Overview
The large format plotter is available to print posters for displays and presentations for staff and students of the University of Birmingham.
The posters are printed on a 36 inch wide high gloss paper roll, length is trimmed automatically by the plotter, width manually by the user.
Standard paper sizes include A0, A1, Arch E.
Custom page sizes can be accommodated up to 917mm (36.1") by 15m (50ft).
To chop off the excess paper there is a guillotine available outside the office.
Hours
Please be aware that the staff providing the printing service are not dedicated to this task, and you are strongly advised to leave plenty of time between your print job submission and the required by date. The usual hours for the printing service are 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.
Job Submission
To ensure that you provide all the right details, and to make plotting your job easier, please use the provided system.
You can bring posters on memory sticks as a last resort, but the job submission form needs to be completed anyway.
Please note that the maximum file size that can be submitted online is 20MB.
For information on how to send larger files please see the
job submission page or contact us.
The posters can be collected from Poynting Physics (R13), room PB8E. Directions can be found here
The most straight forward access is through Physics West (R8). From the Physics West entrance opposite the clock tower, go down the stairs, then turn right and walk up the basement corridor. PB8 is on the left.
File Formats
PDF is the recommended file format because you can review exactly what will
be sent to me outside of the application that created the poster.
Microsoft Office users are recommended to export as a PDF and submit that.
Mac & Unix users should always export/print to PDF rather than an office
file.
Alternatively, you can send Microsoft Office, Libre/Open Office and most
standard image types.
Important: If you send a native document format please make sure all pictures and fonts are embedded in the poster. (File > Options > Save >> Embed fonts in the file = ticked)
Page Costs
| Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| Arch E | £26 |
| A0 | £25 |
| A1 | £20 |
| Custom page | £ poa |
Payment:
Your New Core account code is all we need.
You can also pay with cash, though you will have to pay at the Cashiers Office in Aston Webb B block (down the corridor opposite the VCs office). Contact us for the account code to pay in to and bring the receipt when you pick up your poster.
Paper sizes
- A0 = 841 x 1189 mm
- A1 = 594 x 841 mm
- Arch E = 914 x 1219 mm
Custom sizes: As long as the inked area and the paper length doesn’t exceed a standard size we will use the standard rate for that size. You must put your custom size requirements in the comment section when submitting your poster. The Maximum width is 917mm. (Note A1 posters are auto rotated by the printer so the maximum custom size is 594 x 917 mm)
Multiple small pages printed on one large page: If you send one file with all the formatting already done then I’ll print it.
Poster Creation Tips
Example files
Application page size
You should always set your application's page size to the sizes above. If you use an application page size that is very small e.g. A4 and I have to enlarge it to fit your requested page size you may be disappointed with the print quality.
Finally...
If you need to contact someone:
Email: posterking[at]star.sr.bham.ac.uk
Plot queue administrator: John Bryant ext 4-6471 Poynting Physics Room PB8E.
Maintained by Poster KingLast Updated: 30-Jun-2020