CAP Fab Labs · AB 011

Communication Resource Center

Open Access · Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm · Sat–Sun Closed · Architecture Building

The CRC is CAP’s print-and-supply hub — large-format and laser printing, scanning, a wide range of studio supplies for purchase, and equipment checkout. Open to all CAP students, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

What You Need

Open to everyone — no certification or training required to use the space
BSU ID — required for equipment checkout
Print-ready file (PDF preferred) — there are no editing workstations on-site
Payment — for prints and supplies

Printing

Large-Format & Laser

The CRC runs two 36-inch large-format plotters plus small-format color laser printers. Bring your files ready to print — there are no workstations for editing on-site. PDF is preferred; JPG and TIFF are also accepted.

Machines

HP PageWide XL5000 Large Format · 36″

Bond, Vellum, Glossy, Photo Satin

HP Designjet Z5200ps Large Format · 36″

Watercolor, Bristol, Vellum, Bond, Card Stock, Kraft, Newsprint

Color Laser Printers Small Format

Standard letter and tabloid formats for smaller projects

File Prep — Before You Arrive

Export as PDF — the most reliable format for large-format output (JPG / TIFF also accepted)
Set document size to your intended print dimensions before exporting
Embed or outline all fonts — missing fonts won’t render
Confirm scale — know your 1:X ratio and verify against a known dimension
For 36-inch prints, set width to 36″ and let the plotter determine the length

Pricing

Print Costs

Large-format printing is priced per square inch by paper type, calculated from your document dimensions. Example: a 36×48″ sheet at bond pricing is 1,728 sq in × $0.0125 = ~$21.60.

Paper Type	Available On	Cost / Sq In
Bond	Both plotters	$0.0125
Vellum	Both plotters	$0.0125
Glossy	HP PageWide XL5000	$0.02
Photo Satin	HP PageWide XL5000	$0.02
Watercolor	HP Designjet Z5200ps	See staff
Bristol	HP Designjet Z5200ps	See staff
Kraft / Newsprint	HP Designjet Z5200ps	See staff
Color Laser (small format)	Laser printers	See staff

Also Available

Large-format scanning via the WideTEK 36 scanner (up to 36 inches wide), full-service photocopying, and self-serve printing & plotting — staff will help you set up. Ask staff for pricing on these services.

For Purchase

Supplies

The CRC stocks studio materials that are hard to find locally — most available immediately, no ordering required. See staff for current inventory and pricing.

Acrylic sheets

Cardboard

Chip board

Mat board

Foam core

Museum board

Bond sheets

Vellum sheets

Mylar sheets

Bristol sheets

Watercolor sheets

Trace paper

Cardstock

Transparency sheets

Dowels

Sketch pads

Tapes (various)

Pens & pencils

Markers

Paint pens

Scales / rulers

Glues (various)

Portfolio albums

X-Acto knives & blades

Batteries

Paintbrushes

Correction tape

Erasers

Pencil sharpeners

Page protectors

Flash drives

Locks

CD-Rs

Borrow

Equipment Checkout

Several items are available for short-term checkout — bring your BSU ID. Some are restricted to faculty and staff.

Digital Cameras Faculty, Staff & Students

Documentation, studio photography, and site visits

65″ Smartboards (×4) Faculty & Staff

Large interactive display panels for presentations and critiques

Epson Portable Projectors Faculty & Staff

Compact projectors for classroom or studio presentations

Laser Pointers Faculty & Staff

For use during presentations and critiques

New to the plotter, spray booths, or shared surfaces?

CRC Usage Guides →