MCW Libraries Poster Printing

Overview of Services

The MCW Libraries poster printing service is an internal resource for MCW faculty, staff, students and residents. Non-academic posters may be printed on a case-by-case basis, but in all instances the submitter must have an employment or enrollment relationship with MCW. We can accommodate requests from staff at clinical affiliates (Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, Versiti Blood Research Institute, VA) as cash or check orders.

All poster orders must be submitted via iLab. For assistance establishing an iLab account, contact ilab@mcw.edu with questions.

Large Orders (5+ posters):

• Please contact posterprinting@mcw.edu at least five (5) business days in advance if you will be submitting more than five (5) posters at once. Our standard 48 hour/two business day turnaround cannot be assumed for larger orders.

Submit your poster printing request with iLab

Need an iLab account?

Follow these instructions to register for iLab and request service: 

Note: there are two sets of instructions depending on your classification

MCW Employees (anyone with an MCW Employee ID number-Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students receiving stipends)

External Customers (anyone without an MCW Employee ID number- Medical Students, Residents, Clinincal Fellows, affiate employees of Versiti Blood Research Institute, Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert and others)

Please allow up to 24 hours to process your account request.

For assistance establishing an iLab account, contact ilab@mcw.edu with questions.

Poster Requirements: 

• MCW Logo images must be of high quality. Downloadable logos can be found on InfoScope.
• The preferred file format for posters is a PowerPoint slide (PPT or PPTX), but PDFs are also acceptable.
• iLab can accept files up to 25MB. Upload larger files to Box and attach the sharing URL to your request. Large files may also be brought to the Todd Wehr Library service desk on a flash drive.
• Square and custom sizes are available as well. However, the minimum size we will print is 18x24. One dimension cannot exceed 60 inches. Large sizes will incur oversize charges.  Please contact posterprinting@mcw.edu for details.

Paper Choices:
This choice does not affect cost. Posters are priced based on size. 

• Plain: Matte finish, coated stock, substantially thicker than normal copy paper. May wrinkle if the poster contains large, intense color blocks or if the background is a solid color.
• Glossy: Equivalent to high-gloss (shiny) photo paper.
• Fabric: A close-weave polyester that can be folded and even ironed at low heat.

Standards of Service: 

• MCW Libraries expects that all poster files submitted have been completely proofread, approved and are print-ready.
• If staffing and volume allow, we will do a cursory final check. If an obvious error is spotted prior to printing, we will contact the submitter to confirm any correction before proceeding. However, this final check is not guaranteed.
• If corrections or changes are made by you after submission, please send the revised file to posterprinting@mcw.edu immediately. We will replace the submitted file with the new version. However, if the poster has already been printed, MCW Libraries will charge for any reprints requested due to late changes on the part of the submitter.
• Our standard delivery target is within 48 hours or two business days. The poster printing service is not available on weekends. Posters submitted after 4:00 pm on Friday will be processed the following week.
• Prepaid posters can be picked up from the rack in front of the Todd Wehr Library Service Desk at any time. The Todd Wehr Library is accessible 24/7 with an MCW ID badge. Posters that need to be paid for with cash or check can be picked up during staffed library hours at the Todd Wehr Library Service Desk, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Next-Day Expedited Service:

• The Library offers next-day expedited service for orders received prior to 4 pm Monday through Thursday. Next-day requests received before 4 pm Friday will be available the following Monday. There is an extra $15 fee for expedited service. Our ability to provide this service is dependent on staffing and volume. We will email you immediately if an expedited request cannot be accommodated.

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

• Creating a Poster in Power Point (PDF) is a guide to help you create a clear, easy to read poster.
• Designing an Effective Poster (YouTube Video) presented on March 31, 2014 by Lynn Lewandowski, Educational Technology Specialist. Learn how to effectively use PowerPoint to create a poster.
• Bingham, R., & O'Neal, D. (2013). Developing Great Abstracts and Posters. Nursing for Women’s Health, 17(2), 131-138.
• Starting from scratch? Here is a basic 36x48 MCW template.
• Tips on Creating a Printable Poster.

Contacts