How to Create and Save Your Own Print Presets in macOS

 

You can save your most frequently used print settings such as Black & White, Two-Sided, or specific paper tray selections, as a custom Preset. This lets you select all your preferred options in a single click from the main print screen without navigating through sub-menus every time.

Step 1: Open the Print Dialog

  1. Open any document or file (such as a Word document or PDF).

  2. Press Cmd + P on your keyboard (or go to File > Print).

  3. Ensure your target printer is selected in the Printer drop-down menu.

Step 2: Configure Your Desired Print Options

Before saving a preset, adjust the options to match what you want to save:

  1. Navigate to the option sub-menus (such as Media & Quality, Layout, or Printer Features).

  2. Select your desired settings (e.g., set Color to Black & White / Grayscale and Two-Sided to On).

Step 3: Save Your Settings as a Preset

  1. At the top of the Print window, click the Presets drop-down menu.

  2. Select Save Current Settings as Preset....

  3. In the pop-up window:

    • Preset Name: Enter a clear, descriptive name (e.g., My B&W 2-Sided Default).

    • Preset Available For: Select All Printers (to use this preset on any assigned printer) or Only This Printer.

  4. Click OK to save.

Step 4: Using Your Preset in the Future

  • The next time you print from any application, click the Presets drop-down menu at the top of the print screen and choose your newly saved preset. All your saved options will apply instantly.

Tip: Managing or Deleting Presets

If you ever need to rename or delete a preset you created:

  1. Open the print dialog (Cmd + P).

  2. Click the Presets drop-down menu and select Show Presets....
    Select your preset from the left sidebar to Rename or Delete it.

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