As an Iowa State student, you receive an allotment of print credits each semester funded through student technology fees. At many places on campus, printing 1 page (black and white) uses 5 credits. Therefore, if you printed 10 pages, you would use 50 print credits. If you run low on print credits and are nearing a zero balance (0), you can request more print credits in the ISU Service Portal. 

PaperCut is the name of the software Iowa State uses to manage on-campus printing. The PaperCut software helps in sending print jobs from a specific device to an ISU printer. The PaperCut software also keeps track of how many credits you’re using and how many you have left. 

Students receive 1000 base print credits each semester. 

Yes. Incoming students who are new to Iowa State receive 50 print credits. They can use these print credits while on campus for orientation, to print their schedule of events or other materials.

The Iowa State campus has many locations at which you can print. The cost of printing varies, depending on the printer location and your major. We advise that you check with your department on printing options. Printing within your department is typically the most efficient use of your credits. 

  • Computer labs managed by your college or department: Varies, up to 5 credits = 1 page.
  • Parks Library, 5 credits = 1 page. 
  • Residence halls, 5 credits = 1 page.
  • Memorial Union, 5 credits = 1 page. 

Please note, these costs represent black and white printing. The cost of color printing varies and can be up to 25 credits per page.

You can find more information about printing, scanning and copying at Parks Library on this webpage. 

You can print to a university printer – say, a printer in Parks Library or a residence hall – using your own laptop or other device. To do this, follow the instructions in the how-to article Print: Use Your Laptop to Print to a Campus Printer.

Additional how-to articles are also available for printing from your phone/tablet and printing from a Linux device.  

If you happen to buy a printer for your dorm room or other on-campus housing, it cannot be added to Iowa State’s network. It may be easiest to use a cable to connect the two devices.

For these reasons, it is recommended that students first consider how printing from university-owned printers can meet their needs.

No, there is no difference in printing credits allotted to part-time and full-time students.

Printing double-sided is considered 2 pages for most printers. Some computer labs may provide a partial discount to print double-sided. 

Don’t worry – if you're running low, you can request more print credits, funded through your student technology fee. Use the form linked below. 

Submit this form to request more print credits