Plotting Using Adobe Acrobat (Windows)

Overview

This document provides you with a quick overview of how to plot to DotCIO's plotters using the Adobe Acrobat application. 

NOTE: Adobe Illustrator is the preferred program for plotting in color. If you plot using Adobe Acrobat, refunds for color issues will most likely not be approved. This program is available in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite or on the computer in the VCC Lobby. Your document can be saved as a PDF and printed through Illustrator.    

Procedures

Preparations:

1. Make sure your file is saved as a PDF.
2. Select the type of poster paper you would like to print on. If the printer you would like to use is not installed on your computer, then please see our section on Installing Printer Drivers. Details about the plotters and their costs can be found in our RCS Public Printers section.

Printing:

1. 1. Once the printer is installed, open your PDF file in Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat and select “Print” from the File menu.  Note: You may need to right-click and use the “Open With” option to select Adobe Reader.
   2. Select the correct printer from the drop-down menu and click on the “Properties” button.
      • Note: See the “Preparations” subsection for selecting a printer.
      • Note: You may have to exit Adobe and reopen your document if the “Properties” button seems to lag for more than a few seconds.
   3. In Document Properties, go to the Paper/Quality tab, then click the “Custom…” button under “Paper Options”.
      
      

      [Printer properties with the Paper/Quality tab selected and an arrow pointing to the Custom button]

   4. In the Custom Paper Size window, set the width to 36″, and set the length to the length of your document.
      
      

      [Custom Paper Size dialog box with an arrow pointing to 36 by 48 under the Name field]

      • Note: The width of your actual document should be no more than 34 inches. In addition, leave a one-inch margin at the top of the page.
   5. In the same window change the name of the Paper Size to something descriptive so that you can use it the next time you need to print, then hit the “Save” button.
   6. In the same window, press “OK”. Then press “OK” in the Printer Properties window.
   7. In the “Print” window, click on the “Advanced” button next to the printer name.
      1. In the “Advanced Print Setup” window that appears, on the left-hand side of the window, click on “Color Management”.  Now, in the middle of the window, click on the “Color Handling” drop-down menu and set it to “Printer Color Management”.
         
         

         [Advanced Print Setup dialog box with the "Color Management" and "Printer Color Management" options highlighted.]

      2. Click on the “OK” button to save the settings and close the window.
   8. In the Print window, select “Actual Size” under Page Sizing and Handling. If this does not look correct, you can instead select “Fit”. Deselect “Choose paper source by PDF page size”. Select “Auto portrait/landscape” under Orientation.
      
      

      [Print dialog box with an arrow pointing to the word Actual size]

   9. Ensure that the preview looks correct, and that the dimensions look correct.
   10. Press “Print” to print the poster.
   11. To make sure the poster has been sent to the printer wait to see if a pop-up appears in the lower right hand corner of your screen saying the document has been sent to the printer. If not ask at the Help Desk.
   12. Posters are printed in the VCC Print Room and have to be brought up by staff. Usually, posters will be ready about an hour after they were printed. This can take more time if the Print Queue (seen on the monitor at the Help Desk) is long.
       • Note: This queue can take some time to update so you may not always see your print in the queue because it has either already printed or has not been updated yet.

The posters are brought upstairs to bins in the southwest corner of the VCC lobby and are placed into the bins ordered alphabetically by RCS ID.  If your poster is not there after 1–2 hours, feel free to ask at the Help Desk for an update on its status.

Last Reviewed: 28-Jan-2024