E-token Printing FAQ
What are E-tokens?
To print to any campus Print Services printer (in the Main Library or a computer Lab), you must first set up an electronic token (E-token) account. Each E-token costs 5 cents and pays for one black and white laser printed page. You may also use E-tokens for the library color laser printer, but each page costs 8 E-tokens or 40 cents. Tabloid (11x17) Color E-token cost is 16 E-tokens (80 cents).
How do I get an E-token account?
To create your account, you must purchase a minimum of 100 E-tokens.
MSU students/faculty/staff may purchase E-tokens online by charging them to your next MSU eBill or using Spartan Cash or credit card. Go to: https://netprint.msu.edu, login, then click on "Purchase E-tokens." If you have any questions about purchasing E-tokens online, please ask at the Main Library Circulation Desk.
Who can help me set up my E-token account or buy more E-tokens?
In the Main Library, get help at the Main Library Circulation Desk.
NOTE: Community users are not eligible for E-token accounts but may print to the Library Copy Center from Main Library "Selected Resources" computers.
How do I print single-sided from a main library computer?
In most cases, you can go to the "File" menu, select "Print", then in the pull down menu that allows you to select a printing option select "Single-sided E-token".
If you are printing from Adobe or another PDF reader click on the print button in the reader and then select "Single-sided E-token."
What if I only want to print a few pages, not 100?
Library computers can also print at the Copy Center (2-West) for 5 cents per page, payable by cash, check, Visa/MasterCard/Discover, or departmental account number.
NOTE: A Copy Center job is not printed until you go to the Copy Center to pick it up - which must be done within 4 hours or the print job will be deleted - and there may be others ahead of you. You are responsible for payment of all pages that you ask staff to print, so please keep track of your print jobs, particularly the number of requests you send.
Where does my print go when I click on the "print" icon?
As the default, computers are linked to the nearest E-token printer and will print double-sided unless you select single-sided printing or another printer option.
Where are the E-token printers?
Each computer prints to one printer in the same area. Before booting a computer, find the printer (in the following areas) so you know where it is:
- 1-East - SE corner (south of East wing elevators)
- 1-East - by the Reference Collection
- 1-East - Reference Instruction Room
- 3-East - near the elevator
- Basement - Center - near the Oversize Collection
- 1st floor Lobby (across from the Reference Desk) - 3 printers: two black & white and one color (which costs 8 E-tokens per page)
- 1-West - Cyber Café (by north windows)
- 2-West - near the elevator (two black & white printers)
- 4-West - in the Digital & Multimedia Center
What if I don't have enough E-tokens to cover my printing?
Check your account before you print and buy more E-tokens if needed. If you start a job with more pages than E-tokens in your account, it will finish, leaving a negative account balance. Before you can print again, you will need to buy enough E-tokens to cover the negative balance AND the entire next print job.
My E-token job isn't printing!
DON'T click "print" again (or you will be charged for additional copies). If you don't hear printing, the printer may be in "energy-saver mode". Walk over and listen for "warming up" sounds. If there are sounds, please be patient. If there is no sound, please report it at the Circulation Desk.
Can I print in color?
There is a color E-token laser printer in the Main Library Lobby, but please note that each page costs 8 E-tokens (40 cents). You must select the Lobby E-token color printer before printing!
There is also an option to print to a color laser printer in the Copy Center. It is 40 cents per page also. Payment accepted in cash, check, or Visa/Mastercard/Discover.
For large color prints there are also Plotters located in the Copy Center. Please check with Copy Center Staff on 2 West before sending a plot. They will give you current tip sheets regarding optimal ways to print posters.
For instructions regarding set up for color printing, from wireless, visit Knowledge base article.
For more information:
- See https://netprint.msu.edu
- Ask staff at the Main Library Circulation Desk.
- Call Computer Lab Consultants at 2-6200 or visit them in 120 Computer Center.