News for Staff and Students

MFDs - not just for printing

08 December 2011

Smarter MFDs support scanning, stapling, sorting and stacking.

We all use the fleet of new MFDs (Multi Function Devices) to print, but are you making use of some of their other options for scanning, stapling, sorting and more?

Scanning

You can scan single or multiple pages at up to 600dpi (photo quality) from passports, books and images, as well as from single or double-sided sheets of paper. You can then email the scanned file/files as PDFs to yourself or others, as single or multiple file attachments (one document or page per file).

There is no charge for scanning and emailing so you save paper and money, particularly when scanning longer articles or pages from books to PDF. You can then read and review the resulting PDFs on screen, and print out only the relevant pages.

For more information, see our Quick guide to scanning to e-mail.

Setting up print options

Before printing to an MFD, take a moment to review the various print options. These can help reduce paper use, or the time it takes to print.

For example, if you are printing a Word document, click on the Properties button in the Print dialog. Among the options are:

Single or double-sided
Pages per sheet e.g. 2 or 4 per side
Document Size - e.g. A3, A4, letter, legal
Orientation - e.g. landscape or portrait
Colour or Black & White (Note: not all MFDs print colour)

Printing a draft quality, double-sided, 2 pages per sheet version of a document saves paper, and might be all you need. For more information, see our Quick guide to Printing.

Stapling and collating documents

Some MFDs can staple and collate printed or photocopied documents. Some will also rotate each pile, for easier separation. Collating includes:

Sorting into piles containing a single copy of each sheet, 123 123 123...
Stacking so that each pile contains multiple copies of the same sheet, 111 222 333...

Not sure if your nearest MFD can staple and collate?

Press the Copy button on the MFD:

If stapling is available, you will see Staple options on the touch screen.
If collating is available, you will see Sort and Stack options.

For more information, see our Quick guide to photocopying.

Where can I find an MFD?

Most departments provide printing, copying and scanning facilities for staff via MFDs. Visit our Staff printing, copying, scanning web pages for locations.

For students, there are printers/MFDs in or near to all PC classrooms and clusters and in public areas - see table below. In addition, there is at least one MFD or printer on each floor of the new library. Visit our Student printing, copying, scanning web pages for locations.

Need Help?

We are still developing customised guidance for getting the most out of the University’s fleet of new MFDs. If you’re not sure how to do something, please contact the Service Desk in the first instance – 01224 273636 or servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk.

Please continue to report any faults or issues, and if possible, include the serial number and location of the MFD.

Anita Williams [a.williams@abdn.ac.uk]
Help Desk Officer

Rianne Williams [rianne.williams@abdn.ac.uk]
Assistant IT Trainer