MediaServices/FAQ

From Help

General Printing

What printers are available?

  • For students, there are color laser printers available in all four computer labs. See below for a description of each:
    • Commons - 11x17 (Tabloid) B&W Laser Printer/Copier
    • S360 - 11x17 (Tabloid) Color Laser
    • S362 - 8.5x11 (Letter) Color Laser
    • S366 - 8.5x11 (Letter) Color Laser
    • S553 - 8.5x11 (Letter) Color Laser and 11x17 (Tabloid) B&W Laser Printer/Copier
  • For staff and faculty, there are color and B&W copiers in the mailroom you can use as printers. Submit an IT Ticket if you need access to these.

How do I go about using these printers?

  • You can log in to any lab computer and use them for printing
  • If you have your own computer and want to use the lab printers, you can use the directions located here to add the printers to your computer.
    • Keep in mind, you'll need your network login information (same as your email) to properly print to the lab printers
    • When prompted for a username and password, be sure to check the "Remember This Password" for future use.

Am I being charged for printing from my own computer?

  • Yes, you are. It's a good idea to login to Papercut every now and then to make sure you have enough money in your account.
  • You should also receive an email indicating you are getting low on funds in your Papercut account.

How do I add more money to my Papercut Account?

  • Again, log in to Papercut and click the "Add More Credit" link on the left column to add more money.
  • ONLY ADD AS MUCH AS YOU NEED! THERE ARE NO REFUNDS! According to School Administration, any money added to Papercut is non-refundable.

Hey, I can't print anything!

  • Here's a few things you can check if you can't print:
    • Make sure there aren't any printer errors (empty toner, no paper, paper jam) before you try to print
    • If using your own computer, are you on the school wifi?
    • Do you have enough credit in your Papercut account?
    • Are you printing to the correct printer? Make sure you're not printing to a different lab.
    • If using a lab computer, are you logged in with the correct username and password?
    • The generic "artacademy" account on lab computers cannot print.

Print Lab

What are the Print Lab hours?

  • Monday - Friday
  • 8AM - 4PM

Really? Don't you take a lunch?

  • Yes! The Print Lab is closed between approximately 11:30AM - 12:30PM. Since there's only one person running it, occasionally the door will be closed for other reasons as well. Please be patient and considerate during this time.

How do I submit my files?

  • You'll need to log in to Papercut at http://papercut.artacademy.edu using your school email address and password
  • Once logged in, look in the left-hand column for the "Submit Job to Media Services" link.
  • That will open a new browser window/tab with the form you'll need to fill out to submit your file(s).

Can I bring a flash drive or external hard drive to the Print Lab instead of using the drive?

  • Absolutely!

What files types are accepted?

  • We accept the following FLATTENED (i.e. no layers) files:
    • PDF
    • TIFF
    • JPG
  • If your file is not flattened, any custom or special fonts you may have used will not render properly. To learn how to flatten your file properly, see the "How-To" section. In addition, anything other than these file types will be marked with a yellow dot.

What resolution should I have for my files?

  • We recommend 300 dpi for the best quality.

Can I bring my own paper?

  • It depends. We have inkjet printers, so whatever you bring first has to be compatible with that type of printer. However, if the paper is just some atypical or strange paper you'd like to print on, it's unlikely we can successfully print on it. Some examples of recommended paper manufacturers are:
  • You can find all those and other supported papers at B&H Photo, which is a great resource for artists technology and materials.
  • Ultimately it is at the discretion of Media Services whether or not they can print on the material you provide.

Is there a way to look at the progress of my print?

  • Kind of. You'll get a confirmation email when you submit your files. Then you'll also receive an email when your prints are done and available for pickup. But there's no current way to see where you are in the queue.

How do I pickup my print?

  • It will be hanging on the wall or laying on the table outside the Print Lab

I’m not seeing my print, what happened?

  • Your print may have been the wrong size, maybe a low resolution, or some other problem. Come stop by the print lab to find out what you need to do next.

I have a critique in thirty minutes! Can you put me ahead of the queue?

  • Prints will be completed in order of submission. Try to plan accordingly with your critiques. We recommend printing at least a day or two in advance to ensure your print is ready.

I don’t like the way my print turned out, can I get a refund?

  • Refunds will be given when it is a print lab error. Refunds will not be provided for user errors such as, but not limited to:
    • Improper sizing of files
    • Incorrect file format
    • Low resolution
    • Incorrect color profile
    • Stray brush strokes or lines
    • Unsupported fonts
  • ALWAYS double check your files before submitting to the print lab to ensure quality!



Equipment Checkout

What are the Equipment Checkout hours?

  • Monday - Friday
  • 8AM - 4PM

How do I check out equipment

  • You can check equipment status by going to http://mediaservices.artacademy.edu
  • Simply come in to Equipment Checkout and fill out a checkout form with the Ian.
  • Always check the equipment before you leave to make sure nothing is broken and you don't get charged for it.

Does it cost anything to check out equipment?

  • Potentially. If you break equipment, you will be charged for repair or replacement of that equipment.
  • The same can be said if you loose anything or if it's stolen. If you check something out, you are responsible for it.

What if I turn equipment in late?

  • We will suspend your media services privileges, including printing and equipment checkout, for one week. We can also put holds on your account so you can't register for classes or receive your transcripts or diploma.
  • Keep in mind, all the equipment is shared by the whole student body. If you turn something in late, chances are, someone else has been waiting on it, potentially preventing them from completing their assignments.
  • Please try be respectful and considerate of both the equipment and your peers.

What type of equipment is available to check out?

  • There is a variety of equipment available for checkout. Please keep in mind, some of the equipment is only available to specific, higher level students who are enrolled in specific classes. For questions about availability, either check http://mediaservices.artacademy.edu or swing by Media Services and ask Ian.
    • Digital Cameras
    • Film Cameras
    • Tripods
    • Lights
    • Field Microphones
    • Headphones
    • Digital Projectors
    • Media Players
    • Drawing Tablets
    • Laptops (limited quantity)
    • Accessories

Is there a limit to how long I check something out

  • It all depends on what you're checking out. For instance, digital cameras are in high demand, so you're only able to check those out for a few days. But we have an abundance of drawing tablets, so you can check those out for a whole semester potentially.
  • For more information on how long you can check something out, just visit Ian in Media Services for more information.