Print Unit Services - faq
What services does the Print & Reprographics Unit provide?
There are three main services which we provide: the Central Reprographics Service, Managed Printing Service, and the University ID card service. These are explained in detail on our Services for staff and ID cards pages.
Where is the Print & Reprographics Unit located?
Hastings Building, adjacent to car park 1 (Science car park)
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Thursday and 9am-4.30pm on Fridays.
Revised opening times apply during exam paper production periods.
ID card service opening hours: 9.30am-12.30pm and 2.30-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Normal University closure days apply.
Contacts
General enquiries/orders
T (01273) 67 8216
E printunit@sussex.ac.uk
ID card enquiries
T (01273) 87 3278
E k.e.hunt@sussex.ac.uk
How can I pay for printing and copying?
Internal University work is normally recharged to a budget code, provided by the requestor on placement of order. Alternatively, work can be paid for in cash or by cheque made payable to 'University of Sussex'. We do not currently have facilities to accept payment by credit or debit card, and we are not able to charge printing work to a student account or printing account.
I've lost my ID card. What should I do?
You can use the drop-in service to get a replacement ID card if yours has been lost or stolen. See our ID cards page for more information.
ID cards will only be deemed to be stolen on presentation of a valid police crime reference number.
Stolen ID cards will be re-issued free of charge.
Lost ID cards will be charged at £10.00 per card, payable by cash or cheque on collection.
I need to print a poster. What should I do?
We can print colour posters up to A0 in house, from Word, Powerpoint, Publisher or PDF, and turn them around for you within 48 hours.
We can arrange for larger sizes and/or special finishes to be printed for you via an external approved supplier but you will need to allow a minimum of 3 working days for production. Please see our poster printing page for more details.
How much will I be charged for black and white photocopying?
We charge a flat rate of 3p per A4 copy and 5p per A3 for work we undertake in the Print Unit, plus paper. Standard white A4 copy paper is 0.5p per sheet. Copy cards for use in our self-service machine are available which charge at the rate of 3p per A4 and 6p per A3 copy, including paper (except for low-value (20-unit) cards which vend at 5p per A4 and 10p per A3). See our Standard price list and Student price list for more details.
Why should I use the Print & Reprographics Unit for jobs which are outsourced anyway?
Jobs which can not be produced by the Central Reprographics Service are undertaken by external, University-approved suppliers, but the Print Unit oversees the work for you, to ensure that it is completed on schedule and to an acceptable standard - we do the legwork; you need only liaise with us. This saves you time to spend on your primary duties in the knowledge that your printing is being managed by a professional who understands the process and has an existing relationship with the supplier being used.
There are currently 20 approved print suppliers, who have been selected by an extensive tendering procedure to ensure they can deliver good quality, service and value for money. Between them they can handle the majority of types of work which the University generates.
Why should I pay a surcharge on my printing if I can save some money by organising it myself?
We add a small (10 per cent, capped at £100) surcharge to the cost of externally produced print jobs when recharging internal customers. This surcharge covers the cost of the manager's time spent processing the order, requesting quotations, booking the job in with the selected supplier, raising the purchase order, liaising with the supplier throughout the job to ensure it progresses smoothly, addressing any technical issues/problems which may arise, taking delivery of the finished job, performing standard quality checks, and dispatching the work through the internal delivery system to its final destination.
All this will become your responsibility if you choose to manage your own print projects - which you are free to do, provided you use only Approved suppliers and adhere to the University's procurement requirements.
We believe that the added value you get from making use of our service is well worth the small charge we make for it!
How long will it take to print my job?
Normal turnaround time for reprographic work is 5 working days from placement of order, and for externally sourced printing 5 working days from proof approval. Where work is required more urgently we will accommodate your needs where we can, but this is not guaranteed. At certain times of year we are extremely busy and turnaround times can be longer than normal depending on the volume of requests we are handling.
How do I order University stationery?
To order stationery, please use the Stationery request form. Fill in the form (you must include a valid budget code or the order will not be accepted) and you will be sent a PDF proof to check before your stationery is printed. Please note that stationery layouts have been standardised by the Branding Team and are not open to change.
I need to get something professionally designed. Can the Print Unit help?
The Print Unit does not offer a design service. Design services are available through a separate framework agreement managed by the Publications and Branding Team. This should be your first contact point where this kind of work is required.