Mac OS and PowerPoint 2004 Walkthrough

Make sure you have installed and configured the printer using the instructions. Macintosh install

If you want to make a poster that is 36x42, 42x42 or 42x56, simply download one of the templates above and skip to step 3. It is strongly recommended that you use a template.

Open PowerPoint. If you are not using a template, you need to specify the size of the poster. Pick a size that is 42" or smaller in at least one dimension.
Go to File, choose Page Setup. Subtract 1" from the height and width you chose, then enter their values here. For instance, if you wanted a poster that was 30 inches tall and 40 inches wide, enter 29 for the height and 39 for the width. We do this to compensate for the printer margins. Click OK. If you are warned about the page size, ignore the message for the moment and click OK again.
Begin to edit your document. Add images and text boxes. Save frequently. Make sure you create a poster that is easily readable from a few feet away. See the Simple Poster Guide for PowerPoint Users. When using the guidelines in this walkthrough (or one of the pre-made templates) you can have your images and text go right to the edge of the PowerPoint document. When you are done, save your poster and proceede to the next step.
We need to choose or set the paper size that the printer will use. Go to File, select Page Setup. Click Options. The next steps will vary, depending on which verison of Mac OS X you have. (These instructions are for 10.4.)
In the Paper Size box, either choose an existing paper size that matches what you want, or choose Manage Custom Sizes.
Click the plus sign to add a new paper size. Specify the dimensions. We will use the full size of the paper here. Continuing our example from above, the dimensions we want would be 30x40. Enter the height and width. If the margins are not set to zero, do so now. If you want to add another custom size, click the plus sign again. When you are done, click OK.
Back in the Page Setup box, choose the new custom paper size you just made. Click OK. Click OK again. If you get a warning about page sizes at this point, you might need to go back and try switching the height and width values.
Visit the Poster Printer and check the type of paper that is loaded. Make sure it is the kind you want. If it isn't, notify Adam or Barron so they can change it (or show you how). Please don't change the paper yourself unless someone has already shown you how.
Back at your computer, in PowerPoint, go to the File menu and select Print.
Choose the Designjet 5500ps poster printer.
Click the Preview button. Your poster will open in the Preview application.
Examine your poster carefully. If anything seems wrong, go back and check your poster again. The most common problems are with the poster sizes, so be sure to check them. Also see the Poster Printer FAQ for more troubleshooting tips.
Quit Preview. Go back to PowerPoint. Go to File and Print. Select the Designjet printer again. If you're sure everything is ready, click Print.
Your poster will begin printing shortly. Go to the printer room and examine the first part of the poster as it is printed. If you see any errors, cancel the job by clicking the "cancel" button on the printer. Only hit the button once - it may take a few seconds to respond, and you don't want to cancel anyone else's job.
If all goes well, your poster will finish printing. It will dry for a few moments, then be automatically cut off the roll. Your poster will usually be waiting in the basket under the printer, but sometimes they get moved to the front room.

If you encounter any problems you can't seem to resolve, contact Adam or Barron sooner rather than later. They can probably save you some trouble.

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