GOlab Resources for Students

Downloadable Tools

These tools are great to keep
We try to regularly curate content to help you in your project’s turn out and make sure you get an efficient turnaround from us. Below are a few of them that you can save to your computer or print for your classes.

Lynda Tutorials

VCU gives you Lynda!
Virginia Commonwealth University has given it’s students and faculty access to lynda.com. If you go to your my.vcu.edu homepage, click “Lynda.com” under “Technology Resources” to sign up.

Below we have set up a list of recommended tutorials to help you with print production. These tutorials will not only help you when it comes to printing with the GOlab, but additionally on your own or with a different printer.

Graphic Design

DRoffice
Book your appointment using this calendar!
A documentation and lighting studio available to GDES students, managed by the VCUarts GOlab staff.

Tutorial Videos

Wire-o/Wire Binding
Wire-o binding allows customers to punch holes and add a looped-wire to enclose the pages.

Perfect Binding
Perfect binding allows customers to bind the pages of a book with thermal activated glue.

Vinyl Preparation
In this video, we will cover weeding and taping in two parts by showing you how to weed your vinyl decal and prepare for the manual taping process.

Vinyl Taping on Mounting Press
In this video, we will show you how to apply transfer tape to your vinyl decal using our mounting press.

Vinyl Installation: Dry Application Method
In this video, we will cover basic vinyl installation using the dry application method for drywall and other surfaces.

Vinyl Installation: Wet Application Method
In this video, we will cover basic vinyl installation using the wet application method for windows, glass, and various weather conditions.

Risograph Printing
Falling somewhere between photocopying and screen printing, the process of risograph printing (or riso) is a simple and economical way for artists and designers to self-publish.

Off-Campus Resources

Local Printers

Flatten Image
Run by two professors of VCU and specializing in archival, museum quality prints and scanning

Keith Fabry
Located just south of the James, this printer is capable of printing signage and banners on multiple medias and additionally runs large format and small format printing

Uptown Color
Digital color printer located on Main Street near campus that regularly works with VCU’s students, faculty, and staff to produce quality products

Wythken Printing
Digital full-service printer located right on Grace Street that regularly works directly with VCU’s students, faculty, and staff

Worth Higgins
Specialize in offset printing and large volume runs

Zooom Printing
Local Printing in Richmond Virginia, Zooom Printing specializes in full color digital printing using HP Indigo for short runs of business cards, brochures, booklets, postcards, and offset for medium to large runs.

Image 360
Graphics, signage, and banners

Bizport
Digital and offset printing, signage, mailing, and imaging

Online Printers

Blurb
Ideal for self-publishing graphic and photo books

Moo
Ideal for business paraphernalia such as business cards and flyers (can do gold foil on small runs easily!)

Newspaper Club
Ideal for creating and printing your own newspaper.

Paper Merchants

French Paper Co.
Small, independent paper mill based in Michigan

Lindenmeyr Munroe
Fine paper merchant and distributor with a location in the near west end of Richmond

Paper Source
A chain store for decorative papers and crafting, they have an easy-to-access location in Carytown

Benj Franklin Printing Co.
A full service printer that works with VCU to provide its students quality papers for screen printing, letterpress, and other printing purposes

Photo Merchants and Services

Phototech Labs
Local photographic service provider that has film processing facilities located in downtown Richmond

Richmond Camera
Offers photofinishing and photography retail

Richmond Pro Lab
Offers photographic services and photofinishing

Vinyl Merchants and Services

Grimco, Inc
A supplier and distributor for ORACAL Vinyl with a location in Ashland, VA

Fellers
Another supplier and distributor of ORACAL Vinyl with a location in Mechanicsville, VA