This wikiHow teaches you how to print a document in black and white ink using an Epson printer or printer. You can set black-and-white printing as the primary setting on Windows and Mac computers, or set up black-and-white printing on documents separately. Keep in mind that not all Epson printers support black and white printing.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Main Settings on Windows
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the menu " Start " will be shown.
Step 2. Type in control panel
After that, the computer will search for the Control Panel program.
Step 3. Click Control Panel
It's a blue box at the top of the menu " Start " After that, the Control Panel window will open.
Step 4. Click Devices and Printers
This icon is usually in the far right corner of the Control Panel page.
If the Control Panel window displays information in the "Category" view, click the option “ View devices and printers ” below the "Hardware and Sound" section heading.
Step 5. Locate your printer or printer
Typically, options are marked with the text " Epson " followed by the device model number. Generally, devices are shown at the bottom of the page so you may need to swipe up.
Step 6. Right-click the device name
After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
- If your mouse doesn't have a right-click button, click the right side of the mouse or use two fingers to click the button.
- If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, use two fingers to touch the trackpad or press the lower right side of the device.
Step 7. Click Printing preferences
This option is in the drop-down menu. After that, the “Printing Preferences” window will be opened.
Step 8. Click the Color tab
It's a tab at the top of the window.
Step 9. Mark the option "Black & White" or "Grayscale"
Usually, this box or drop-down menu appears in the middle of the page.
- If you don't find the option on the tab “ Color ", click the tab " Paper/Quality ” and look for the “Black & White” or “Grayscale” option.
- If you don't find a black and white printing option at all, your Epson device probably doesn't support printing with that color setting.
Step 10. Click the Apply button
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the settings will be saved and the “Printing Preferences” window will be closed.
Step 12. Print the document
Open the document or page you want to print and press the Ctrl+P key combination. Select the printer name if it is not already selected, review the print settings if needed, and click the “ Print ”.
You can also find the option “ Print " on the menu " File ” in most programs.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Main Settings on Mac Computer
Step 1. Open Spotlight
Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of your computer screen. After that, a search bar will be displayed.
Step 2. Type in terminal
After that, the computer will search for the Terminal program.
Step 3. Double click
"Terminals".
This option appears in the top row of Spotlight search results. After that, the Terminal program will be opened.
Step 4. Run the printer options command
Type cupsctl WebInterface=yes and press Return, then wait for the command to finish executing.
Step 5. Visit the “Local Host 631” page
Open a web browser, type https://localhost:631/ into the address bar, and press Return.
Step 6. Click Printers
It's in the top-right corner of the page.
Step 7. Select the “Set Default Options” option
Click the drop-down menu at the far right of the page, under the printer name, then click “ Set Default Options ” in the drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click Administration
This tab is at the top of the page.
You may be taken to this tab automatically after selecting “ Set Default Options ”.
Step 9. Scroll to the "Basic" section for the selected printer
This segment is directly below the device name.
Step 10. Change the “Output Color” option
Click the “Output Color”, “Color”, or “Color Mode” drop-down box, then click “ Black ”, “ Black & White ", or " Grayscale ” in the drop-down menu.
- This option has a different label for your printer.
- If you do not find the " Black " or " Black & White " option, your printer does not support black and white printing.
Step 11. Click Set Default Options
It's at the bottom of the "Basic" section. After that, the settings will be saved and applied to the Epson printer.
You may be asked to enter a computer administrator user name and password. Usually, these usernames and passwords are entries that are entered when you start your computer
Step 12. Print the document
Open the document or page you want to print, press the key combination Command+P, select the printer name if it is not already selected, review other printing settings if necessary, and click the “ Print ”.
You can also find the option “ Print " on the menu " File ” in most programs.
Method 3 of 3: Manually Printing Black and White
Step 1. Open the document or page you want to print
You can print from almost any program on Windows and Mac computers.
Step 2. Open the "Print" menu
Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac) to open it.
You can also click on the " File " and choose " Print ” in the menu that appears in most programs.
Step 3. Select the Epson printer
Click the " Printer " drop-down box at the top of the menu, then click the name of the Epson printer in the drop-down menu that appears.
Step 4. Click the Properties option or Preferences.
Usually, this option is at the top of the "Print" menu.
On Mac computers, you usually need to click the " Copies & Pages " drop-down box and select the option “ Paper Type / Quality ” in the displayed drop-down menu. You may need to click “ Show Details ” first to see the menu.
Step 5. Select the "Black & White" or "Grayscale" option
Look for the " Black & White " or " Grayscale " box, then check the box.
On Windows computers, you may need to click the “ Advanced " or " Color " first.
Step 6. Click Print
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the document will be printed using the black and white (or " grayscale ") color option.
Tips
If you want to print a document from a program that is unclear or not well-optimized, you will need to refer to the program's online user manual to find out how to print a document through that program
Warning
- Keep in mind that when printing documents, Epson printers tend to use less ink from all cartridges, including color ink to keep the print head clear, even when you print in black and white. If possible for the printer model you are using, remove the color ink cartridges before printing the document if you want to conserve color ink.
- Not all printers support black and white printing.