Frustrated with Color Ink Waste? Set Black and White Printing as Default on macOS

Are you tired of constantly switching to black and white printing on your Mac, only to find it defaults back to color every time you print a new document? Many macOS users share this frustration, especially when trying to conserve expensive color ink and primarily needing to print in monochrome. You’re not alone in wanting to set your Black And White Printer settings as the default, ensuring every print job starts in grayscale unless you specifically choose color.

This guide will walk you through effective methods to make black and white your go-to print setting on macOS, saving you ink and hassle. We’ll explore different approaches, from simple preset adjustments to more advanced configurations, ensuring you find the perfect solution for your needs.

Understanding the Default Dilemma

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why macOS sometimes stubbornly reverts to color printing. The default print settings are managed at different levels – within applications, the system’s print dialog, and even the printer driver itself. Often, applications or printer drivers are configured to default to color, assuming users might want color printing for various documents. This can override your attempts to set a system-wide black and white default.

Let’s tackle this issue head-on with practical solutions.

Method 1: Leveraging macOS Print Presets

macOS offers a handy feature called “Presets” within the print dialog. This is often the quickest and easiest way to manage your printing preferences, including setting a black and white default.

Here’s how to create and (effectively) use a black and white print preset:

1. Open Print Dialog: In any application, press Cmd + P to open the print dialog.
2. Select Black and White Mode: Look for the color options. This might be under a dropdown menu labeled “Color Options,” “Quality & Media,” or similar, depending on your printer driver. Choose “Black & White,” “Grayscale,” or “Monochrome.”
3. Save as Preset: In the print dialog, find the “Presets” dropdown menu (it usually defaults to “Default Settings”). Click on it and select “Save Current Settings as Preset…”.
4. Name Your Preset: Give your new preset a descriptive name, like “Black and White Default” or “Monochrome Printing.”
5. Crucially, Choose “Set as Default”: This is the step many users miss. After naming your preset, ensure you select the option (usually a checkbox) to “Set as Default Preset.” This tells macOS to use this preset every time you print.

macOS Print Dialog Preset Setting

Important Note: While setting a preset as default should work, some users still experience the system reverting to color. If this happens to you, try actually printing a document using your newly created black and white preset. For some printers and macOS versions, performing a print job with the preset seems to solidify it as the default.

Method 2: Utilizing the Generic PCL Driver (Alternative Approach)

If presets alone aren’t sticking as your default, or if you want a more definitive solution, consider adding your printer again using a Generic PCL driver. PCL (Printer Command Language) drivers are standard printer drivers, and the Generic PCL driver often lacks advanced color options, effectively forcing black and white printing.

Here’s how to set this up:

1. Add Printer (Again): Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Printers & Scanners.
2. Click the “+” button to add a printer.
3. Select Your Printer: Choose your printer from the list of available printers.
4. Use the “Use” Dropdown: Instead of automatically selecting your printer’s specific driver, look for the “Use” dropdown menu.
5. Choose “Generic PCL Printer”: Select “Generic PCL Printer” from the list.
6. Add the Printer: Click “Add.”
7. Set as Default Printer (Optional but Recommended): In Printers & Scanners, choose your newly added Generic PCL printer and set it as the default printer if you want all printing to default to this black and white setup.

Now, when you print using this Generic PCL printer option, you should find that color printing is no longer an option, ensuring all your prints are in black and white.

Method 3: Advanced Configuration via CUPS (For Technical Users)

For users comfortable with a more technical approach, macOS uses CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) as its printing backend. CUPS offers a web interface that allows for deep configuration of printer settings, including default options.

Caution: Modifying CUPS settings requires a bit more technical comfort. Proceed carefully.

1. Enable CUPS Web Interface: Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and type the following command, then press Enter:

   cupsctl WebInterface=yes

2. Access CUPS Web Interface: Open your web browser and go to localhost:631. This will take you to the CUPS administration page.
3. Navigate to Printers: Click on the “Printers” tab.
4. Select Your Printer: Click on the name of your printer queue.
5. Administrator Dropdown: From the “Administrator” dropdown menu, choose “Set Default Options.”
6. Adjust Color Settings: You will now see a detailed page of options for your printer. Look for settings related to “Color Mode,” “Color Options,” or similar. Set this to “Monochrome” or “Black and White.”
7. Set Other Defaults (Optional): While you are in CUPS, you can also adjust other default settings like print quality, media type, etc.
8. Set Default Options: Click the “Set Default Options” button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.

CUPS provides a powerful way to control printer defaults at a system level. However, remember that the available options within CUPS depend on your specific printer driver and its capabilities.

Black and White Printing and Color Ink: Addressing the Concern

Many users are rightly concerned about color ink cartridges being depleted even when printing in black and white. Some color printers, especially inkjet models, might use a small amount of color ink to enhance black tones or for printer maintenance tasks, even when you select black and white printing.

To minimize color ink usage:

• Use “Black Ink Only” or “Grayscale” Mode: Ensure you select the most restrictive black and white mode available in your printer settings. “Black Ink Only” mode, if available, is usually the most effective at preventing color ink usage.
• Draft Quality: As mentioned in the original forum, using “Draft” quality print settings can sometimes reduce color ink usage, as printers may prioritize black ink in draft mode.
• Laser Printers: Laser printers generally handle black and white printing more efficiently and typically only use black toner for monochrome prints. If black and white printing is your primary need, a black and white laser printer might be a more economical long-term solution.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Printing Defaults

Setting black and white as the default print setting on macOS can be achieved through various methods, from simple presets to more advanced driver and CUPS configurations. By implementing these solutions, you can effectively manage your printing preferences, conserve color ink, and ensure your black and white printer setup truly defaults to monochrome. Experiment with these techniques to find the best approach for your printer and workflow, and enjoy consistent, cost-effective black and white printing.