Off-campus and VPN printing

Questions

  • Can I print to a campus printer from off campus?
  • How do I print from home to a Bowdoin printer?
  • Do I need a VPN to print to a campus printer?
  • How do I use the Bowdoin VPN to print?
  • My print job won't send when I'm off campus — why?
  • How do I install a Bowdoin printer when I'm off campus?
  • Can I access papercut.bowdoin.edu without being on campus?
  • How do I release a print job remotely?

Environment

This article covers printing to Bowdoin campus printers from off-campus locations.

  • Who: All Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff
  • Device: Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro or Windows 11 computer
  • Requirement: Bowdoin VPN — required for all off-campus printing and for accessing the PaperCut portal remotely
Important: The Bowdoin VPN is required to send print jobs and to access papercut.bowdoin.edu from off campus. Without VPN, print jobs will fail to send and the portal will be inaccessible.

Resolution

Step 1 — Connect to the Bowdoin VPN

Before sending any print job from off campus, connect to the Bowdoin VPN:

  1. Open the Cisco Secure Client application on your Mac or Windows 11 computer.
  2. Connect to vpn.bowdoin.edu using your Bowdoin username and password.
  3. Complete any multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompt if required.
VPN not installed? Contact the Service Desk or visit the Tech Hub for help installing Cisco Secure Client on your Bowdoin-issued computer.

Step 2 — Send your print job

Once connected to the VPN, print as you normally would from your computer:

  1. Open the document and choose File > Print (or press Command + P on Mac, Ctrl + P on Windows).
  2. Select Find-Me-Print (or another campus printer) as your destination.
  3. Click Print. The job will be sent to the PaperCut queue and held for up to 48 hours.
Printer not installed? If campus printers don't appear in your print dialog, you may need to run Print Deploy while connected to the VPN to install them. See How to install or delete a Bowdoin printer in the Related Articles section.

Step 3 — Release your print job

You can release your job in two ways depending on your situation:

  • Release when you arrive on campus: Walk up to any campus MFD, sign in with your OneCard or Bowdoin credentials, and release the job from the Print Release screen. Your job will be waiting as long as it was sent within the last 48 hours.
  • Release remotely via the PaperCut portal: While connected to the Bowdoin VPN, go to papercut.bowdoin.edu, sign in, click Jobs Pending Release, and select a printer to release to. The job will be waiting at that printer when you arrive. See Releasing a print job from the PaperCut portal in the Related Articles section for full steps.
48-hour hold: PaperCut holds all jobs for a maximum of 48 hours. If you send a job from home but don't return to campus within that window, the job will be automatically deleted and you will need to print it again.

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.
Print Article

Related Articles (5)

How to install or delete a Bowdoin printer
How to install or delete campus printers on a Bowdoin-issued Mac or Windows 11 computer using the Print Deploy application. Covers printers that are installed automatically, how to manually add additional printers, and how to remove printers that are no longer needed. Requires being on campus or connected to the Bowdoin VPN.
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.
Printing to a PaperCut printer
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.
Releasing a held document printed to a PaperCut printer
Step-by-step instructions for releasing a held print job to a campus printer. Covers three methods: releasing at the printer using your OneCard or Bowdoin ID, releasing through the PaperCut web portal, and releasing from a mobile device. Applies to all Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff
Releasing a print job from the PaperCut portal
How to release a held print job using the PaperCut web portal at papercut.bowdoin.edu. Covers signing in, viewing queued jobs, selecting a physical printer, and using the mobile release site on a phone or tablet. Useful when releasing at the printer is not possible or when you want to choose which printer your job prints to. Requires a Bowdoin account and connection to the Bowdoin network or VPN.