Printing PDFs

[Filcher]

How do you go about printing your PDFs?

"Cntrl-p." Thanks.

(I'm working under the assumption that it is legal for me to print and bind a copy, for personal use, of my legally purchased PDF, but please feel free to correct me.)

But can anyone recommend an online copy shop that will print/bind from PDFs?

I'm gun shy from an encounter with a copy shop that refused to print a PDF, even though I was the author and owner (and it it said so in the copyright line --- "Here's my driver's license, can you print this out already?").

Sadly, because the some shops are over vigilant, I think I may need to look for an online print shop that isn't too finicky about copyright issues. Any experience with FedEx's service? Lulu is just an expensive workaround.

When color copiers are outlawed, only outlaws will have color copiers.

 

[MortonStromgal]

I bought a nice color laser printer after reading some reviews on new egg

 

[kitsune9]

How do you go about printing your PDFs?

"Cntrl-p." Thanks.

(I'm working under the assumption that it is legal for me to print and bind a copy, for personal use, of my legally purchased PDF, but please feel free to correct me.)

But can anyone recommend an online copy shop that will print/bind from PDFs?

I'm gun shy from an encounter with a copy shop that refused to print a PDF, even though I was the author and owner (and it it said so in the copyright line --- "Here's my driver's license, can you print this out already?").

Sadly, because the some shops are over vigilant, I think I may need to look for an online print shop that isn't too finicky about copyright issues. Any experience with FedEx's service? Lulu is just an expensive workaround.

When color copiers are outlawed, only outlaws will have color copiers.

You're going to get that over-vigilance a lot at places like Kinko's. I think it's more of a personal policy that they don't want to have anything to do with printing books unless it looks like business brochures, presentations, and such. I've had more than one argument with some minimum wage clerk who didn't want to print out a book for me.

 

[Asmor]

I've never had any problems at Staples. In fact, my local staples has a color printer that you can stick a USB drive in and print the PDFs yourself. I've also printed gaming PDFs at a number of Staples by submitting the order online.

I imagine it all comes down to the people working there. Between locally-owned mom & pop print shops, and larger operations like Staples and Kinkos, you've got enough options that if some place so much as looked at me weird I'd just pack up and go elsewhere. I don't appreciate being treated like a thief, and if they don't want my money then I don't want to give it to them.

 

[gamerprinter]

Yeah, Kinko's like many chain print facilities maintain a policy to avoid printing what is on a defined list of things they should avoid - just avoid law suits.

I run my digital printing shop, though I don't do POD bindery, so I'm not recommending me for that, but I know what I can and cannot print. PDF printing? No problem with my shop.

I know for instance in NYC, about 10 years ago, many university professors were taking their text books to Kinko's and copying portions of those books for a syllabus of test questions (I know that's not the same thing as printing a PDF), but the New York City Publishers of those text books sued Kinko's for printing them for $4 million and won their case.

Thus Kinkos is very apprehensive about printing what they deem as questionable - and PDF printing its seems is on their list of questionable printing.

 

[Filcher]

Asmor, thank you the Staples suggestion. I had forgotten all about their copy centers.

As PDFs become more and more the medium for content delivery, it seems like this will come up more often. Five years ago I would have scoffed at the idea of a pay printer/binder at a FLGS ... but shoot, right now, it would make sense for me.

Edit: Although, I'm sure I'll be reading gaming PDFs off a tablet in the next 3 years, so maybe this is just a transition window.

 

[gamerprinter]

@ Filcher - Gamer Printshop

Also, if looking for me to print something that is not in my store, you will need to send me the file through Email, with a request on your preferred print dimensions, and whether you need lamination or not. I will reply with a quote.

The Ecommerce store is only good for map products that are in the store. For maps not in the store, Email is the only way I can do it for you.

My Email is in my Sig below...

 

[Krensky]

Typically Kinkos or Staples just wants something written down they can file away saying you have permission. Try emailing the publisher, politely asking for a short written permission to print the file.

Now this is somewhat dependent on the publisher and the drone at the office store, but it can work wonders.

 

[Treebore]

It hasn't been clearly defined by court decisions that I am aware of, but anyone should be able to print a personal use copy based on other parts of copyright law pertaining to music. So as long as your printing a single personal use copy that you will keep in your possession and not distribute to others your pretty safe as far as the law goes.

Also any print store should have a form for you to fill out where you swear your not making an illegal copy. That you are doing it for personal use only. Plus they should only have questions if you are printing more than one copy.

Edit: and since I like to be safe rather than sorry I have had great success getting an e-mail from various publishers saying they are fine with me printing out a personal use copy. I haven't asked WOTC because I don't buy their stuff anymore, and I haven't asked Paizo because I subscribe, so get a PDF and print. But I have asked a lot of the other 3pp's and had no trouble getting them to formally say I could.

 

[nedjer]

Print to screen? Getting a bit ahead of the total costs at present, but I'm having a great laugh playing around with RPGs on a Galaxy Tab (borrowed sadly). Once the costs lower to 'pay as you go' land and you get the weight of a Galaxy with the screen size of an iPad, looks a winner. I've only got Treasure in html on it right now, which is just a dream as I've all ny browser tools and extensions right there.

Wait a minute . . . this is why I went for the quad processor. Quick burn and transfer - PDF looks good too. Though again the iPad size and the Galaxy weight would polish it off bigtime. The soon to arrive iPad 2 may be the device that cracks this as a serious option for whole collections, though I'll wait and get an Android device myself.

Or there are some sexy Neo netbooks which are well portable, but . . . overpriced for the next three months. thereafter good power, high mobility.