The MCW Libraries poster printing service is an internal resource for MCW faculty, staff, students and residents only. Non-academic posters may be printed on a case-by-case basis, but in all instances the submitter must have an employment or enrollment relationship with MCW.
| Overview | |
|
Poster printing uses an online system named iLab. In order to request a poster, you have to create an account in iLab, then join a "Lab" - labs contain the information needed to pay for your poster. Many departments have created their own labs to pay for items. We also have a "Cash" lab, which allows you to pay for your completed poster with cash or check when you pick it up. Below is a list of topics covered in this guide. MCW Libraries expects that all poster files submitted have been proofread, approved, and are print-ready. If corrections or changes are needed, send the revised file to posterprinting@mcw.edu immediately. However, if the poster has already been printed, MCW Libraries will charge for reprints due to changes on the part of the submitter. |
|
Creating an iLab Account |
Tips on Creating a Printable Poster |
Joining a Lab |
Turnaround Time |
Placing a Request |
Poster Pickup |
Determine Which Poster Size to Request |
Large (Bulk) Requests |
Templates and Pricing |
Further Assistance |
Logos |
Outside Vendors |
Media |
|
Follow the instructions below to register for iLab (Please note that there are two sets of instructions depending on your classification):
MCW Employees (anyone with an MCW Employee ID number)
External Customers (anyone without an MCW Employee ID number- Medical Students, Residents, Clinical Fellows, affiliate employees of Versiti, Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert, and others) Please allow up to 24 hours to process your iLab account request.
For assistance creating an iLab account, contact ilab@mcw.edu.
After registering for iLab, you must be added to a "lab" to place a request. Departments have their own labs, through which requests can be made. The first time you use a department's lab you have to make a request in iLab to join it, then be approved by the department.
However, if you are paying for your poster with cash or check, you can join the "Poster Printing Cash Orders and External Customers (MCW EXT) Lab." You do not need approval to join this lab.
1. Log in to iLab
2. Click on the three-line icon in the upper-left to open the menu
3. Under Manage Groups, select My Groups
a. Click Request Group Access
b. Enter Medical College in the Institution blank.
- If paying with CASH, Select “Medical College of Wisconsin EXTERNAL”
I. Enter poster in the Group blank.
II. Select “Poster Printing Cash Orders and External Customers”
III. Click Request Access
IV. Approval to join the Cash lab is not needed. You should now be able to place a request.
- If asking to join a department's lab, Select “Medical College of Wisconsin"
I. Search for the name of the lab you are asking to join
II. Select the appropriate group
III. Click Request Access.
You will receive an email confirmation once you've been added to the lab.
The preferred file format for posters is a PowerPoint slide (PPT or PPTX), but PDFs are also acceptable.
- If your request will be paid with MCW funds, follow the directions in Placing a Request Using MCW Funds.pdf
- If your request will be paid with personal funds, follow the directions in Placing a Request Using Personal Funds.pdf
1. Find the dimensions of the poster file:
In PowerPoint: go to Design tab > Slide Size button > Custom Slide Size. The slide measurements will appear.
In PDF file: go to File > Properties. The measurements are near the bottom of the window
2. Choose your final poster height (either 36 or 42 inches)
a. Divide the chosen height by the smallest dimension of your poster file.
b. Multiple that result by the larger dimension of your poster file.
c. Select the poster size width closest but not less that calculated in 2b.
Example: Dimensions of our poster file = 34 inches x 45 inches. Poster height chosen in 36 inches.
2a. 36 / 34 = 1.06
2b. 1.06 x 45 = 47.7
2c. Select size: 36 X48 as the dimensions of your finished poster
Posters can be requested in the following sizes. Click on the size below to download a template.
| SMALL - $25 | MEDIUM - $45 | LARGE - $55 | METRIC - $45 |
| 84.1x118.9 cm (A0) | |||
|
|
90x140 cm | ||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
MCW Logo images must be of high quality. Downloadable logos can be found on the Office of Communications InfoScope page. In addition, the templates listed below all contain high-quality logos for MCW, Children's Hospital, and Froedtert.
We have three kinds of media available. All three are the same cost, as our pricing is by poster size.
Plain – Like ordinary office paper, but about twice as thick.
Glossy – Has the appearance of a photograph print.
Fabric – A plastic sheet embossed with a cloth-like texture.
Creating A Poster in PowerPoint (PDF) is a guide to help you create a clear, easy to read poster.
Designing an Effective Poster Video gives further instruction in a detailed video.
○ Set an appropriate slide size for your poster
Be sure to check the size requirements for your poster when setting your slide dimension. PowerPoint has a limit of 56 inches, if you want a larger poster the most important thing is that your slide is proportional to the printed size. (We can scale up slides when printing.) For example, if you wanted a 36 x 48 or 42 x 56 poster, you can set your slide to those sizes. But if you wanted a 42 x 65 poster, you'd have to set the slide to a smaller, proportional size - usually one-half: 21 x 32.5.
○ Stay within the slide area.
PowerPoint will not print anything outside of the white area of the slide.
○ Have only one slide per poster file.
Having multiple versions of your poster or other slides filled with elements for pasting in the same file will result in multiple posters being printed and charged.
○ Try to avoid using outdated templates.
An outdated template may cause unpredictable behavior when printing and may not be fixable, particularly if it's been passed between Mac and PC. Additionally, there are some templates that have been circulating for years, with bad logos, image compression, and other problems. We have a variety of templates available for download above.
○ Make sure image compression is turned off.
Image compression will reduce the resolution of smaller, simpler images - like logos - giving them a poor appearance. In PowerPoint turn off image compression by going to FILE > OPTIONS, select ADVANCED, then under "Image Size and Quality" select "Do Not Compress Images in File" check box.
○ Do not recolor, distort, or apply effects to logos.
Logos define corporate identity, and while you may have permission to use one, you are never given permission to alter it. When you have a choice, use logo images that are higher resolution. A screen capture of a logo on a web page is very low resolution and should be avoided if possible. Our templates above have high-resolution copies of logos for MCW, CH, and Froedtert.
MCW Branding Guidelines and Logos
○ If you use specialty fonts embed them into the file.
FILE > OPTIONS, select SAVE, then under "Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation," select "Embed fonts in the file" check box.
Selecting Embed only the characters used in the presentation reduces the file size but limits editing of the file using the same font. Leaving that check box blank increases the file size, but is best for allowing others to edit the document and keep the same font.
○ Avoid large areas of dark colors, especially black.
Large areas of solid, dark colors are very prone to easily showing accidental bumps and scrapes.
○ Discover Arrange, Align, Distribute, & Grouping
Learning to use the Alignment and Grouping tools will help you create a better-looking poster more easily. The Alignment and Grouping controls are in the DRAWING section of the HOME ribbon, in the ARRANGE drop-down.
This YouTube video demonstrates using these tools:
PowerPoint 2010: Arranging Objects
○ Three foot rule
When designing your poster, keep in mind that most people will be seeing it from three or more feet away. Scale your elements for easier viewing. Too small text or images may make you poster harder to read. This also means small errors or defects may not be noticeable by most people.
Posters are made available as soon as they have been processed and printed. During high-volumes times we may not be able to fulfill same-day or next day requests. Please plan for a turnaround time of up to two business days.
You will receive a notification from iLab when your poster is ready to be picked up.
When paying through a departmental lab:
Completed posters may be picked up 24/7 in the self-service rack near the Todd Wehr Library Service Desk (third floor, HRC). An MCW ID badge is required to access to the Library before 9 am and after 5 pm.
When paying with cash or check:
Completed cash posters may be picked up and paid for at the Todd Wehr Library Service Desk (third floor HRC, 9 am-5 pm, M-F). Entrance is through the main front doors. Payment is by cash or check. The library is not able to accept other forms of payment at this time.
Help with account creation and billing issues is available through ilab@mcw.edu
Help with your poster file or questions about printing can be directed to posterprinting@mcw.libanswers.com
MCW Libraries
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 955-8302