Georgia Tech Printer Guide 2026: Pharos MobilePrint, CULC Locations, And OIT Troubleshooting

This guide provides comprehensive operating instructions, current rates, and active location maps for the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) campus printing network managed by the Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Navigating campus technology requires quick access to reliable printing services. Whether you are printing a syllabus in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons (CULC), outputting a research poster in the Price Gilbert Library, or sending a quick document from your phone in your residence hall, the centralized OIT Pharos printing system provides seamless access.

The Georgia Tech Pharos Printing Ecosystem

The campus printing infrastructure at Georgia Tech relies on the Pharos Uniprint platform, integrated with campus authentication and BuzzCard billing. This secure-release system ensures that documents do not print until you physically arrive at a station and authenticate. This minimizes paper waste, secures sensitive documents, and prevents unauthorized use of your funds.

[User submits print job via Web, Email, or Local Driver] │ ▼ [Job stored securely in OIT Cloud] │ ▼ [User taps BuzzCard at any campus Pharos Station] │ ▼ [Document is printed]

To use any printer on campus, you must have an active Georgia Tech account, a valid BuzzCard with loaded BuzzFunds, and a connection to the secure campus network.

Detailed Print Rates and Billing Structure for 2026

All printing transactions are processed through your BuzzCard. The Pharos system accesses your BuzzFunds account in real-time. Please note that Dining Points, Meal Plan BuzzCard balances, and academic department fee waivers cannot be used at standard OIT print release stations.

The following table outlines the standardized pricing structure for OIT-managed printers across campus for the 2026 academic year.

Important Billing Rule: Double-sided (duplex) printing does not offer a discount per page side; a double-sided black-and-white page costs exactly $0.08 (two sides at $0.04 each). Always verify your file layout in the print preview window before tapping your BuzzCard to avoid unnecessary charges.

Three Ways to Submit Print Jobs to the OIT Network

Georgia Tech offers three main paths to submit documents to the Pharos queue. All submissions remain active in your personal print queue for exactly 24 hours. If a job is not released within 24 hours, it is automatically purged from the system, and your BuzzCard is not charged.

Method 1: MobilePrint via the Web Portal

This is the most reliable method for standard PDF and office documents without installing local drivers.

1. Connect your laptop or mobile device to the secure GTwifi or eduroam network. If you are off-campus, you must first connect via the Georgia Tech AnyConnect VPN client.
2. Open your web browser and navigate to the official portal at print.gatech.edu.
3. Log in using your Georgia Tech single sign-on (SSO) credentials and authenticate via Duo Security.
4. Click the Upload button and select the documents from your local storage.
5. Once uploaded, use the processing panel on the bottom right to adjust print settings such as color processing, double-sided layout, and the number of copies.

Method 2: Email-to-Print Submission

For quick submissions directly from smart devices, you can send files as attachments from your official Georgia Tech email address.

• For Black and White Prints: Attach your document to an email and send it to print@gatech.edu.
• For Color Prints: Attach your document to an email and send it to printcolor@gatech.edu.

After sending, wait for a confirmation email from Pharos MobilePrint. This email indicates that your document has been successfully processed and is ready to be released at any physical station.

Method 3: Local Printer Drivers (Pharos Package Installation)

For advanced layouts, specific font embedding, or direct printing from applications like Adobe Acrobat or CAD software, install the desktop client.

1. Visit the OIT Software Distribution Portal and download the Pharos Print Client package for your operating system (Windows 11 or macOS Sequoia/macOS 15/16).
2. Run the installer, which automatically adds two print queues to your local system: GT_B&W and GT_Color.
3. Open the document you wish to print within your application, select Print, and choose either the GT_B&W or GT_Color queue.
4. When prompted by the Pharos popup utility on your desktop, enter your Georgia Tech username. Your job will then bypass the web portal and go straight to your secure queue.

Major Printer Locations Across the Atlanta Campus

OIT maintains hundreds of multifunction printers (MFPs) across campus. The high-density locations listed below are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during active semesters, subject to building security access.

Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons (CULC)

• Level 2 (Main Entry): Located in the central computing commons. This area features four high-volume black-and-white printers and two color units.
• Level 3 & Level 4: Located near the central elevators and study alcoves. Ideal for quick prints between classes.

Price Gilbert and Crosland Tower Library

• Crosland Tower (Level 1): Positioned near the main help desk area. Excellent for late-night study sessions.
• Price Gilbert (Level 2): Situated near the collaboration zone.
• Library Infobar & Multimedia Studio: Offers advanced design workstations, 3D printing support, and large-format poster plotters.

Student Center & Campus Commons

• John Lewis Student Center (Level 2): Located near the Information Desk. Features two standard multifunction black-and-white printers.
• Exhibition Hall: Located in the main lobby corridor near the breakroom areas.

Residence Hall Cluster Printers

• West Campus: Common printing hubs are maintained in the lobbies of Fitten Hall, Maulding Hall, and the West Village Commons.
• East Campus: Active stations are located in the lobby of Field Hall and the North Avenue Apartments North Laundry Room.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Fixes for Common Print Errors

Even with robust systems, connection and hardware issues can occur. Use these steps to resolve common technical issues on the Georgia Tech network.

Network Verification Requirement

The Pharos printing system is hosted on an internal campus subnet. Standard public internet connections, cellular data hotspots, and the unencrypted GTguest wireless network cannot route to print.gatech.edu. You must be connected to GTwifi, eduroam, or the GT AnyConnect VPN.

Issue 1: "Hold for Authentication" Error on macOS

This error occurs when macOS attempts to send cached local keychain credentials instead of your active Georgia Tech credentials.

• Solution: Open the macOS Print Queue window by clicking the printer icon in your dock. Click the small refresh icon next to the paused print job. A login prompt will appear. Enter your username without the campus domain extension (e.g., enter gburdell3 instead of gburdell3@gatech.edu) and input your current campus password.

Issue 2: Physical Card Swipe Failure at the Printer

If you swipe your BuzzCard and the reader blinks red or displays an "Unknown Card" message, your card magnetic stripe may be damaged, or your account may be out of funds.

• Solution: Manually log in using the touch screen on the multifunction printer. Tap the screen, select Username/Password login, and type in your campus credentials. If successful, this confirms your card's magnetic stripe is damaged. Visit the BuzzCard Center on the second floor of the Student Center to secure a replacement card.

Issue 3: Print Job Missing from the Release Queue

If you uploaded your document via the web portal or sent it via email, but it does not appear on the physical printer touch screen:

• Solution: Log in to print.gatech.edu on your mobile device. Confirm if the document status displays "Ready for Release." If the status shows "Error" or "Processing," the file type may be unsupported or too large. High-resolution PDF files over 50MB should be optimized or compressed before uploading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add money to my printing account?

To add funds for printing, you must deposit money directly into your BuzzFunds account. Go to the BuzzCard portal online, log in with your credentials, and select "Add Funds" using a credit card or linked bank account. These funds are active instantly and can be used immediately at any OIT printer. Note that Dining Dollars or Meal Plan balances are not accepted for printing.

Can I print directly from my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, you can print from any mobile device. Install the "Pharos Print" application from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once installed, configure the server address to print.gatech.edu and set the port to 443. Log in with your Georgia Tech credentials to manage your queue, upload files, and edit print settings directly from your mobile device.

Where can I print large research posters on campus?

Large-format poster and plotter printing is managed by the Library Multimedia Studio, located on the ground floor of the Price Gilbert Library. You can submit your poster designs as high-resolution PDF files. The staff will review your layout, charge your BuzzCard based on the exact dimensions at a rate of $3.00 per linear foot, and run the print job on their specialized wide-format plotters.

What should I do if a printer runs out of paper or toner?

Do not attempt to open the paper trays or service the internal components of any OIT printer yourself. Every OIT print station has an asset tag displaying a specific printer ID. Note this ID, navigate to the OIT Help Desk portal, and submit a quick service ticket. Alternatively, you can inform the nearest building service coordinator or library desk staff, who can replace the paper or toner.

Is guest printing available for visitors at Georgia Tech?

Visitors who do not have an active Georgia Tech account cannot use the standard Pharos print system or log in to print.gatech.edu. However, guests can utilize printing services at the Price Gilbert Library by visiting the main InfoDesk. The library staff can issue a temporary guest print card, which can be loaded with funds at a BuzzCard Value Transfer Station located within the library lobby.

Support and Technical Assistance

If you run into persistent system errors, billing discrepancies, or hardware failures, contact the primary OIT Support channels:

• In-Person Help: Visit the Clough Commons (CULC) Level 2 Help Desk or the Library Infobar.
• Online Support Desk: Submit a technical service ticket via the official OIT website.
• Phone Support: Call the OIT Help Line at (404) 894-7173 during standard business hours.