Print / Copy / Scan

Printing from a McMaster computer

1. Add funds to the Flex balance on your MacCard.
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. You can also choose the keyboard icon to enter your MacID and password.
4. Logout of the printer.

Printing from a personal PC (Windows)

1. Add funds to the Flex balance on your MacCard.
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. You can also choose the keyboard icon to enter your MacID and password.
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.

1. Visit the Services Desk at Mills Library to request creation of a new PrintSmart Account and to add funds.
   1. Print credit can be purchased from the Services Desk at Mills Library with debit or credit in increments of $5. Cash is not accepted.
   2. Your username and password can be found in the email received when the account is created.
   3. Note: If you create an account without printing or copying, the account and any funds added will expire after 60 days of inactivity.
2. Log in to PrintSmart with your Guest Printing Account (e.g. gp-username) and password.
3. Select Web Print.
4. Submit a Job.
5. Select the printer corresponding to Colour (Colour PrintSmart) or Black & White (PrintSmart) and click the button to proceed.
6. Choose number of copies and click the button to proceed.
7. Upload your file as an 8.5"x11" PDF. The document will be printed double-sided (duplex).
8. Visit a printer in the library.
9. Select the keyboard icon and enter your Guest Printing Account username (starting with gp-) and password.
10. Confirm the price and release the print job.
11. Log off.

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 MacCard is now your PrintSmart card! Use your Flex balance to pay for printing and other services both on and off campus.

Funds can be added instantly, with a minimum deposit amount of $5. These funds can be used at any MacCard participating partner. Unused funds will stay with your account the entire time you’re a student.

To add value or load money to your MacCard for printing and other services:

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

ONLINE: Load funds online now using your Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card. Use your MacID and password to login.

Copying

1. Swipe your MacCard on the reader attached to the printer. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number. You can also choose the keyboard icon to enter your MacID and password.
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 MacCard on the reader attached to the printer. The first time you swipe, you will be asked to create a pin number. You can also choose the keyboard icon to enter your MacID and password.
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 

Why isn't the PrintSmart page loading?

• To access PrintSmart, you must be connected to Mac-WiFi or McMaster WiFi via a VPN. Ensure you are connected to Mac-WiFi and not using cellular data or eduroam.

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 Flex balance on your MacCard. 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 Flex 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

How much does it cost?

• 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

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.