How to Print in Color: A Simple Guide

Are you trying to print documents in color but finding everything comes out in black and white? Many default printer settings, especially in shared environments like universities or offices, are set to grayscale to conserve color ink and reduce printing costs. However, printing in color is usually just a few setting adjustments away. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your documents print in vibrant color when you need them to.

Printing in Color from Microsoft Office Applications

Whether you’re using Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, the process to enable color printing is consistent across all Microsoft Office applications. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the Print Menu: Begin by clicking on ‘File’ located in the top toolbar of your Microsoft Office application. From the dropdown menu, select ‘Print’.

2. Open Printer Properties: In the Print interface, you’ll see your selected printer name. Directly underneath this name, you should find a hyperlink or button labeled ‘Printer Properties’. Click on this to open a new window with printer settings.

3. Navigate to the Color Settings: Within the Printer Properties window, look for tabs at the top. Click on the tab that is labeled ‘Color’ or ‘Colour’.

4. Disable Grayscale Printing: In the ‘Color’ tab, you will likely see an option that says ‘Print in Grayscale’ or a similar phrase. This box will probably be checked. Untick or uncheck this box to disable grayscale printing.

5. Confirm Color Settings: After unticking ‘Print in Grayscale’, click ‘OK’ to save the changes in the Printer Properties window.

6. Finalize and Print: You are now back in the main Print interface. Click the ‘Print’ button to send your document to the printer.

   • Important Reminder: Ensure you are using a printer that is capable of color printing. Even after changing these settings, a black and white only printer will not produce color prints.

Printing Color PDFs from Different Platforms

PDFs are widely used, and how you print them in color can vary slightly depending on the PDF viewer you are using. Here are instructions for common PDF viewers:

Printing Color PDFs in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is often the default PDF viewer on many systems. Here’s How To Print In Color:

1. Open the Print Dialogue: When viewing your PDF in Edge, locate the ‘Print’ icon, which looks like a printer symbol, on the toolbar. Click this icon to open the print dialogue box. If you don’t see the toolbar, right-click anywhere within the PDF document and select ‘Show toolbar’.

2. Verify Printer Selection: Ensure that the selected printer is ‘SafecomPullPrinter’. This is a common printer system in universities and public spaces. You can check and change the printer by clicking on the dropdown menu next to the printer name. If ‘SafecomPullPrinter’ is not listed, consult your local IT support or library staff.

3. Set Color Mode to Color: Look for a ‘Color mode’ dropdown menu within the print settings. Change this dropdown selection from ‘Black and white’ or ‘Monochrome’ to ‘Color’.

4. Print Your PDF: Once the color mode is set to ‘Color’, click the ‘Print’ button. Your color document will be ready for release at any compatible university printer.

   Alt Text: The print icon, represented by a printer symbol, is highlighted in the toolbar of Microsoft Edge, indicating where to click to initiate the printing process.

Printing Color PDFs in Google Chrome

If you prefer using Google Chrome to view PDFs, follow these steps to print in color:

1. Access the Print Menu: Hover your mouse near the top of the PDF page in Chrome to make the toolbar appear. Click on the ‘Print’ icon (printer symbol) from this toolbar.

2. Confirm Destination Printer: In the print dialogue, check that the ‘Destination’ printer is set to ‘SafecomPullPrinter’. Change it if necessary by clicking on the dropdown menu. Again, if ‘SafecomPullPrinter’ is unavailable, seek assistance from your support team.

3. Select the Color Option: Chrome’s print settings usually default to black and white. Find the ‘Color’ option, often in a dropdown menu, and explicitly select ‘Color’ to switch from the default black and white.

4. Send to Printer: Click the ‘Print’ button. Your document will now print in color from a suitable printer.

   Alt Text: In Google Chrome, the print icon, depicted as a printer symbol, is displayed in the PDF toolbar, indicating the button to press for printing options.

Printing Color PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a more feature-rich PDF software, and here’s how to print in color using it:

1. Open the Print Dialogue: In Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the ‘Print File’ icon in the toolbar. This icon is also represented by a printer symbol.

2. Choose the Correct Printer: Ensure ‘SafecomPullPrinter’ is selected as your printer. If not, use the dropdown menu to choose it. If it’s not in the list, contact your Library Advice Team or IT support.

3. Access Printer Properties: Next to the printer name in the Print dialogue, you will see a ‘Properties’ button. Click this button to open the printer properties window.

4. Go to Color Settings: In the Printer Properties window, navigate to the ‘Color’ or ‘Colour’ tab.

5. Disable Grayscale: Look for and untick the ‘Print in Grayscale’ option within the Color tab.

6. Apply and Print: Click ‘OK’ in the Printer Properties window to confirm your color settings. Then, click ‘Print’ in the main Print dialogue to print your document in color.

   Alt Text: The ‘Print File’ icon, symbolized by a printer, is shown in the toolbar of Adobe Acrobat Reader, marking the entry point for accessing print settings and initiating printing.

General Guidance for Other Applications

While this guide covers common applications, the general principle for printing in color in other software remains similar to Microsoft Office. Look for ‘Print’ options within the ‘File’ menu or via a printer icon, then find ‘Printer Properties’ or ‘Settings’ to adjust color options, usually by disabling a ‘Grayscale’ or ‘Black and White’ mode.

If you encounter difficulties printing in color from a specific application, remember that your university or institution’s IT or library support teams are valuable resources. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Library Advice team or your equivalent support service for further assistance. They can provide tailored help and ensure you can print your documents exactly as needed, in full color.