Johnson 208 Lab

1 Latest Version of This Document
2 Sources of Information Inside the Lab
3 Printing to the smaller printers
4 Printing to the large plotter
5 Scanning film negatives with the Nikon Scanners
6 Making Contact Sheets with the Epson Scanner
7 Sharpen Images with the Smart Sharpen Plugin in Photoshop
8 Equipment Manuals and Support Information
9 Paper requirements

Latest Version of This Document

Sources of Information Inside the Lab

There is a wealth of printed and digital books, guides and other reference material near the large plotter (far right corner of room). This includes a number of CD/DVD disks with video and interactive tutorials. Please make use of these resources.
Check the notice boards, they contain quick notes for most of the equipment. Some of the information there may be out of date, so feel free to print this page and replace documents from the noticeboard, as needed.

Printing to the smaller printers

The smaller printers, two Epson Stylus pro 4880, are identical with one exception: the one immediately next to the plotter uses Matte Black color. The other one uses photo black color.

There are several printing options for these printers:

Printing using the roll of paper on the back

Make sure the roll of paper on the back is inserted in the back of the printer. Instructions on inserting the roll are available in the cabinet under the printer.
Make sure that the printer is set to accept paper from the roll. You do this by clicking the button labeled "<" until you see an icon that looks like a roll of paper with a scissor next to it.
When you're ready to print your work on the computer, select File => Print, then under "Presets" select "Standard".

Note: To cancel a print job, walk over to the printer and press and hold the PAUSE/RESET button for 3 seconds.

Printing using sheets of paper from the drawer

Make sure that the paper is correctly placed in the drawer. Instructions on placing the sheets are available in the cabinet under the printer.
Make sure that the roll of paper on the back is REMOVED from the printer. When the roll of paper is inserted in the printer you CANNOT print from the drawer because the roll is blocking the paper from the drawer.
Make sure that the printer is set to accept paper from the drawer. You do this by clicking the button labeled "<" until you see an icon that looks like a sheet of paper.
When you're ready to print your work on the computer, select File => Print. Next you need to choose the correct printing preset (in Photoshop, click "Print" again to see the presets). Under "Presets" select "SHEET PAPER".
Next, you need to expand the print window, then under "Layout" choose "Print Settings". Change "Roll Paper" to "Sheet". If you'd like the system to remember the "sheet" option, under Presets click on "SHEET PAPER" and click "Save".
Click Print.

Note: To cancel a print job, walk over to the printer and press and hold the PAUSE/RESET button for 3 seconds.

Printing using the manual feed

This is more advanced and is detailed in the printer guide (in the cabinet under the printer)

Clearing the inkjet printer nozzles

Open Macintosh HD => Applications => Epson Printer Utility and follow the on-screen instructions.

Printing to the large plotter

The lab is equipped with an Epson Stylus Pro 9800 plotter (maximum width of a print out is 42in). You need to use the lone computer next to the plotter. Currently the ColorBurst RIP software is not working because of a missing license dongle. Alternatively, the new version of Photoshop (CS4) can also be used to print to the plotter. Check with your professor/instructor.

Scanning film negatives with the Nikon Scanners

See Scanning negatives with the Nikon Scanners

Making Contact Sheets with the Epson Scanner

See Making Contact Sheets with the Epson Scanner

Sharpen Images with the Smart Sharpen Plugin in Photoshop

See Sharpen Images with the Smart Sharpen Plugin in Photoshop

Equipment Manuals and Support Information

Epson Stylus Pro 4880 (smaller printers)

Color Burst RIP Software (for the big printer/plotter)

Quick Guide for Color Burst Rip Software

Epson Stylus Pro 9880 (big printer / plotter)

Nikon Super CoolScan 9000 (film scanner)

Epson Perfection 4490 Photo (small flatbed scanner)

Paper requirements

Generally speaking, the lab is well stocked with the correct paper. Check with the art dep't tech if you have any questions, or consult your professor/instructor.

For references purposes:

Do not use any paper heavier than 80lb or 300 gsm (g/m^2) in the Epson 4880 printers.
Compatible Epson Papers (for both plotter and smaller printers):
- Premium Glossy
- Premium SemiGlossy
- Premium Luster
- Premium Presentation Matte

Library & ITS Wiki