Summary
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.
Body
Questions
- How do I release a held print job?
- I printed a document — how do I make it actually print?
- How do I release my print job at the printer?
- How do I release a print job from the PaperCut website?
- How do I release a print job from my phone or iPad?
- My document isn't printing — how do I find it in the queue?
- How do I use my OneCard to print at a campus printer?
- I don't have my OneCard — how can I still release my print job?
- How long does PaperCut hold my print jobs before they expire?
- How do I print everything in my queue at once?
- Can I release a print job from my MacBook, iPad, or iPhone?
- What is papercut.bowdoin.edu?
Environment
This article applies to all Bowdoin College faculty, staff, and students who have sent a document to a PaperCut printer and need to release it for printing. Documents sent to campus printers are held securely on the PaperCut server until you release them — they will not print automatically.
- Applies to: All Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff
- Devices covered: Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro, iPad mini, iPhone, and personally owned devices
- Network requirement: You must be connected to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network, or to Bowdoin VPN if off campus
- Hold period: Print jobs are held for up to 48 hours. Jobs not released within that window are automatically deleted.
Note: Guest printing at the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library uses a different process not covered in this article. Please ask a library staff member for assistance.
Resolution
There are three ways to release your print jobs. Choose the method that works best for where you are:
Method 1 — Release at the Printer
Most campus multi-function devices (MFDs) have PaperCut built in, so you can release your jobs directly at the machine without opening a browser.
- Walk up to the printer. If the PaperCut screen is not showing on the touch panel, tap the PaperCut icon to launch it — it is configured to start automatically on most devices.
- Sign in using one of these three methods:
- Tap your OneCard on the card reader (fastest option)
- Enter your Bowdoin ID number on the keypad
- Enter your Bowdoin username and password on the touch screen
- Tap Print Release on the menu.
- You will see a list of your queued print jobs. You cannot see anyone else's jobs.
- To print a single job, tap it and then tap Print.
- To print everything in your queue at once, tap Print All.
Jobs not appearing at the printer? This usually means the PaperCut Client was not running on your computer when you printed. Your job was not linked to your account. See
PaperCut Print Troubleshooting for steps to fix this.
Method 2 — Release from the PaperCut Web Portal
The web portal lets you release jobs and choose which physical printer to send them to — useful if you want to print at a specific location across campus.
- Open a web browser and go to papercut.bowdoin.edu.
- Sign in with your Bowdoin username and password.
- In the left sidebar, click Jobs Pending Release.
- You will see a list of all queued print jobs with details including the time sent, printer queue, page count, and estimated cost.
- Click Print on the row of the job you want to release.
- If your job was sent to Find-Me-Print, you will be prompted to choose a physical printer. Printers are named by location — for example,
Moulton-Union-Hallway or HL-Main-1. Select the printer you want to use and click it to confirm.
- The job will show Queuing in the portal. The page refreshes every 60 seconds — once the job has been sent to the printer it will disappear from the list.
About Find-Me-Print: Find-Me-Print is a virtual print queue, not a physical printer. It holds your job securely until you choose a physical printer at release time — this is what allows you to print from your desk and collect from any campus printer.
Can't sign in to papercut.bowdoin.edu? If you are off campus, you must connect to Bowdoin VPN first. PaperCut is not accessible from off-campus networks without VPN.
Method 3 — Release from a Mobile Device
You can release print jobs directly from your iPhone or iPad using the PaperCut mobile release site.
- Make sure your device is connected to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network.
- Open a browser on your device and go to papercut.bowdoin.edu/mr.
- Sign in with your Bowdoin username and password.
- Search for or tap the printer you want to release to. Printer names are usually printed on a label on the physical device.
- Select the print job or jobs you want to release.
- Tap Release.
Using an iPad? The full PaperCut web portal at
papercut.bowdoin.edu works well on iPad. You can use either the full portal or the mobile release site.
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 printing assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources