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Printing From Labs

Printing is divided into two tasks: Submitting documents (jobs) to work station and releasing documents from work station.

In order to print from the Academic Computing Labs, you need sufficient funds loaded onto your Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) OneCard or to buy non-ID Cash Card.

There are black and white (monochrome) laser printers in KHW-71F, SHE-677, SBB-314, LIB-272 (Library), and the TRS labs (TRS-2-006, TRS-2-148, TRS-2-154, TRS-3-148, TRS-3-150). These are high-speed, high-volume, high-quality laser printers, and they are available to users with a valid TMU OneCard or non-ID Cash Card.

To print your documents in black and white, you must choose Lab Monochrome Printer. The cost is 7 cents per image.

Only 8.5” x 11” letter-size paper is available.

Double-sided (duplex) printing is the default setting on all self-serve monochrome printers in the Academic Computing Labs

There are colour laser printers in KHW71-F, TRS-3-180, and LIB-272. These high-speed, high-volumes, high-quality laser printers are available to users with a valid TMU OneCard or non-ID Cash Card.

To print your documents in colour, you must choose Lab Colour Printer. The cost is 49 cents per image.

Only 8.5” x 11” letter-size paper is available.

Single-sided printing is the default setting on all self-serve colour printers in the Academic Computing Labs. 

Note: Colours are not guaranteed to come out the way they look on the monitor.

  1. Run your application (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, AutoCAD, etc.).
  2. Select a printer from the File menu, click PrintPrinter Setup or Select Printer (This ensures that the document will be formatted for the printer).
  3. Load or create your document.
  4. Print the document by selecting File > Print from the application menu.

    Note: Remember that the default setting for black and white laser printing is duplex (doubled-sided) printing. If you would like to change this, check the Switching from Duplex to Single-Sided Printing Tutorial.
  5. Review print settings.
  6. Click Print to send your print job to the self-serve printer release stations (laser printers).

How to Release Documents (Print Jobs)

There are two types of self-serve release stations:

  • Self-serve print release station (computer)
  • Self-serve printer

The self-serve print release stations consist of a computer, keyboard, monitor, and printer. These units are dedicated computers setup to release print jobs to a local printer.

The self-serve printers are stand alone printers with a touch screen and integrated card reader.

  1. Go to a self-serve print release station computer in KHW-71, LIB-272(Library), SHE-677, or TRS labs.

  2. If you are using a non-ID Cash Card see How to associate your non-ID Cash Card balance to your my.torontomu username.

    TMU Non-ID Cash Card

  3. Log on to the computer using your my.torontomu username and password.

  4. Click Print beside each document to print individual documents.

  5. If you cannot find your print job it may have “timed out”. Print jobs are held by the system for two hours. If they have not been released after this time they will be deleted.

  6. Please note that it may take up to 30 seconds for the printer to warm up after clicking Print.

  7. Click Done to exit.
  1. Go to a self-serve printer in LIB-272 (Library).

  2. Tap the touch screen to activate the system.

  3. If you are using a non-ID Cash Card see How to associate your non-ID Cash Card balance to your my.torontomu username.

    TMU non-ID Cash Card

  4. Log on to the printer by swiping your OneCard on the card reader attached to the printer (black magnetic strip facing you, strip closest to the printer) or entering your my.torontomu username and password on the touch screen.

  5. Tap Print Release.

    Sef-Serve Printer Station Screen with options for Logout and Print Release

    Fig. 1 – Self-Serve Printer Screen


  6. Release print job.

    Print Job List Screen with Columns displaying the Document, the number of pages, and its cost.

    Fig. 2 – Print Job List

    If you cannot find your print job, it may have “timed out”. Print jobs are held by the system for two hours. If they have not been released after this time they will be deleted.

    • To print individual documents, tap on the arrow beside each document, and then tap Print
    • To print all listed documents, tap Print All.

    Please note that it may take up to 30 seconds for the printer to warm up after clicking Print or Print All.

  7. Tap Back and tap Logout to exit.

Payment Methods

Only the TMU OneCard or a non-ID Cash Card (issued by the OneCard office and can be purchased at PHIL machine) are accepted for payment. Cash is NOT accepted. Ensure enough funds are available on your TMU OneCard before releasing your job at the printer; otherwise your print jobs will not be printed or released. Print jobs are automatically deleted two hours after submission from the lab computers or wireless laptops.

How to Associate (link) Your Non-ID Cash Card Balance to Your my.torontomu Username

TMU non-ID Cash Card

  1. Go to the second self-serve print release station computer in KHW-71 (KHW-71F-RS02).

  2. Enter the 10 digit number that appears at the bottom of the non-ID Cash Card.

    Print Release screenshot with the field to enter your card number highlighted.
  3. Click Yes to the “This card is not registered with the system. Would you like to associate it with your account?” prompt.

  4. Enter your my.torontomu username and password. Click OK.

  5. Click OK to the message: “Your card has been associated with your account. Press ‘OK’, then use your card to log in.”

  6. Enter your my.torontomu username and password to print your documents.
  1. Go to a self-serve printer in LIB-272(Library).

  2. Tap the touch screen to activate the system.

  3. Swipe your non-ID Cash Card on the card reader attached to the printer (black magnetic strip facing you, strip closest to the printer).

    Print screen stating 'your card is not known to the system. Please press 'Next' to associate your card with an account.'

  4. Tap Next and enter your my.torontomu username. Tap Next.

  5. Enter your my.torontomu password and tap Next.

  6. Swipe your non-ID Cash Card when you are back to the initial log on screen to print your documents.

 (PDF file) Using Self-Serve Printers

Printing Tips

The printing speed depends on printer processing power, file format and size, colour depth, graphic resolution, and the complexity of the document.

  • Special adjustments of files, printers, or plotters do not necessarily improve quality.
  • Check all settings before printing.
  • Make sure page size and orientation is correct.
  • Switch from duplex to single-sided printing as needed.
  • Always do a Print Preview before printing your document.
  • Speed up PowerPoint printing by:
    • Turning off backgrounds when printing.
    • Printing in either Greyscale or Black and White.
  • Keep your final file size as small as possible. Do not use graphics with a higher resolution than the printer is capable of printing. Even 75 – 100 dpi is often quite adequate for most purposes. Sending a 2400 dpi image to a 600 dpi printer is time wasted.
  • Printing a web page file directly from a browser often gives unexpected results.
    • Workaround: Print the web page to a PDF file and print from Adobe Acrobat.
  • Printing a PDF file directly from a browser often gives unexpected results.
    • Workaround: Save the file and print from Adobe Acrobat.
  • Not all software applications are compatible with our printing system.
    • Always do a Print Preview before printing your document.
    • Always check how many pages your will be charged before releasing your print job.

You are responsible for ensuring all print settings are correct. No refunds will be given for prints or plots that do not come out as expected unless the problem is due to obvious hardware failure.

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