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.
- Print Production Intro
- Photoshop Essentials
- Print-Ready in Photoshop
- Illustrator Essentials
- Print-Ready in Illustrator
- InDesign Essentials
- Printing Booklet InDesign
- Print-Ready in InDesign
- Combining PDFs in Acrobat
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