Digital Lab Policies & Procedures
Digital Lab Reservations
Reservations for computers and scanners have priority. Members can always welcome to try and walk-in, but reservations always have priority over walk-in users. Members reserving the Digital Lab are responsible for keeping their reserved times. Please note that members will be charged the full amount of their reservation if they don't contact us to cancel at least 24 hours prior to their reservation time. Reservations for the Digital Lab are currently made by calling 612.643.3511 or by email. By mid to late summer, an online system for booking Digital Lab reservations is scheduled to be available
No Food or Drink in the Digital Lab
Please do not bring food or drink into the Digital Lab Feel free to use the lounge or kitchen. Water and coffee are always available to members at no charge.
Do Not Leave Files on the Computers
MPC is not responsible for any files left on Digital Lab computers. The hard drives are cleaned on a regular basis. Any folders or files left on the desktop will be deleted. Please bring an external memory source like a portable hard drive, thumb drive, CD or DVD, as we will delete any information left on the desktop. CDs and DVDs are available from MPC at a fee of $1.00(CD) and $2.00(DVD).
Staff Assistance vs. Education
On any given day MPC staff on duty are always available and happy to answer any Digital Lab questions, but do not have the time to walk through all the ins and outs of the computers, software, scanners and printers. To become familiar with the Digital Lab, we strongly suggest members set-up a one on one appointment, and/or sign-up for the frequently occurring “Introduction to the MPC Digital Lab” class. This introduction will alleviate any frustration members might otherwise run into, and ensure that the lab equipment is used properly. For more information on scheduling, please contact us.
Printing in the Digital Lab
We stock Epson Premium Luster and Premium Enhanced Matte as our standard printing paper, and Ilford Gold Fibre Silk and Hahnemuhle Photo Rag as our premium papers. Printing charges are $07/sq in for standard papers and $.11/sq in for premium papers. Printing charges are $.06/sq in for user-supplied papers. Charges are on the closest square inch and not a fraction of an inch. There are forms supplied for recording print dimensions and must be handed to the lab tech or other MPC Staff for check out when members are finished. MPC staff are happy to assist in calculating printing charges. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted for payment. Members will not be charged for printing if it’s an error of the printer, transport, clogged nozzles or banding. Paper profiles that may cause off color prints are the responsibility of the user and will be charged accordingly.
Printing Services Available
MPC printing experts can print members’ images at a charge of $35/hr plus the following rates: $.10 per square inch for Epson Premium Luster or Premium Enhanced Matte; $.15 per square inch for Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique or Hahnemuhle Photo Rag papers. Prices are subject to change without notice, so please contact us for a formal quote.
Scanning
Members have a certain amount of allotted scanning credit in the form of hours as part of their membership benefits (please refer to the details of the appropriate membership level). When members exceed the allotted free time specified in their membership benefits they will be charged for additional scanning time. Please use the sign-in/sign-out sheets on the wall of the Digital Lab when using the scanners. Scanning benefits extend only to the Nikon Coolscan 9000s film scanner and the Epson Perfection V750 flatbed scanner. Drum scanning services using MPC’s Howtek Scanmaster 4500 Drum Scanner are provided for a separate fee.
Network/Cabling
MPC has setup a network such that each of the computers in the Digital Lab can print to each of the printers, with only a few exceptions. These exceptions are noted via signage in the lab. Please use the network and cabling provided and do not attempt to run additional USB or network cables between the various computers, scanners, and printers. If you are having difficulty, please contact an MPC staff member.
