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San Francisco Plotter Usage Guidelines

The following plotting guidelines are provided to help alleviate plotting hassles when plotter usage is at its peak.

1. Have a Plan AND a Back-up Plan

  • PLAN AHEAD: Send your plots well in advance.  Allow at least 24-48 hrs to get output.  Send test plots earlier to check color, font size, resolution.
  • Where appropriate, organize your presentation to fit on 11"x17" sheets and use the color Xerox printers or B/W HP printers.
  • Send your plots to BPS or elsewhere.  Current CCA students receive a discounted rate on printing at the BPS San Francisco location (see below).
  • Where appropriate, prepare an alternative digital presentation and reserve a projector.

2. Read the Plotting Tips

Provided on every mac lab computer, on each local drive (e.g. SF A 17) under the directory /Help Sheets/Output Centers/ are helpsheets with instructions for different output types.  These helpsheets are also available online. These tips will help you create files that plot successfully.  Key tips:

  • Plot from Illustrator or InDesign rather than Photoshop.
  • Outline all fonts
  • Do not embed files.
  • Print RGB
  • Print at an appropriate resolution: 100-150dpi. Anything higher than this resolution will generally not make any difference in your print.
  • Ask for help if you are confused.

3. Limit File Size

  • Excessively large files (greater than 100 MB) will be given low-priority and sent to the end of the print queue.

4. Limit plot size to 30"x40"

  • The shorter the plot, the less chance for errors. Physical plot lengths are limited to 60". If you really need a larger plot, you can take your file to BPS San Francisco and receive CCA student rate (see instructions below).

5. Delete your file.

  • Don't leave large files in the print queue if you know that they won't come out until AFTER your review, if you can get it plotted at BPS, or if you've just decide you no longer want that plot.  See the Color Output Specialist or a Lab Manager if you have a file that needs deleting.

Printing at BPS

The BPS San Francisco office provides CCA students with a discounted rate on all output services. Follow the instructions below to prepare your file for printing at BPS:

1. Burn a CD with your file(s) including:

  • A PDF of your file
  • The file itself
  • Any images included in your file
  • (Note: A description of the output/test plot is always helpful)

2. Bring Your CD to BPS office, located at 945 Bryant St., between 7th & 8th (see Google map).  BPS hours: 7AM—9PM, Monday-Friday. 

3. Stand in line, present your CCA ID (must be a current CCA ID badge), and ask for the CCA discounted rate. The discount is only available at the above location.

  • Large Format Color Bond: $5.50 per sq. ft.
  • Color Xerox 8.5"x11": $0.65 per print
  • Color Xerox 11"x17": $1.30 per print
  • All other products: 20% Discount

4. Pay them. (Please note: the funds in your CCA print account will roll over to next semester as long as you continue to be enrolled at CCA.  See the printing policy for details).

5. Your file will go in their queue. BPS has 6 plotters.  Please allow 24-48 hours for output, or check with them as to their current lead time.

Printing Support

Need help with printing in the labs or library?
View printing support »

Print Releasing

To release print jobs sent to printers in the labs and libraries, visit printers.cca.edu.

Plotting Helpsheets

Need help with preparing your digital file for output to the SF plotter?
View helpsheets ».