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Printing From ArcGIS to Plotters

These are basic instructions for printing from ArcGIS to either of the vendacard color plotters in Mann Library. These instructions will work for most print jobs. Preview your print job before you print to make sure you'll get the desired results. If you know in advance that you will want to print a map, set up the page size and orientation before you make the map because it will affect the size of features, symbols, labels, text, and other map elements.

If you need assistance with the plotter, please ask a Computer Operator. If you need GIS assistance, please ask the staff at the reference desk.

  1. Open your file in ArcGIS.
  2. Left-click on the File menu and choose Page and Print Setup.
  3. Change the page orientation if necessary, and make sure that "Scale Map Elements proportionally to changes in Page Size" is checked. Your map will automatically adjust to changes in page size, but you may also want to make adjustments.
  4. Select the plotter ($4.00/ft Color VendaPlotter or $8.00/ft Color VendaPlotter) from the Name pull-down menu.
  5. Click on Properties.

ArcGIS Plotter print setup

Page and print setup screenshot

 

  1. On the Paper Size list, scroll down to the bottom of the list and choose <Edit Paper List...>

ArcGIS Plotter Properties

Papersize properties screenshot

 

  1. Under Custom paper sizes, choose one of the custom settings, and change the the width and height settings to conform to your desired page settings. The plotter paper is 42 inches wide, so do not enter a width of greater than 42 inches.

ArcGIS Plotter Paper Size

Paper sizes screenshot

 

  1. Click OK to close the Paper Sizes dialog box.
  2. Make sure your size settings now appear in the Printer Properties box, which should still be open. Click OK to close the dialog box.

ArcGIS Plotter Properties Set

Printer properties screenshot

 

  1. Make sure your size settings now appear in the Page and Print Setup box, which should still be open. Click OK to close the dialog box.
  2. From the File menu, choose Print Preview to preview your print job. Close the preview window.
  3. Make any changes and preview again, if necessary.
  4. When you are ready to print, select Print from the File menu. Make sure the Printer Engine is set to "Windows Printer."

ArcGIS Plotter Print Setup

File-print screenshot

 

  1. Click OK to start your print job.

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