Poster Printing FAQs

Pdf – open the file in a pdf-based program such as Adobe Reader.

Click File – then select Properties. “Page Size” will show the image dimensions.

Another option is to Right click on the image and select “Document properties”.

Page Size will be the actual dimensions.

PowerPoint - open the file in PowerPoint – click “Design” – click “Slide Size” - Click “Custom Slide Size” – your poster dimensions should be displayed. If the dimensions are correct, you can save the PowerPoint slide as a pdf file. You should then check the dimensions of the pdf file to ensure a file formatting issue did not occur and the dimensions are correct.

Posters submitted for printing are entered into our database in numerical order. You will receive automated emails during the printing process to keep you informed and updated on the progress of your poster.

A Pdf file is required.

Our printer paper maximum size is 44 inches X 100 inches / 111.7 X 254 cm. One dimension (width or height) must be 44 inches / 111.7 cm or less. We can rotate the poster image to accommodate printing as long as one dimension is below the 44 inch / 111.7 cm threshold

The current printing cost is $6.00 per square foot. Our Poster Printing Form has a cost calculator. Enter the poster dimensions, select inches or centimeters, click in the Quantity box and the cost will be displayed.

Cash pre-payment is not required. Payment is made when the poster is picked up.

We only accept Cash or Western University Speedcodes.

NOTE: Cash payments are rounded down to the nearest dollar.

We do not accept credit or debit cards as we are an In-House printing service and do not have credit or debit payment devices.

A speedcode is an internal account code associated with a specific Western University research grant or department administrative account.

Speedcodes are not entered on the Poster Printing Form.

You MUST enter the name, department and email address of the account holder, DoSa designate or Department administrator on the Poster Printing Form. An automated email requesting a speedcode and approval will be sent to that specified person.

ONLY Individuals with account signing authority can provide the speedcode and authorize the printing expense to the specified account.

NOTE: Speedcode payment posters are placed ”On Hold” until we receive the speedcode approval by return email authorizing the printing expense. Once the approval is received, we can place the poster in the queue for printing.

An alternate individual who also has approved signing authority for a specified account, can provide the speedcode and account code to approve the printing expense.

Yes. If the Individual with account signing authority is not available or has not responded to provide a speedcode and approve the printing expense, you have the option to pay with Cash. Once we are notified about the payment change, we can proceed and place your poster in the queue for printing.

You will receive an email when the poster is ready to be picked up, including the final cost, building, room number and available office hours.

You can only withdraw your printing request BEFORE the poster has been printed. If the poster has already been printed you will be responsible for the associated printing cost.

We only print large format size posters. We do not have equipment to print business cards, letter (8.5 X 11”), legal (8.5 X 14”), ledger (11 X 17”) or other small size prints.

We only use one type of paper – Premium semi-matte photo paper.

We do not print fabric or canvas posters.

If the posters are all the same dimensions, you enter the dimensions in the appropriate boxes, select inches or centimeters, click in the Quantity box and select the quantity you require. Cost calculation will also change accordingly.

If the posters are different dimensions, you will have to submit each poster on a separate form.

All posters must be picked up from Social Science Room 1226.

You must sign in with a valid UWO email address and password. If you are denied access, it is possible that you may not be registered in Social Science and you are restricted or excluded from using our poster printing service.

We cannot change a Cash payment to a Speedcode payment AFTER the poster has been printed. The printing and payment information has already been entered into our database and we are not able to retrieve the data to make changes.