Print / Copy / Scan

Printing from a McMaster computer

1. Add funds to the Retail Operations balance on your McMaster ID Card.
2. Click Print.
3. Swipe your ID Card on any public photocopier, check the print settings, and release your document. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number.
4. Logout of the printer.

Printing from a personal PC (Windows)

1. Add funds to the Retail Operations balance on your McMaster ID Card.
2. Save your document as a PDF.
3. Login to PrintSmart and click Web Print.
4. Click Submit a Job and choose your print settings.
5. Click Print Options and Account Selection.
6. Click Upload Documents and select the document you want to print.
7. Click Upload & Complete.
8. Swipe your ID Card on any public photocopier, check the print settings, and release your document. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number.
9. Logout of the printer.

Printing from a personal Mac (macOS)

• Use mobility print

When connecting wirelessly, make sure you go through Mac-WiFi or use the McMaster's VPN.

McMaster University provides all users with public photocopiers which offer copying, printing and scanning services.   First, you must create your own PrintSmart account to use these devices.  If you forget your password, you will need to go back to the original email you received, which provided your username and password. Payment is handled through online accounts accessed by usernames and passwords. All general public accounts expire, and any funds associated with them, after 60 days of inactivity. As long as you make one impression before that time, the account will remain open indefinitely. Remember to log out after completing your print/copy job, or your account can be accessed by the next person to use the machine. As well, be sure to check the printing options before releasing a print job, as the printer will retain the setting of the last user - this means you could be charged for a colour copy instead of the black and white copy you wanted.

Information about PrintSmart accounts, how to print, copy and scan, and the associated pricing can be found by clicking the tabs on this page. More information on the default settings can be found below. 

DEFAULT SETTINGS:  The default setting for PC's is Black & White and two-sided (duplexed). On a Mac the settings associated with the document being printed determines what the print settings are. Please check your print properties as these settings can be changed at the time you submit a printing request. We’d suggest that you check the difference in cost prior to doing so.

Each time you submit a print job you will be provided with an estimated cost for that print job AND the balance in your PrintSmart account. This information can be used as a double-check to make sure you are printing what you want BEFORE you hit the Submit button.

When doing double-sided copying, the machine read both sides of an original at once when using the document feeder. You will no longer see the shuffling back and forth that other copiers do. As well, most of these devices only print on 8.5” X 11” paper. This is for environmental, practical and cost reasons.

Please note that with the exception of the copier located outside the Maps library on the 1st floor of Mills and the photocopier on the 3rd floor of Mills, which allow you to print on 11"x17" paper, the only paper available in the library photocopiers is letter size.

For information on how to print and copy, you can check out the How Library Stuff Works video on printing in the library - go to the Using the Library tab, then How To Print (video). If you still have questions, visit the Help Desk in the Learning Commons on the 2nd floor of Mills Library, go to the closest Service Desk, or submit a problem report.

First you will need to use a library computer to set up your PrintSmart account.

Look for the PrintSmart box in the upper right corner of the monitor, then click on "Create a General Public Account" and follow the instructions.

You will then need to add value to your account. Community users can purchase PrintSmart cards in a variety of denominations from the Mills Services Desk on the 1st floor of Mills Library.

When you are ready to print or copy a document you will be asked to sign in. Use your new PrintSmart ID (which will look like gp-xxxxx)  and password to do so.

The costs of printing will be deducted from your account.

Be careful of asking one of the public devices to print a document that is not 8.5” X 11” without indicating it should resize the document manually, as these devices do not resize automatically. Your print job will not be printed and you will still be charged for the copy.

And ALWAYS remember to log off when you are done copying and printing. Otherwise your account is open to the next person to use the machine.

 If you forget your password, you will need to go back to the original email you received, which provided your username and password. 

You'll find print/copy/scan machines in Mills, Innis,Thode and Health Science libraries.  Please note that ALL devices are accessible. 

Library Locations

Note: printing/coping on legal size (8.5" x 14") paper is not available in the library.

You can print on legal size paper at:

MSU Underground Media & Design          McMaster University Student Centre / MUSC-B117 (Basement)
 

Non-Library Locations that use Printsmart Accounts

Your McMaster ID Card is now your PrintSmart card! Use your Retail Operations balance to pay for printing and other great services both on and off campus.

Funds can be added instantly, with a minimum deposit amount of $20. These funds can be used at any McMaster ID Card participating partner. Unused funds will stay with your account the entire time you’re a student.

To add value or load money to your McMaster ID Card for printing and other services ...

IN PERSON: You can add funds in person at the Mac Express office (Commons Building, Room 115)  with debit or credit card. Cash is NOT accepted.

ONLINE: You can check out the deposit options here or load funds online now using your Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card. Use your MacID and password to login.

Copying

1. Swipe your McMaster ID Card on the reader attached to the printer. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number.
2. Select My Personal Account to access the device.
3. Select COPY, then choose the features you want by scrolling up and down through the menu.
4. When ready to copy, press Start.
5. Logout when finished.

Scanning

1. Swipe your McMaster ID Card on the reader attached to the printer. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number.
2. Select My Personal Account to access the device.
3. Select Access Device.
4. Select the Email icon.
5. Choose Manual Entry and add your email address.
6. Select your preferred settings.
7. Press Send.
8. Logout when finished.

Ask at Mills or Thode front desks.

Email:  library@mcmaster.ca 

Call: 905-525-9140 X 22077 

Check out our handout (add)

What will happen to my existing PrintSmart balance?

• Funds from your old PaperCut/PrintSmart account will remain on your account as long as you’re an active student. Going forward, you’ll add money for printing to the Retail Operations balance on your McMaster ID Card. You can check your balance by logging in here.

What if my card doesn’t work when I swipe it on the printer?

• Email maccard@mcmaster.ca or bring your card to the Registrar's Office in Gilmour Hall, Room 108  for testing and possible replacement. In the meantime, you can manually release your print job by logging in to the printer using your MacID username and password.

How do I reset my pin?

1. Login to PrintSmart.
2. Click Change Details.
3. Enter your new pin.

What are the default settings?

• The default settings on all printers is Black & White and two-sided (duplexed), although operating systems have been known to adjust the factory setting back to colour. Please check your print properties as these settings can be changed at the time you submit a printing request. We’d suggest that you check the difference in cost prior to doing so.
• Each time you submit a print job you will be provided with an estimated cost for that print job AND the balance in your Retail Operations account. This information can be used as a double-check to make sure you are printing what you want BEFORE you hit the Submit button.
• When doing double-sided copying, the machines read both sides of an original at once when using the document feeder. This is for environmental, practical and cost reasons.
  As well, most of these new printing/copying devices only print on 8.5” X 11” paper. Check out your new PrintSmart account to see how many trees you have saved personally by using the double-sided copying default!

How do I create a PrintSmart account?

• A Printer/Copier account is automatically created for all new students. Sign in using your MacID username and your password. Your MacID must be active/enabled in order to use the system.
• Any time you experience problems accessing your PrintSmart account feel free to submit a Problem Report

What can I do and how much does it cost?

• All Printer/Copiers offer black & white or colour, as either single or double sided copies
• Scanning to email, as an pdf attachment, is also available
  • Single-sided, Black & White: 10¢
  • Duplex (double-sided), Black & White: 9¢ per side
  • Single-Sided, Colour: 35¢
  • Duplex (double-sided), Colour: 34¢ per side
  • Scanning (Black & White or Colour): 5¢ per page
• Rates include the cost of paper and HST.

What happens if I don't logout?

• If you don’t logout, the next person to use the photocopier could use your account. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you are logged out each time you use a public machine.

Can I print directly from my document software on a personal PC?

1. Download and install the PrintSmart client (link to download)
2. Press Windows Logo + R on your keyboard
3. Type \\pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca\PCClient\win\laptop
4. Click OK
5. Enter ADS.mcmaster.ca\ plus your MacID (e.g. If your MacID is smith12 then you would enter "ADS.mcmaster.ca\smith12" in the Username field)
6. Enter your MacID password
7. Double-click client-local-install.exe
8. Add the PrintSmart printer

       Windows 7:

• Click Start > Devices and Printers > Add a printer
• In the Add printer dialog box click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer
• On the next window click The printer that I want isn't listed without waiting for the scanning to finish.
• Click on Select a shared printer by name and enter \\pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca\PrintSmart in the text box.
• Click Next then Finish

      Windows 8/8.1:

• Right click Start
• Click Control Panel > View devices and Printers > Add a printer
• On the next window click The printer that I want isn't listed without waiting for the scan to finish.
• Click on Select a shared printer by name and enter: \\pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca\PrintSmart in the text box.
• Click Next then Finish

      Windows 10:

• Click Start > Settings > Devices > Add printer or Scanner
• Scroll down to: The printer that I want isn’t listed
• Click on Share printer by name and enter: \\pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca\PrintSmart in the text box.
• Click Next then Finish

Can I copy/print/scan in colour?

• Yes

Is 2-sided copying/printing cheaper?

• Yes. Cost for Black & White, double-sided is 9 cents per side. Your PrintSmart account can also show you how sustainable your personal copying activities are. Make sure you check out the new environmental dashboard!

What if I forget my McMaster ID Card? How do I release my print job, copy, or scan?

• Go to any copier/printer and press the keyboard icon
• Login with your MacID username and password
• Press Print to Release Job, Copy to photocopy, or Scan to scan.
• Logout when finished.

How long do print jobs stay in the queue?

• Print jobs are deleted from the queue after 48 hours.

How do I know which devices copy and which print?

• All devices will print and copy. Your print job can be released at any Printer/Copier in any library or residence.
• If the closest device is not available or busy, you can use another device to retrieve your job.

Can I print from the reader printers in Mills library?

• Yes. Reader printers for microfiche and microfilm are available on the 3rd floor of Mills library. Each reader printer will have a computer connected to it and your image from fiche or film will be displayed on the monitor. Using the same procedures to print in other parts of the library, you will then select the print parameters you wish and send it to the devices to be printed. The device on the 3rd floor will include 8 1/2” x 11” (letter) size paper as well as 11” x 17”(ledger) size paper. If the device on the 3rd floor is being used, your print jobs can be printed at any device in any library.

Can I print on paper larger than letter size (8 1/2" x 11")?

• Maps library, located on the 1st floor of Mills and the device on the 3rd floor allow you to print on 11"x17" paper.

Still having trouble or have questions?

• You can report problems to the nearest Library Service Desk (1st floor) in person or call 905-525-9140 ext. 22077 (Mills) or ext. 22000 (Thode)
• Submit a problem report.