Level 1

31 points

How do I adjust my printer's DEFAULT printer settings?

I'm am stumped and frustrated as to how to change my Mac's default printer settings? The printer defaults to double sided. I want single sided. I've read the articles about Standard and Job presets -- honestly I don't get it. I just want to be able to print and not make any adjustments and choose settings each time. I just want to change the default printer settings. That way when I print, I don't have to change anything. I don't get why this isn't simple. Any advice appreciated.

(Mac OS Sonoma 14.1)

thanks

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Nov 6, 2023 9:54 AM

Top-ranking reply

cwebber1

Level 1

81 points

Posted on Apr 16, 2024 11:42 AM

The simple answer is this...

It all gets down to whether the Presets are "sticky" or "temporary". And we can control this.

(If you don't have a Preset for what to want as the Default, you can create one. I'll explain that in PART 2 below. I think this is the case for 1-Sided option).

PART 1: Make the selected Presets persist, until you change them.

On the Print Dialog page, near the top, there is a Presets menu (your's probably says "Default Settings"). Click on this menu.

Then choose Edit Preset List...

Another dialog will pop-up.
Uncheck the box shown below. Unchecking it means that you will NOT go back to Defaults on subsequent print jobs. This Preset will persist (sticky) until you choose something different.
This behavior applies all Presets (both Standard Presets, as well as Print Job Presets). What is highlighted in the list (e.g.. the 2X) has nothing to do with the check-box at the bottom (just unfortunate confusion).

Finally, you can now select a Presets, ,and keep them active for the next Print Job.
When I choose my "Black and White Preset", it goes back to to it every time.
Even when I click other options for a "one time" color print, it still goes back to my "Black and White Preset".

Note: If you want the old behavior (going back to Defaults on every print job), you can check re-check this box and go back to the original behavior. This may be handy in the case were many people share the same computer.

PART 2: What if the Preset you need does not exist? (optional)

You can create your own presets. There is little or no documentation on this, but I did experiment a bit with it, so take this with a grain of salt.

On the Print Dialog page, choose the settings that you'd like to save in a Preset, but don't click the blue Print button yet.
Now, click on the Presets pull-down Menu, and select "Save Current Settings as Preset"

Type in a name for your new Preset. Note: I prefer the Print Job Presets, over the Custom Presets, but you may want to explore both.

I did play with this, and this is how I was able to make the 1-sided option persist on my printer.

Cheers!

-Craig

View in context

31 replies

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,412 points

May 8, 2024 8:23 AM in response to LindaLeeMee

It sounds like you opened the Printers folder in your user account. That's almost always empty. You need to look in the root /Library/Printers folder. Which is the one alongside Applications, System and Users.

Specifically, this folder:

/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources

May 8, 2024 8:52 AM in response to Kurt Lang

Thanks very much. I try not to tinker too much with settings at this level, although on the occasions over the decades when I've had to, carefully following good advice has always led to good outcomes. So, I found the driver, and here is a setting, but I think this one is really about the long edge binding, DuplexNoTumble etc.:

*OpenGroup: BasicGrp/Basic

*OpenUI *Duplex/Two-Sided: PickOne

*DefaultDuplex: DuplexNoTumble

*Duplex None/Off: "<< >>setpagedevice"

*Duplex DuplexNoTumble/Long-Edge binding: "<< >>setpagedevice"

*Duplex DuplexTumble/Short-Edge binding: "<< >>setpagedevice"

*CloseUI: *Duplex

*OpenUI *CNSelectBy/Select by: PickOne

*DefaultCNSelectBy: PaperSource

*CNSelectBy PaperSource/Paper Source: "<<>>setpagedevice"

*CNSelectBy PaperType/Paper Type: "<<>>setpagedevice"

*CloseUI: *CNSelectBy

Then there is this setting on a stand-alone line, and am wondering if it changes the grayed-out double-sided default button to allow single-side printing, but seems doubtful due to the use of the word duplex instead of the terminology (double-sided) in the printer window. What do you think? Otherwise, the words double, double-sided, single, single-sided don't exist in the driver scripts. I suppose I could change it, test to see what happens and then change it back if it doesn't yield the desired result.

*CNNotChangeDuplex: True

EliCh3

Level 1

12 points

Jul 18, 2024 7:01 AM in response to cwebber1

7/18/24 So I tried the above by Craig cwebber: 1. I went on document under File and selected Print. 2. In Print box I selected Presets then Edit presets. 3. In that box I made sure box at bottom (reset presets menu to default settings after printing) was UNchecked. Then I checked OK. 4. I selected Double sided OFF. 5. I selected presets and Save current settings and then named my custom preset. 6. But when I went out and back into my document and selected Print, the print box was sadly reverted back to doublesided as default again. What is wrong with this picture?

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,412 points

Aug 15, 2024 9:31 AM in response to brice42

Doesn't work. I put in the first command and nothing appeared after that.

I also don't need to use that method. Our Xerox C405 has its own built-in web pages for making such changes. But I just wanted to see if the instructions on your linked page worked.

Edit: Figured out what I did wrong. I can get those pages to work, but still don't need them.

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,412 points

Aug 16, 2024 7:29 AM in response to RockLoi

Did you not see my edit?

Edit: Figured out what I did wrong. I can get those pages to work, but still don't need them.

The key word there is in the first sentence. I. As in me, myself. *I* don't need to use that method. I didn't say they wouldn't help anyone.

But regardless, unless they're a really cheap model, most printers now have their own web pages built in to do these types of changes.

clayhalo

Level 1

29 points

Nov 1, 2024 11:06 AM in response to cwebber1

Is there a way to change the order of the presets? I have a long list:

BW Simplex
BW Duplex
Color Simplex
Color Duplex
Color Matte
Color Matte Photo-High Quality
Color Glossy Photo-High Quality
Mirror image

Unfortunately they are not in the order I've indicated above, and I'd like them to be--with the most used presets at the top, the least-used at the bottom.

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,412 points

Nov 6, 2023 10:31 AM in response to adam0072

That exact make and model printer are you using? Some don't even give you an option to turn duplexing off.

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,030 points

Apr 14, 2024 4:57 AM in response to cwebber1

You can set and forget. Mine stays the way I have it set from the last use. If you make a default to B&W it will stay that way.

cwebber1

Level 1

81 points

Apr 14, 2024 9:12 AM in response to tbirdvet

<This REPLY deleted because it was showing up out of order... weird. (Replied on 4/14/24)

RockLoi

Level 1

8 points

Aug 15, 2024 3:38 PM in response to Kurt Lang

Why are you being dismissive of the only method in this thread that actually answers OP's question?

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,472 points

Aug 15, 2024 3:51 PM in response to adam0072

The UI presented in Printer settings...tends to be a bit limited. You could try going to the printer's web admin page:

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/s/article/ART164474

RockLoi

Level 1

8 points

Aug 16, 2024 7:58 AM in response to Kurt Lang

Yes, saying "that solution doesn't help me" is being dismissive.

Anyway I only posted in this thread because it was above the real solution in search results, but now that's resolved so ttfn.

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,412 points

Aug 16, 2024 8:09 AM in response to RockLoi

Yes, saying "that solution doesn't help me" is being dismissive.

A statement that it didn't help me isn't dismissive. It's simply a fact.

RockLoi

Level 1

8 points

Aug 16, 2024 5:17 PM in response to Kurt Lang

It is when you were not the one seeking support in this thread and instead were attempting to provide it. It's an odd reaction to being corrected.

fbcz-jf

Level 1

12 points

Sep 20, 2024 7:28 AM in response to brice42

this worked for me - thanks a heap!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I adjust my printer's DEFAULT printer settings?