PaperCut Client

Questions

  • What is the PaperCut Client?
  • What is PCClient?
  • What is PaperCut MF Client?
  • Do I need PaperCut Client installed on my computer to print?
  • Why does a window pop up asking for my username and password every time I print?
  • Why are my print jobs not showing up at the printer?
  • How does PaperCut know who sent a print job?
  • What does the PaperCut icon in my menu bar or taskbar do?
  • Can I save my password so PaperCut doesn’t ask me every time I print?
  • What is the difference between PaperCut Client and PaperCut Print Deploy?

Environment

This article covers what the PaperCut Client is and how it works. It applies to all Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students printing from a Mac or Windows 11 computer — whether Bowdoin-issued or personally owned.

  • macOS: Sequoia (15.x) or Tahoe (26.x)
  • Windows: Windows 11
  • Applies to: Bowdoin-issued computers (PaperCut Client is pre-installed) and personal computers (PaperCut Client must be installed manually)

Looking for something else?

  • To install PaperCut Client on a Bowdoin computer, see How to install PaperCut software on a Bowdoin computer in the Related Articles section.
  • To start PaperCut Client if it isn’t running, see Start the PaperCut Print Window in the Related Articles section.
  • To troubleshoot PaperCut Client, see PaperCut Client Troubleshooting in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

What PaperCut Client does

PaperCut Client — also called PCClient (macOS) or PaperCut MF Client (Windows) — is a small background application that serves two essential functions:

  1. It identifies who sent a print job. When you print, your operating system doesn’t automatically tell the print server who you are. PaperCut Client fills that gap — it intercepts each print job and attaches your Bowdoin identity to it. This is what allows your document to appear in your personal print queue at the release station, rather than being lost or inaccessible.
  2. It lets you charge printing to a department account. For faculty, staff, and student employees who print on behalf of a department, PaperCut Client presents a shared-account selection window when you print. This allows the job to be billed to the correct cost center rather than your personal allocation. See Charging a department code when printing in PaperCut in the Related Articles section for details.

How to tell if PaperCut Client is running

PaperCut Client must be running at the time you print. If it is not running, your print jobs will be sent to the printer but will not be linked to your account — meaning they will not appear at the release station or on the PaperCut web portal.

Look for the PaperCut icon:

  • macOS: A small black or white “P” icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen, near the clock.
  • Windows 11: A small icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock). You may need to click the up-arrow icon to expand hidden icons.
Icon not visible? PaperCut Client is not running. You must start it before printing or your jobs will not appear in your queue. See Start the PaperCut Print Window in the Related Articles section for instructions.

The login popup

The first time you print during a session — or after your saved credentials expire — PaperCut Client displays a small popup window asking for your Bowdoin username and password. This is expected behaviour.

  1. Enter your Bowdoin username (not your full email address) and password.
  2. Use the Remember drop-down to choose how long PaperCut Client should remember your credentials — options range from the current session up to two weeks. Choose a longer period if you print frequently.
  3. Click OK to submit your print job.
Not being asked to log in? This is normal if you previously saved your credentials. Your jobs will still be sent correctly as long as the PaperCut Client icon is visible in the menu bar or system tray. If jobs are not appearing at the printer, see PaperCut Client Troubleshooting in the Related Articles section.
Changed your Bowdoin password recently? You may need to clear your saved PaperCut credentials. See Resetting saved password in PaperCut Client in the Related Articles section.

PaperCut Client vs. PaperCut Print Deploy

These are two separate applications that work together but do different things:

Application What it does When it’s needed
PaperCut Client (PCClient / PaperCut MF Client) Runs in the background while you print. Attaches your Bowdoin identity to every print job so it appears in your personal queue at the release station. Required for all printing.
PaperCut Print Deploy A one-time tool for installing printers onto your computer. Once printers are installed, Print Deploy runs quietly in the background keeping driver settings up to date. Required to install printers — not needed for day-to-day printing once printers are set up.

For more on Print Deploy, see PaperCut Print Deploy in the Related Articles section.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

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Related Articles (7)

Charging a department code when printing in PaperCut
How to charge a print job to a department or shared account instead of your personal PaperCut balance. Faculty, staff, and authorized student workers can select a shared account at the time of printing, once their access to that account has been set up by IT.
How to install PaperCut software on a Bowdoin computer
How to reinstall the PaperCut Client and Print Deploy applications on a Bowdoin-issued Mac or Windows 11 computer when they are missing or not working. Use the Self Service app (macOS) or Company Portal (Windows 11) to reinstall. Requires a Bowdoin username and password and a connection to the Bowdoin network or VPN.
PaperCut Print Deploy
Explains what PaperCut Print Deploy is and how it manages campus printer installations on Bowdoin-issued Macs and Windows 11 computers. Covers how to find the application, why some printers may not appear in the list, and how Print Deploy differs from the PaperCut Client.
PaperCut Print Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting the PaperCut print workflow on a Bowdoin-issued Mac, iPad, or Windows 11 computer. Covers jobs that won't print, jobs stuck in the queue, releasing from the web portal, balance or quota errors, blank pages, and unresponsive release stations. For PaperCut Client software problems, see PaperCut Client Troubleshooting.
Print from a Personal Mac or Windows Computer
Instructions for printing to Bowdoin campus printers from a personally owned Mac or Windows computer. Covers installing PaperCut Client and the Mobility Print printer, sending a print job, and releasing the job at a campus printer or through the PaperCut web portal.
Resetting saved password in PaperCut Client
How to clear your saved PaperCut Client credentials after changing your Bowdoin password. If PaperCut keeps using your old password and won't let you sign in, you need to delete the saved authentication file on your Mac or Windows 11 computer.
Start the PaperCut Client on macOS or Windows
How to manually start the PaperCut Client application on a macOS or Windows 11 computer when it is not running. Use these steps when the PaperCut icon is missing from the menu bar or system tray, or when print jobs are not appearing in the queue.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

PaperCut Software Help
Get help with PaperCut software — PaperCut Client, Print Deploy, or printing from a personal or mobile device. For physical printer problems, use Report Printer Issue instead.