments:

     Printing to the GIS Lab's HP 5500PS requires an appointment.  Email the GIS Lab to set up an appointment. Posters generally take about 20 minutes to print and about 20 minutes to dry. At least a day's notice is required - especially near conferences.

 

 

Conference Printing Information

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GPS Library's HP DesignJet 815MFP 42" color scanner / HP DesignJet 800PS color printer

Location:  207 N. Mudd - Geology Library Map Room

Paper Width:  36"
Paper Length: Virtually Unlimited
**Note that some conferences have specific poster size limitations)
Paper Type: Bond

Map Scanning:

CD-R/RW and USB ports available for saving scans. Printer/scanner is NOT connected to the internet.

ITS Username Log-on required.

Printing:

ITS Username Log-on required. Contact Jim O'Donnell, jimodo@library.caltech.edu for printing instructions.

Payment:

Printing costs are charged to Caltech POETA accounts.  Please see your advisor or their administrative assistant for the correct account information.

Cost:

$6.50/linear foot

For more information, contact Lisa Christiansen, lisc@gps.caltech.edu

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