Poster Printing at the Copy and Print Center

Questions

  • How do I print a poster on campus?
  • How do I prepare my poster file so the Copy and Print Center can print it correctly?
  • What file format and size should I use for a poster?
  • I need to print a poster for my symposium — how do I do that?
  • How long does poster printing usually take through the Copy and Print Center?
  • What information should I include when I submit my poster for printing?
  • How do I receive the finished poster once it is printed?
  • Where do I submit a poster for printing at Bowdoin?
  • Can I print a poster from PowerPoint or Google Slides?

Environment

This article applies to anyone requesting a large-format poster print from the campus Copy and Print Center:

  • Who: Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff.
  • What: Large-format poster printing (for class projects, research symposia, conference posters, events, and similar).
  • Design tools covered: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Adobe design apps (Illustrator, InDesign) running on a Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro, a Windows 11 computer, or a personal machine.
  • Not covered: Everyday document printing to PaperCut printers — see Printing to a PaperCut printer in the Related Articles section.
Plan ahead: Larger posters and busy periods (symposium season, end of semester) can require additional time to print. Submit your job with as much lead time as possible and check the Copy and Print Center's posted turnaround times before you commit to a deadline.

Resolution

Printing a poster through the Copy and Print Center is a five-step process: plan your size, set up your document, design with print-quality content, export to PDF, and submit through the Copy Shop website.

1. Plan your poster size and deadline

  • Confirm the required size and orientation (portrait or landscape) for your class, event, or conference.
  • Allow enough lead time — larger posters and busy periods can require additional days to print.
  • If the event has a specific size requirement (for example, a symposium template), use that size exactly.

2. Set the page size in your design app before you start

Set your document to the final poster dimensions before adding content. Scaling a small design up to poster size makes text and images look blurry.

  • PowerPoint: Change the slide size to your final poster dimensions before adding content. See Microsoft's guide to changing slide size (linked in Additional Resources).
  • Google Slides: Adjust Page setup to a Custom size that matches your poster. See the Google Slides Help Center (linked in Additional Resources).
  • Illustrator, InDesign, or other design apps: Create the document at full size to avoid scaling.

3. Use clear, high-quality content

  • Images should be high resolution so they do not look blurry when printed large. Avoid screenshots when possible — pixel-based screenshots degrade badly at poster size.
  • Keep text large and readable from a distance.
  • Use strong color contrast between text and background for accessibility and legibility from across a room.

4. Export your poster to PDF

  1. In PowerPoint or most desktop apps, choose Export or Save As PDF. PDF preserves your layout and embedded fonts so the print matches what you see on screen.
  2. In Google Slides, choose File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).
  3. Open the exported PDF and zoom in to check that images and text look sharp at full size. If anything is fuzzy on screen, it will also be fuzzy when printed.

5. Prepare your submission details

Before submitting, have the following ready:

  • File name: Include your name, project or course, and poster size. Example: A_Smith_BioResearch_36x48.pdf
  • Printing details: Final size, color or black and white, paper preference (for example, matte or gloss if offered), quantity, and your deadline.
  • Billing details: Any required project or department information, if the print is being charged to a department.
  • Delivery: Whether you prefer pickup or campus delivery (if available for your situation).

6. Submit your poster through the Copy and Print Center website

  1. Go to the Bowdoin Copy and Print Center website.
  2. Click the Submit a print job button and sign in with your Bowdoin username and password.
  3. Upload your PDF and fill in the request form with all of the details prepared in step 5.
Note: Providing all details the first time (size, color, paper, quantity, deadline, billing) helps the Copy and Print Center print your job correctly without needing to follow up with questions, which can save a day or more on your turnaround.

7. Receive your printed poster

  • Pick up your poster or receive delivery according to the options shown on the Copy Shop page.
  • Carefully transport the poster — a poster tube or flat carrier protects the print from creases and scuffs.
  • If you find a problem with the finished print and need changes, export a corrected PDF and submit a new request through the same process.

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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The end-to-end workflow for printing to a campus PaperCut printer from a Bowdoin-issued Mac or Windows 11 computer. Covers signing in to PaperCut, sending a job, and releasing it at the printer. Links to other articles for installing printers, charging a department, and troubleshooting.