Setting your printer to print in black and white can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re trying to save ink or prefer the aesthetic of black and white prints, knowing how to make this adjustment on your Mac is essential. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of setting your printer to black and white on Mac, providing multiple methods to cater to different printer models and preferences.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Set Printer to Black And White on Mac
There are several reasons why you might want to set your printer to black and white on your Mac. Here are a few common scenarios:
1. Save on printing costs: Printing in color can be more expensive, especially if you’re consistently printing large documents or high-resolution images. By setting your printer to black and white, you can significantly reduce the amount of colored ink used, helping you save on printing costs.
2. Enhance readability: Certain documents, such as text-heavy reports or academic articles, are often easier to read in black and white. Colored text can sometimes distract or make the content less legible. By printing in black and white, you can improve the overall readability and clarity of your documents.
3. Emphasize visual elements: In some cases, you may have graphics or images that are intended to stand out in black and white. By printing these elements without color, you can create a more impactful and visually appealing result.
Now that you understand the benefits of setting your printer to black and white, let’s explore different methods to accomplish this on your Mac.
Method 1: How to Set Printer to Black And White via Printer Preferences
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your printer model and the printer software installed on your Mac. However, the general process remains the same. Follow these steps to set your printer to print in black and white via the printer preferences:
1. Open the document you want to print on your Mac.
2. Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Print" or use the shortcut Command + P.
3. In the Print dialog box, locate the "Printer" dropdown menu and select your printer.
4. Next, click on the "Print Settings" or "Properties" button to access the printer settings.
5. Look for an option called "Color" or "Color Mode" and choose "Black and White" or "Grayscale" from the available options.
6. Optionally, you may have additional settings to adjust the print quality, paper type, or other advanced settings. Make any necessary adjustments.
7. Once you’re satisfied with the settings, click "Print" to start printing the document in black and white.
Pros:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and straightforward process to set your printer to black and white. | 1. Some printer models may have different terminology for the color settings, requiring additional research. |
| 2. Allows you to quickly adjust printer settings directly from the print dialog box. | 2. Limited customizability compared to other methods. |
| 3. Changes only affect the current print job, allowing you to switch back to color for future prints. | 3. Printing preferences may vary depending on the printer model and software used. |
Method 2: How to Set Printer to Black And White via System Preferences
If you prefer to set your printer to black and white using system-wide settings rather than adjusting settings on a per-print basis, you can do so through the System Preferences. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
2. In the System Preferences window, click on "Printers & Scanners" or "Printers & Fax."
3. Select your printer from the list on the left-hand side of the window.
4. Click on the "Options & Supplies" or "Options & Supplies…" button.
5. Go to the "Driver" or "Utility" tab, depending on your printer model and software.
6. Look for a "Black & White" or "Grayscale" option and check the box next to it.
7. Save the changes by clicking "OK" or a similar button.
8. From this point forward, all print jobs sent to this printer from your Mac will be in black and white unless you change the settings again.
Pros:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. System-wide setting ensures all print jobs are in black and white by default. | 1. Requires navigating through multiple preferences windows, which may be less intuitive for some users. |
| 2. No need to adjust settings for each individual print job. | 2. Changes apply to all print jobs sent to the selected printer. |
| 3. Allows for customization of printer options beyond color settings. | 3. May not be available for all printer models or software versions. |
Method 3: How to Set Printer to Black And White Using Printing Presets
Some printer software provides the option to create and save printing presets, which allow you to quickly access different sets of printing settings. By creating a black and white printing preset, you can effortlessly switch between color and black and white printing modes. Follow these steps:
1. Open the document you want to print on your Mac.
2. Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Print" or use the shortcut Command + P.
3. In the Print dialog box, locate the "Printer" dropdown menu and select your printer.
4. Click on the "Presets" or "Print Defaults" dropdown menu and select "Edit Presets" or a similar option.
5. In the Presets window, click on the "+" button to create a new preset.
6. Give your preset a descriptive name, such as "Black and White Printing."
7. Adjust the printer settings to your desired black and white settings, including color mode, print quality, and any other relevant options.
8. Click "OK" to save the new preset.
9. Back in the Print dialog box, select the preset you just created from the "Presets" or "Print Settings" dropdown menu.
10. Click "Print" to start printing the document using the black and white preset.
Pros:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to easily switch between different printing presets for various scenarios. | 1. Requires initial setup to create and save the black and white printing preset. |
| 2. Provides greater control and customizability of printer settings beyond color adjustments. | 2. Presets may not be supported by all printer software or models. |
| 3. Changes can be applied to specific printer preferences without affecting the system-wide defaults. | 3. Some printer software may have a less intuitive interface for creating and managing presets. |
Method 4: How to Set Printer to Black And White Using Printer-Specific Software
In addition to the options available through your Mac’s system settings, many printers have their own specific software that provides advanced printing features. This software often includes options for setting your printer to print in black and white. Follow these general steps:
1. Install the printer-specific software provided by the printer manufacturer, if you haven’t done so already. This software is often available on the manufacturer’s website or included with the printer.
2. Open the document you want to print on your Mac.
3. Go to "File" in the menu bar, then select "Print" or use the shortcut Command + P.
4. In the Print dialog box, verify that your printer is selected from the "Printer" dropdown menu.
5. Look for a button or tab related to printer settings or preferences. This may be labeled differently depending on the brand and model of your printer.
6. Within the printer software, locate the color settings or options that allow you to toggle between color and black and white printing.
7. Adjust the settings to set your printer to black and white or grayscale.
8. Save the changes or apply the settings, then click "Print" to start printing the document.
Pros:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides advanced printer-specific options and settings beyond standard Mac preferences. | 1. Requires installation of additional software specific to your printer model. |
| 2. Allows for finer control and customization of print settings according to your printing needs. | 2. Different printer brands and models may have varying software interfaces and settings terminologies. |
| 3. Changes made within the printer-specific software are typically applied directly to subsequent print jobs. | 3. May require additional learning curve to navigate and optimize printer settings. |
What to Do If You Can’t Set Printer to Black And White
In some cases, you may encounter difficulties or limitations when trying to set your printer to black and white using the methods mentioned above. Here are a few possible solutions:
1. Check your printer’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s support website for specific instructions on setting your printer to black and white or grayscale printing.
2. Update your printer driver. Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver software for your printer model. Download and install any available updates.
3. If your printer does not support black and white printing options, consider adjusting the colors in the document itself using editing software. Convert the document to black and white or grayscale before printing.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your black and white printing experience on Mac:
1. Use high-quality black and white paper: For the best results, consider using specialty black and white paper designed for printing monochrome documents. These papers often provide a crisper and more authentic black and white output.
2. Experiment with different print settings: Don’t be afraid to adjust other print settings, such as print quality, paper type, or orientation, to achieve your desired black and white print results. You may find that certain combinations produce superior prints.
3. Preview your print job: Before hitting the print button, always preview the document to ensure it appears as intended. This allows you to spot any potential formatting or color issues that may affect the final result.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I set my printer to black and white for a single page within a document?
A: Yes, most printing dialog boxes offer options to select specific pages or page ranges. You can adjust the color settings for individual pages within a document if needed.
Q2: Why is my printer still printing in color even though I’ve set it to black and white?
A: This could be due to various reasons, such as outdated printer drivers or conflicting settings. Try updating your printer drivers or restarting both your Mac and printer to resolve the issue.
Q3: Will setting my printer to black and white affect color printing for other applications or devices?
A: No, the settings you apply to your printer will only affect printing from your Mac and will not impact color printing for other applications or devices.
Q4: Can I change the printer settings permanently or revert back to color printing easily?
A: Yes, you can either set your printer preferences to black and white permanently or change them back to color whenever needed by following the respective methods mentioned in this blog post.
Q5: Are there any differences in print quality between color and black and white prints?
A: Black and white prints often have a different aesthetic appeal compared to color prints. Each print mode may result in variations in the richness of tones, contrasts, and sharpness based on factors such as the printer model and the paper used.
Final Thoughts
Setting your printer to black and white on your Mac is a simple process that can bring various benefits, from printing cost savings to enhanced document readability. By using the methods outlined in this blog post, you can easily configure your printer to produce black and white prints according to your preferences and needs. Whether it’s adjusting printer settings via preferences, system-wide settings, or printer-specific software, you now have the knowledge and tools to achieve high-quality black and white prints on your Mac.