Chemistry Poster Printing Resource

Poster Printing

Our Poster printing facility is equipped with Canon imagePROGRAF-4100 and 4600 printers, capable of ultra-high-resolution printing up to 2400×1200 dpi on paper rolls up to 42 inches wide. We offer printing on HP Premium Instant-Dry Gloss Photo Paper for vibrant photo prints, as well as foldable Heavyweight Vinyl for durable, easy-to-transport banners and posters.

Poster File Format:
We accept files in PDF or PowerPoint format. If you are designing your poster on a Mac, please export your work as a PDF and select “Best for electronic distribution and accessibility” rather than “Best for printing” to ensure proper rendering.

Poster Size Recommendations:
Large-format printers use paper loaded from continuous rolls. The width of the roll in our
printers is fixed at 42 inches, while the length unrolls to accommodate almost any design length. Although we can print custom sizes, keeping one side of your design at exactly 42 inches prevents extra white space. Some examples of optimal sizes that require zero trimming are 31.5”x42”, 36” x 42”, 42” x 42” (square poster), 42”x56”, 42” x 60”, 42” x 72” etc.

If neither side is 42 inches, e.g. a 36″x48″ poster will be printed on the 42-inch roll, leaving a 6-inch blank strip that will require trimming. Alternatively, posters can be scaled, so that one side fits the 42-inch width to eliminate excess paper, a 36″x48″ poster could be scaled to 31.5″x42″ or 42″x56″. Other unscaled sizes that will require trimming are 30” x 40”, 24” x 36” etc. We do not trim posters in-house (see FAQ for more information on trimming).

Recommended Submission Timeline:
We strongly encourage you to submit your file at least 2 days before you need the finished poster. While we usually provide same-day turnaround, unforeseen technical issues can arise. Allowing a 2-day buffer ensures your poster will be ready on time.

Poster Submission:
Please submit your printing requests using our online Poster Submission Form. You will need to provide your Principal Investigator’s (PI) name and email, the funding account number to charge, your paper preference (Vinyl or Gloss), the poster dimensions, and any special instructions before uploading your file (PowerPoint or PDF). Be sure to check the email receipt box if you would like a confirmation copy sent to your inbox.

A digital proof is available upon request. Please thoroughly review your design to ensure all elements appear correctly, paying close attention to symbols and images. Because our system fonts may differ from yours, unformatted text can shift, we recommend saving your file as a PDF or embedding your fonts to preserve your design.

Poster File Format:
We accept files in PDF or PowerPoint format. If you are designing your poster on a Mac, please export your work as a PDF and select “Best for electronic distribution and accessibility” rather than “Best for printing” to ensure proper rendering.

Printing Media Options:
We offer two paper options.
Heavy Weight Gloss (HP Instant-Dry Gloss Photo Paper)
Heavy Weight Vinyl (Can be folded and transported in a suitcase)

Location:
McMillen Chem Labs, Room 429
Campus map link (Building 154, G2 )

Hours:
Weekdays, 8:00 – 4:30 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size prints are available?
Our paper roll is 42 inches wide. While we can print custom sizes, keeping one side of your design at exactly 42 inches (e.g., 42″x42″, 31.5″x42″, or 42″x56″) prevents extra white space. If neither side is 42 inches, e.g. a 36″x48″ poster will be printed on the 42-inch roll, leaving a 6-inch blank strip that will require trimming.

How long does it take?
We strongly encourage you to submit your file at least 2 days before you need your printed poster. While we provide same day printing, unexpected delays can occur. Giving us a 2-day buffer guarantees your order will be ready on time. If you have an urgent deadline, please give us at least 2 days’ notice so we can prioritize your project.

Do you trim posters?
We do not trim posters in-house. If your design results in extra white space along the edges, you will need to trim it yourself. Trimming is straightforward and the poster edges will not fray, simply use a straight edge with a box cutter, craft blade, or pair of scissors.

Can I fold vinyl posters?
Yes, vinyl posters can be folded and packed into a suitcase for easy travel. Any creases caused by folding can be smoothed out before your presentation by gently ironing the poster. To safely iron a polyester fabric poster, set your iron to the lowest heat (synthetic setting) and iron only the back side, avoiding direct contact with the printed image. Always place a clean, dry towel, press cloth, or parchment paper between the iron and the poster to protect against melting. Apply light pressure and keep the iron moving continuously.

Do you provide poster tubes for poster storage and transportation?
We do not supply poster tubes, but they are readily available for purchase at the University Bookstore. We occasionally have a limited supply of free leftover tubes (42” with no end caps). Please email us to check current availability of poster tubes.

How do I pay for poster printing?
Payment is processed through monthly invoices sent directly to your Principal Investigator (PI). To submit your order, please complete the Poster Submission Form with your PI’s contact information (email and phone number) and the funding account number to be charged.

How long will my poster’s color last?
Our posters are printed using high-quality, UV-resistant dyes. Posters displayed throughout our hallways have maintained vibrant color for several years without any noticeable fading.

Can I have my poster laminated?
We do not offer in-house lamination services. However, pairing our low-cost poster printing with a local third-party lamination service remains significantly more affordable than printing elsewhere.

Here are nearby vendors near campus that laminate posters:
• Hi/Tec Copy Center: 375 N. Big Bend Blvd. | (314) 863-4111 | (up to 36″)
• FedEx Office (Ladue): 8805 Ladue Rd. | (314) 725-8704 | (up to 42″)
• Commercial Document Solutions: 614 Olive St. | (314) 421-5141

Where else can I print my poster on-campus?  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides a poster printing service, located in Room 183 of the Earth & Planetary Sciences Building, Contact: Bill Winston at 314-935-8426 or billwinston@wustl.edu. You may also want to contact Kristin G. Sobotka at the Office of Undergraduate Research: ksobotka@artsci.wustl.edu Washington University in St. Louis 314-935-7494

We cannot do 48 inch width posters. If you need one, you’ll have to do that elsewhere – Earth & Planetary Science Library has one. Talk to Marti or Cheryl at 314-935-5406.

Service available to Washington University only.

Priority service for Washington University only.

• Poster printing

• Canon imagePROGRAF-4100, 42 inch paper, Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi, Gloss Paper
• Canon imagePROGRAF-4600, 42 inch paper, Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi, Vinyl Fabric

Pricing is subject to core verification

The cost is (per linear ft of paper used):
Heavy Wight Gloss : $10.00
Heavy-Weight Vinyl: $14.00
Effective October, 2026