Who can use the large format printers?
Our space, equipment, and services are intended for current UNC Asheville students, faculty, and staff use only. If you're a community member and interested in maker technology, check out Asheville Makers!
How much does it cost to print on the Large Format Printers?
Poster costs depend on the size of the poster and the type of paper used. Check out the main Large Format Printing Information page for more details.
How can I pay for printing?
For debit/credit cards, you will receive a e-mail upon receipt of your file from the CrAFT Studio with a price and confirmation that the charge is active on your library account. Payments are accepted at the Circulation Desk on the main level of the library.
How long does it take for the charge to be applied to my library account?
Charges are applied to accounts three times per day (morning, mid-day, and afternoon) during normal business days. Charges received after the last payment posting (approximately 5:00 pm), after hours, on weekends, or during university holidays will be applied the next business day.
When will my print be printed?
Payment for standard prints must be received before print jobs will be processed; any print jobs left unpaid for seven (7) days will be deleted from the queue and the charge deleted from your account. Priority and express jobs will be printed before payment is received; payment must be received before the print will be released for pick up.
Can departments pay for printing?
Yes, and this includes paying for student posters for conferences/symposia! Departments must provide a fund number in their submission for the print to be queued up.
How long does it take to print?
Please allow at minimum two (2) business days for your print job to process.
I need my poster sooner! Is there anything I can do?
There are additional rush fees assessed for faster printing.
Why do prints take so long?
We endeavor to complete jobs faster, but the CrAFT Studio has a number of services we have to balance! When you submit a print, the staff of the CrAFT Studio take the time to run the file through a thorough quality check, including image quality, spelling and/or syntax issues, and formatting issues. We want to ensure that your prints are the highest quality that they can be! In addition, prints take on average an hour to fully dry before we are able to package them for pickup.
What weights and sizes of paper do you keep in stock?
Here's a handy chart to see which types of paper we stock at which sizes!
| Sheet Size | Roll Size | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Pricing Class | Paper Finish/Weight | 8.5 x 11 | 11 x 17 | 12 x 18 | 13 x 19 | 24" Wide | 36" Wide |
| Lightweight ($5.00/linear ft.) | Universal Copy Weight (~26 lb weight) | -- | X | X | X | X | X |
| Translucent Vellum | -- | -- | -- | -- | X | -- | |
| Standard ($7.50/linear ft.) | Coated (30-40 lb. weight) | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Heavyweight ($10.00/linear ft.) | Coated (40-60 lb. weight) | -- | -- | -- | -- | X | X |
| Cardstock (60-100 lb. weight) | X | X | X | X | -- | -- | |
| Photo ($15.00/linear ft.) | Satin | X | X | -- | X | X | X |
| Gloss | X | X | -- | X | X | X | |
| Premium ($20.00/linear ft.) | Matte Polypropylene Adhesive Back | -- | -- | -- | -- | X | -- |
| Matte Polypropylene (No Adhesive) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | X | |
| Canvas | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | X | |
Do you print 8.5" x 11" flyers on lightweight universal copy weight paper?
Unfortunately, we do not print 8.5" x 11" prints on lightweight universal copy weight paper or what you might call copier paper, which we define as any paper under 26 lbs. of weight. Given how expensive our printer's ink is, those prints would be much higher in cost than prints off of our standard printers housed in the library.
We recommend either using the funds on your RockyCard, or purchasing a pre-loaded Copy Card from the Circulation Desk. These are available in denominations of $3 and $9 plus a $1 per card materials fee.
Can I bring in my own paper?
We do not allow folks to bring in their own paper. There is a possibility your paper could damage our printers. However, you are welcome to contact us about ordering specific paper for large scale print jobs!
What if my print job falls outside of the dimensions outlined above, or I have a specialty paper request?
We can accommodate specific types of specialty prints; please contact Amanda Glenn-Bradley, User Engagement Librarian and Coordinator of the CrAFT Studio for additional information.
Can I laminate my prints?
We sure do; we have a Xyron PRO cold laminator, and you can add on laminating to appropriately sized prints on the printing submission form! Prices are listed on our Laminating page and on the main Large Format Printing page.
What file type do I need to send in?
You can submit either a PDF or a static image file (e.g. JPEG, PNG, or TIFF) at native resolution for printing. We cannot print Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign file types (.psd, .il, or .id).
Can't I submit a PowerPoint/Keynote file?
We do not accept PowerPoint or Keynote files due to the chance of formatting loss. There is a distinct possibility that images, fonts, and/or formatting will not transfer correctly, and we want to make sure your poster matches what you see on your screen. Our Designing a Poster in PowerPoint guide has detailed instructions on how to easily convert a PowerPoint file into a PDF, and the Apple website has detailed instructions on how to export Keynote files to PDF. Make sure you are designing the poster at the size you are requesting it be printed at.
What about Google Slides or Docs?
We do not accept Google Slides or Docs due to the possibility of formatting loss. When you give us access to the file, the Studio would require editing capabilities to export the file to PDF. To download your document so it can be opened by other programs, click File > Download as and choose PDF as your file type.
How large can my file be in megabytes?
We can accommodate any size of file. On the Large Format Submission Form, select File Upload if the file size is under 100 MB, or Google Drive Link if the file's size exceeds 100 MB.
What can I print?
You are welcome to print items that you create in the Media Design Lab, class projects, posters, and much more. This includes:
What will the CrAFT Studio not print?
The CrAFT Studio will not print items that are:
We reserve the right to reject any request, and that includes items that contains material under copyright, including images with obvious water marks or that uses an artist's renderings without their express permission.
What are some things I need to pay attention to as I design my poster?
There are some basic tips below to help you design the best possible poster!
What program should I use to create my poster?
You can use a wide variety of programs to create your poster! We do not recommend using Microsoft Word for the larger print sizes we offer, as the largest page size currently supported is 12 inches by 18 inches. We have created a guide for Designing a Poster in PowerPoint, and the fantastic folks in the Media Design Lab can help you create posters using the Adobe Suite. Other great resources available for use are Pages (Macintosh only), Infogram, or Canva. Make sure you are designing your work at the size you want it to be printed.
Do you have templates I can use to create my poster?
We sure do! Here are some example templates are common sizes in Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Canva.
Where do I pick up finished print jobs?
After your item has successfully printed, you will receive an e-mail, letting you know your item is finished and with instructions on where to come pick up your item at the CrAFT Studio.