Printing from Weitzman Computer Labs and Print Stations - Spring 2025

Dear Students,

Here are some reminders for printing and plotting in the computer labs:

Printing Instructions:

• Adobe Acrobat is available in the Meyerson 321 and 324 computer labs, allowing you to open and print PDF files without needing a separate Adobe Reader application. While no sign-in is required to open PDFs, an Adobe ID is necessary for additional features such as editing and creating PDFs.
• For the fastest and most efficient printing experience, save your files to the desktop and open them from there before printing. If Adobe doesn’t provide options to select paper size or properties, try closing and reopening the program from the desktop. Restarting the application typically resolves any issues.
• "Log off" of computers and printing stations. Do not "shut down" the computer. We need the computer to remain on to receive important updates. Use the green icon on the desktop that looks like this, and click on it twice to log off from your session.
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Troubleshooting Tips:

• If PDFs take a long time to print or show "Flattening," it’s likely due to improper formatting. When printing to the Z series plotters, errors and blank pages can occur if files are not formatted correctly. If the file size exceeds 500 MB, scale down the resolution to prevent errors.
• To check the true printable size, log into your Adobe account and open the file in Adobe Photoshop. If you see "Rasterizing" when you open it, that's the first issue affecting file transfer to the printer. Ensure the file size is under 500 MB. You can drop the printable resolution size as low as 150 DPI without changing image quality.
• In Photoshop, flatten the layers so they are all locked, save the file again as a PDF, and do not preserve the layers for editing. After making these changes, you should be able to print the file without problems.

Print bills will be submitted at the end of the Spring Semester. Make sure any requests you have for print refunds are submitted before May 10th. Review information about printing and how to request print refunds by visiting our website: https://www.design.upenn.edu/it/printers-pricing.

If you run into any issues, don't worry—we're here to help! For assistance with printing or plotting, feel free to contact us at ithelp@design.upenn.edu.

Sincerely,

Weitzman ITS