All copying, printing and scanning to email is done using multi-functional devices which are authenticated by using your MacID username and password. As soon as you are enrolled at McMaster a PrintSmart account is created for you.

To add money to your PrintSmart account for printing/copying/scanning:

1. Click on the PrintSmart icon on any public computer or go to http://pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca:9192/user on your personal computer.
2. Log in using your MacID username and password, then add value to your account using a credit or debit card.
3. Please note: Any funds that are left in an account when it expires becomes the property of McMaster University and will not be refunded. There is now an option for transferring your account balance to someone else's PrintSmart acount at any time. Now you can pass the funds along to a friend or sibling when you leave McMaster!

You may now access your PrintSmart account, using your MacID username and password to login when completing a print or copy job. Be sure to log out of your account once you are done printing or copying, otherwise your account could be debited by the next user.

As well, it is important to check the printing options before releasing a print job, as the printer will retain the settings from the last user - this means you could be charged for a colour copy instead of the black-and-white copy you wanted. More information about the default settings follows below.

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 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 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!

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

For information on how to print, copy or scan to email, check out the How Library Stuff Works video (choose the Using the Library tab, then How to Print video) on printing in the library.   Use WebPrint, the newly launched Mobility Print, or download the PrintSmart driver to your personal computing device To be able to access the PrintSmart system from your personal laptop, whether at home or on campus, you can use the webprint feature or download the Printsmart client once to your computing device.  NOTE: to send print jobs from off-campus you will first need to logon to the campus VPN server with your MacID, then choose the PrintSmart printer option when completing your printing request. 

If you still have questions submit a problem report.

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

CREDIT or DEBIT: Add value to your account ONLINE NOW using your debit or credit card.  

Funds can be added in increments of $5, $10, $20 and $50 at one time. We suggest you only add what value you think you will use over the term. Unused funds are non-refundable. Effective August 2014 there is also now an option to transfer a Printsmart account balance to another Printsmart account. 

NOTE: If you have a new 16-digit VISA/DEBIT card please choose the Visa/MC payment option, NOT the Interac Online payment option.  

Participating banks:  BMO, CIBC, RBC, TD CanadaTrust and Scotia banks.   

For CIBC users, please go to your bank and ask to have your card replaced with a CIBC Advantage card (at no cost) - this card is a VISA/DEBIT card which can be used to add value to your Printsmart account, using the VISA/MC payment option.

Please note many local credit unions do not participate in Interac Online. Other cards which may not work are: Scotia Scene debit cards, President's Choice debit cards

If you are not able to add value using one of these payment types, please see staff at any of the Library Services Desks, who can provide you with other options.

You will need to download the PrintSmart client to your personal laptop or desktop to be able to send print jobs to the PrintSmart network. 

• Download and install the PrintSmart client (this must be done the 1st time you are printing from each personal device)
  • Press Windows Logo + R on keyboard
  • Enter into textbox: \\pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca\PCClient\win\laptop
  • Click “OK”
  • In the Enter Network Password window enter your domain qualified MacID username and password.
    • e.g. if your MAC ID is smith12 then you would enter "ADS.mcmaster.ca\smith12" in the Username field.
  • When the new window opens up double-click on "client-local-install.exe" to install the client and configuration on your laptop.

Connect to the PrintSmart print queue:

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”

Bitdefender workaround for Android devices

Web printing - all documents must be saved as a pdf before printing

If you are having difficulty please go to the nearest Service Desk where our staff will be happy to help you, or complete a Problem Report form. 

NOTE: To download the client from off-campus you will first need to logon to the campus VPN server with your MacID.

Use mobility print

Printing from a public computing device

Using a library computer to send a job to the printer as you would at home. PC's are defaulted to 2-sided, B&W. You can change these settings by going to the print properties for the document you are trying to print.

You will be prompted for your MacID and password, then the cost of your print job will be calculated. You will have a chance to cancel at this point if you aren't happy with the proposed cost (perhaps you had asked for colour printing and didn't realize it?) and can start again, until you are happy with the cost. Once you accept the cost preview you can then go to any printer/copier to release your print job.

Releasing your print documents / Printer Log-In Procedures

1.  Go to any copier/printer  - press the keyboard icon
2.  Login with your MAC ID username and password
3.  Press Print to Release Job

Remember to logout when you are finished, by tapping on your username and confirming you wish to Logout.

Still having trouble or have questions?

• You can report problems to the Help Desk (x 20014) at Mills Library during term time, or ask for assistance at the closest Service Desk.
• Submit a problem report

Copying (not printing) information

1. Go to any copier/printer  - press the keyboard icon
2. Login with your MacID username and password
3. Select My Personal Account to access the device.
4. Select COPY, then choose the features you want by scrolling up and down through the menu
5. When ready to copy, press Start

Remember to logout when you are finished,  tapping on your username and confirming you wish to Logout.

Scanning using our multi-functional device 

Still having trouble or have questions?

• You can report problems to the Help Desk (x 20014) at Mills Library during term time, or ask for assistance at the closest Service Desk.
• Submit a problem report

Students can report problems to the Help Desk (905-525-9140 ext. 20014) in Mills Library, located in the Learning Commons on the 2nd floor.

Help Desk - HOURS (September to April)

• Monday to Thursday:  10am to 10pm
• Friday:  10am to 6pm
• Saturday:  10:30am to 6pm
• Sunday:  noon to 10pm

PrintSmart Information sheets are located at the Learning Commons Help Desk and main service desks in each library. 

Still having a problem copying or printing? Submit a problem report - we will fix it up as quickly as we can!

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 do I add funds to my account?

• You can add funds by clicking on the PrintSmart icon on any public computer, or by going to https://pcprime.admin.mcmaster.ca:9192/user on your own computer
• Unused credits are not refundable and the account will expire in a few months after your MacID is de-activated
• There is now an option to transfer your PrintSmart account balance to another PrintSmart account at any time. Now you can pass the funds along to a friend or sibling when you leave McMaster!

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: 6¢
  • Duplex (double-sided), B&W: 5.5¢ per side
  • Single-Sided, Colour: 25¢
  • Duplex (double-sided), Colour: 23¢ per side
  • Scanning: 4¢ per pag

What happens if I don't logout?

• If you do not logout once you are done printing, your account remains open for the next user and they could end up doing printing on your account
• When copying, you must remember to LOGOUT to prevent the next user from using your account without your permission. To do this Press the Person icon. It is the responsibility of each users to make sure this step is done to avoid value being lost.

Can I copy/print in colour?

• Yes. All multi-function devices are capable of copying and printing in full colour as well as black and white.

Is 2-sided copying/printing cheaper?

• Yes. With the roll out of the PrintSmart software, it is possible to charge for different sizes as well as to charge accordingly for copying/printing on both sides. Cost for Black & White, double-sided is 5.5 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!

Can I print from my personal laptop?

• Yes, using the web printing option 
• When connecting wirelessly, make sure you go through MacSecure or Mac-WiFi
• You may have problems accessing the network through ResNet.  You will first need to logon to the campus VPN server with your MacID. 

How long do print jobs stay in the queue?

• If not printed, released jobs will remain in the queue for 48 hours

Can I scan?

• Yes, you can scan to an email address - the scanned materials will be sent as a pdf attachment to the email

How do I use the system?

If you are sending a print job from a public computer, you will be prompted to log into PrintSmart with your MacID username and password, then select the type of printing required..  You can then release the print job (or do copying or scanning) at the Printer/Copier, using these instructions.

Where can I report problems if I'm having difficulty using the equipment?

• Students can report problems to the first floor Information Desk in Mills and Thode
• Information sheets located at the library Help desks and Service Desks
• If there is a quality issue with the device, please complete a Problem Reporting form, although most problems can be resolved by the Help desk support team

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. The same Reader Printers are available on the 3rd floor of Mills library. As with all of the Printer/copiers in the libraries, the Reader Printers will also be connected to the PrintSmart payment system. Each R/P 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 Sharp devices to be printed. Both Sharp devices on 3rd floor will include 8 1/2” x 11” (letter) size paper as well as 11” x 17”(ledger) size paper. If both Sharp devices on the 3rd floor are 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")

• With the exception of Maps library, located on the 1st floor of Mills and the device on the 3rd floor which allow you to print on 11"x17" paper, the only paper available in the library printing/copying devices is letter size.

  It is very important that you check ALL print settings to prevent jobs being lost and value being charged for that error. The library is not responsible for errors made by the user. Always check the print/copy settings, particularly, proper paper size, B&W vs Colour, single-sided vs double-sided features.