About

The Plotting service at the Technology Lab is available to current students, faculty, and staff in the School of Architecture community. The Technology Lab has four plotters: two KIP 970 laser plotters named Doug and Marjan, and two HP Z6 ink plotters named Su and Sydney. Details about the paper types and dimensions are listed below along with directions on how to plot.

Please note that our pricing structure has recently changed. Plot cost is now calculated by the linear foot. For example, plotting a 24" x 36" file on the 36" KIP will result in 24" linear inches being plotted. The student would be charged for 2 linear feet of paper plus the coverage of ink/toner. We provide estimates below for the minimum, average, and maximum ink/toner coverage per linear foot on each plotter and paper type on our Plotting Costs & Estimates page and examples on our Plotting Cost Examples page.

Plotter Information

Plotting Costs & Estimates

Samples of paper type and print quality are on display near the Technology Desk and are available for reference on the Plotting Cost Examples page.

Pricing is based on the linear feet of paper used, and the amount of ink/toner used. These values can only be estimated in advance, as the plotters use a live monitoring system to measure exactly how much toner or ink is used on each print job. Since the 'tooth' of the paper can vary from print to print, so can the amount of toner or ink used, even if they are plotting the same file. We provide the minimum, average, and maximum cost per linear foot (LF) for each paper type so that students can estimate the cost of their plots.

Linear Foot Estimates for Plots

Best Practices 

• All file names must begin with the student's EID
  • This helps us reconcile plots submitted under the wrong EID on ImagePro
• We ask that all prints be submitted as a flattened PDF
  • InDesign and Photoshop files are not advised as they frequently have errors in printing
• Due to plot volume and drying time, students are allowed to pick up their plots later
  • Unclaimed plots are placed on the table near the plotters for later pickup
  • Any unclaimed plots are recycled Friday at close
• Plots over 72” are not advised and will not be given a refund or reprint if there are issues in the print
  • It is suggested that prints over 72” are paneled down into smaller drawings
  • Consider limiting your plot to 60" on one side and sending the file through the HP plotter

Support

• Front-line support for Plotting is provided by the Technology Desk staff
  • soatechdesk@utexas.edu
  • 512-471-1189
  • Technology Lab SUT 1.100
• Administrative and billing support for Plotting is provided by TRIG
  • trig@utexas.edu
  • SUT 1.120

Documentation