.PDF files: standard for printing
Whether copies are «black & white» or «color», only .pdf documents are accepted by the EPFL reprography for printing.

In order to produce a good PDF, experience has shown that the only valid method is to:
- install a virtual PostScript printer
- print to file “PostScript” (.PRN ou .PS) from the source document (Word, PPT, etc...), then recuperate the document on your desktop
- then convert the .PS en .PDF document using Acrobat Distiller.

PDFs created directly from MS Office programs are often incompatible with our printers. ONLY PDFs produced directly from ADOBE software (inDesign and Illustrator) are compatibles.

To use Acrobat Distiller, we know you have to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat, and not everyone has this. In this case, you just need to “carry” the Postscript document to a colleague (ideally someone who uses the same OS), and you can convert the .PS into a PDF on his/her workstation.

Whether you’re on PC or Mac, this manual will take you step by step through the process of creating a PDF document that’s compatible with our printers. In chronological order, here’s what to do to obtain high quality printing at the Reprography from your document:

1 install a virtual printer on PCwin or Mac
2 print to file .PRN/.PS from your source application (except for CS Adobe)
3 convert the .PS into .PDF using Acrobat Distiller
4 upload the PDF to our server \\repro\public
5 contact the Reprography person in charge of your kind of job
6 download and save the Repro order form (with your coordinates, account number, etc..) for billing and transfer to the appropriate person.

The complete procedure is explained in this PDF manual.

Step-by-step guide: overview
You have lots of questions ? Before going into details, read or print out this PDF file that will familiarize you with how the job is done, from the .ps file converted into a .pdf file to transferring the file to our server as well as providing a test document.

What must you give us ?

Test your document before sending it to us
Once you’ve generated your PostScript document and the PDF file has been generated, test it on your printer (not obligatory for simple copies). If it’s a complex job, it is necessary to test and print your file and send us this printout by campus mail; it will be used as a model for the operator (the person responsible for your job, with whom you have made contact beforehand).
Reminder: all this information is contained in this PDF.

Page Proofs – Timeline :
We cannot start your job until we have received the filled-in Repro order form.
Page Proofs: For a complex job, we can provide page proofs, please request this. You can then look things over one last time before the job is sent for final printing.
Timing: jobs are done in the order received. Most are thus done within the time requested on the repro order form. In the case of a rush job, please contact the person responsible to reach an alternative arrangement.

Naming files
Files uploaded to our server \\repro\public be labeled as follows:
- number of account named on the Repro order form + name of job .pdf, as in this example:
For example: 03-27_YourJob-Name.pdf
Exception, theses, example: Thesis_0000_Name.pdf
If your document generates several files, name them in the order of printing : 01_intro 02_chap1 etc... before uploading them to a folder/directory on the Repro server.

Upload your files to the server \\repro\public in the folder "noir et blanc" or "coipes"

For PC users:
build a new network drive: \\repro\public
or manually:
network neighborhood, network MS = EPFL network
domain name: scx
server name: repro
volume: public
then choose the directory "noir et blanc" (or "copies" if the job is simple, urgent or a small run)

For MAC OSX users:
menu "go to" - "connect to a server"
enter the path: smb://repro/public

To identify yourself
under user enter: guest
leave the other fields blank
then choose the directory "noir et blanc" (or "copies" if the job is simple, urgent or a small run)

You are no longer at EPFL ? How to generate PDF files (via printing in a PS file)
Because the PCwin installer can be downloaded from our internet site, any user, inside or outside the School can install the virtual PostScript «Xerox Global Print Driver». For the Mac, the «Generic PostScript Printer» driver is built-in to Mac OS X system, the persons outside of the School can also install and generate PS->PDF.

You don't have access to the EPFL network ?
Send us your PDF files (thesis or other) on a CD-R, DVD-R or USB key :
EPFL / DII-I / REPROGRAPHIE
BP 0.243 (Bâtiment Polyvalent)
Station 16
CH-1015 Lausanne

Coulor large jobs
Mr Michel GUYE Tel.: 3 42 93, email michel.guye@epfl.ch

Color / Black & White
Mr Enver KALIMASHI Tel.: 3 42 95, email enver.kalimashi@epfl.ch

Theses
Mrs Carinne CHRISTINAZ Tel.: 3 42 82, email carinne.christinaz@epfl.ch

Black & White - Courses
Mr Yves ROTH Tel.: 3 42 77, email yves.roth@epfl.ch

Digital support
Mr Roland CHABLOZ Tel.: 3 42 92, email roland.chabloz@epfl.ch
Questions about PS-PRN-PDF file – access to the REPRO server

More details on this page