PRINTING AND BINDING FROM YOUR PDF FILE

Printing and Binding Process: During the thesis registration process, you will be required to submit a PDF file of your thesis electronically and indicate the number of copies that you would like printed and bound (this includes copies required by Olin and your department as well as personal copies for yourself.  You will then print out a letter confirming that you have completed this step and bring it with you to the Registrar's Office at the same time that you submit your reader copies. Please note that reader copies will not be sent to the book bindery for binding.  These copies will be returned to you by your department/program.  Any required copies of your thesis, as well as additional copies for your own use, will be printed and bound at the book bindery from your PDF file.

When do I get my thesis printed and bound? Your PDF file will be sent to the bindery for printing and binding after you have submitted it.  Personal copies will be available for pickup on the Saturday of Commencement weekend (you will be notified via email when these are available).  At the time that you electronically register your thesis you will be asked to indicate the total number of copies you would like to have printed and bound (this includes the minimum number you are required to print and bind as well as your personal copies).

Thesis Printing and Binding Fees:

Standard black print on archival quality

            (alkaline, acid-free 20 lb.) paper, printed single-sided: 20 cents per page

Binding Fee, per copy: $17

Color or grayscale: 75 cents per page

Foldout pages, black 11"x17": 40 cents per page

Foldout pages, color 11"x17": 2 dollars per page

Small Diskette Pocket, per copy: $10

Large CD Pocket, per copy: $12

Map Pocket, per copy: $14

These fees will be charged to your student account at the time that you electronically register your thesis.  Funds to help offset the costs of printing and binding your thesis are available from the Thorndike Fund. You are encouraged to apply to this fund for partial reimbursement.

Honors recipients must bind a minimum number of copies: One bound copy is for Olin Library, one is for your department (except CHEM, ENGL, GOVT and MUSC). The Registrar's Office will deliver these copies to Olin and your department.  Olin Library will also store a copy of your PDF file for archival purposes.  Keep in mind that most tutors hope to receive a copy for their professional use. You are responsible for picking up your own personal copies and if you choose to, delivering one to your tutor.

Copies for Olin are stored in the Special Collections area. Departments vary in the manner in which they store theses and make them available to students, check with the administrative assistant regarding your department's policy.

Theses that do not receive Honors: Even if you do not receive Honors, your thesis will be printed and bound.  All bound copies, including any copies originally designated for your department/program, will become the property of the writer and will be returned to you.  We encourage everyone to apply for the Thorndike fund to offset the cost of printing and binding your thesis, in the event that you do not receive honors.

My thesis or project is not a written work. What do I do?: Oversize theses (music scores for example) are usually not bound but are presented to the departments and to the library in exactly the same form in which they were evaluated. These should be accompanied by a title page and be legibly labeled in individual envelopes. Because your work will become the department/archival copy, your readers/evaluators will be asked to return one of the pieces to the Registrar's Office for submission to the library.  The other piece will be kept by the department as their copy and the third copy, if applicable, will be returned directly to you.  You will not be required to submit a PDF version of your work for binding.

Films are kept in special archival conditions by the Film Studies Program.

Maps, photographs and illustrations may require special treatment at the bindery. Check with Beth Labriola.

Video, CD, DVD and audio cassettes can be bound in pockets along with the written commentary and bound just as you would a manuscript. Please refer to the thesis printing and binding fees for these prices. It is a good idea to look at some theses which have been bound with special instructions to see what your work will look like before you decide how many to bind. If you submitted a video, CD, DVD, or audiocassette along with your reader copy, your reader will be asked to return this material to the Registrar's Office.  The Registrar's Office will keep this material until the bound copies of your thesis are returned from the bindery, at which time this material will be inserted into the designated pocket in the thesis.

I cannot afford to print and bind more than the minimum: Yes, you can! The Thorndike Fund is available for assistance with the cost of producing and binding your thesis. Don't deny someone who deserves a copy the honor of receiving one simply because this expense seems too much to bear.

Pick up your bound copies before you leave campus: Honors recipients will be notified when their bound theses are ready for pick up (dates to be announced).  The final date for pick up of bound theses will be held in conjunction with diploma pickup in the Registrar's Conference Room on Saturday, May 24, 2008 between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm.  Unclaimed theses will be kept one year only.

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