Printing

Students at the undergraduate research fair.

Some University Library services — public computers, e-resources, and in-person reference consultations — are limited and/or based on availability. Visit the Tech Den website for additional printing details.

Printing and Copying

Jump to: Poster Printing

The University Libraries provide printing and scanning services to members of the Washington University community (students, faculty, and staff) using color, multi-function printers located throughout the University Libraries. These devices provide print and copy services at the same price. Printing is available from all PCs in the University Libraries and from personally owned computers with the proper drivers installed.

Printing/Copying Costs

Print and copy charges will be:

  • Black & white, single-sided — $0.04 per image
  • Black & white, two-sided* — $0.06 per sheet ($.03 per image**)
  • Color, single-sided — $0.25 per image
  • Color, two-sided — $0.40 per sheet ($0.20 per image)

*Default print and copy settings are set to black & white, two-sided. Users may choose other options as desired.
**An image is all of the printing on one side of a sheet of paper.

Printing From Library Computers

Computers in Olin Library have one print queue installed which allows users to print to library multi-function printers. The default print queue is “\\128.252.67.142\wulib-print” and can be used to print to any multi-function printer in the University Libraries. This queue is set to print black & white, two-sided. Users can change printer properties to print single-sided or to print color, either single-sided or two-sided.

Printing From Personally-owned Computers in the University Libraries

Printing from personally-owned computers in the University Libraries is available provided you have installed the proper software which is available on the Student Technology Services (STS) website.

Printing Locations

For more information on printing, see the WashU Tech Den. Multi-function printers are available at the following University Libraries locations:

HP Color LaserJet MFP M681 printers are at the following locations in Olin Library:

  • Level 1 – at public computers
  • Level 1 – Whispers Café
  • Levels 3, 2, A, and B – near public restrooms

Consult the Olin Library Floor Plans for further specifications.

  • Two HP Color LaserJet MFP M681 printers
  • One HP Color LaserJet MFP M681 printer
  • One HP Color LaserJet MFP M681 printer
  • Two HP Color LaserJet MFP M681 printers

Poster Printing

IMPORTANT – Payment must be received before printing is scheduled. Once payment is confirmed, your poster will typically print within five business days. We are unable to accept requests for a shorter turnaround time for poster printing.

The University Libraries offer large-format printing. Available paper widths are 36- and 42-inches with lengths up to 5 feet (60 inches). A trimmer is available for smaller dimensions. All posters are printed on photo-quality satin finish paper stock.

Poster printing services are also available at FedEx (Campus Bookstore in Mallinkrodt Center and other select locations), Hi/Tec Copy Center, and Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies. Pricing and availability may vary.

If you have questions, please get in touch with support at cfu-lib-posterprinting@email.wustl.edu.

Preparing Posters

  • Submit documents in PDF format.
  • Create posters using a presentation or graphics program; PowerPoint is a popular choice.
    • To save documents in PDF format from PowerPoint, use the “Save As” option and change the “File Type” to PDF; this should retain your page size settings, but you should verify this by checking the PDF’s “Page Size” in Document Properties by selecting Properties under the File option on the PDF reader.
  • Design posters with height or width dimensions equal to either 36- or 42-inches. These dimensions will match the width of the available paper roll media and enable us to print a poster that will not require trimming.
  • Leave approximately 0.5 inches of white space between the content and the poster’s edges. The printer will use this space as the margin.
  • Make sure that the slide size is set to match the design dimensions. 

If you are using PowerPoint to create a poster with a dimension larger than 56-inches (the maximum allowed in PowerPoint), you will need to design the poster at a smaller size with the same aspect ratio (height to width). We will print your poster to your specified dimensions by resizing it. 

Submitting Posters for Printing

  • Once prepared, please submit posters using the Poster Printing Submission Form. After submitting your request, you will receive an email invoice with the cost of your print job and payment instructions. Please allow up to 15 minutes for your invoice to arrive.
  • There is a minimum charge of $24.00 per poster. 
  • Pricing is based on length:
    • 36-inch wide posters are $0.67 per linear inch ($8 per linear foot).
    • 42-inch wide posters are $0.83 per linear inch ($10 per linear foot).
  • Payment must be received before printing is scheduled.
  • There are two methods of payment accepted:
    • University department charges using the Department Cost Center number.
    • Credit card via CashNet.
    • Payment by Bear Bucks is not accepted.
  • If you are paying by credit card and do not receive an email requesting payment within 30 minutes of submitting your poster, be sure to check your spam or junk email folders. If the payment request is not there or in your Inbox, you will need to resubmit your poster printing request.

Poster Printing & Pickup

  • Once payment is confirmed, you will receive an email notification. Your poster will typically print within five business days.
  • You will be notified when printing is complete and may pick up your poster outside the entrance to Room A04 on Olin Library Level A.
    • Turn right from the bottom of the Keegan Grand Staircase towards the Instruction rooms and turn left to follow along the wall of Instruction Room 3 until you see the poster pickup location.
  • If you do not pick up your poster(s) after three weeks, it may be disposed of.
  • No refunds will be given for posters not picked up after printing.

Need help getting to the Olin Library? See our Maps & Directions page for further details.