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Macintosh OS X

Printing Basics

Most of the time after creating a document or presentation you will need to print it. Depending on the application you are using, there are several ways you can print. For example, in Microsoft PowerPoint you can print out Note Pages, Slides, or Handouts. This document discusses printing in Macintosh OS X.

return to topPreparing the Printer

Following these steps will help prevent printing problems:

  1. Check the label on the computer to verify its printer location

  2. Before you print, check the printer to see if the Ready light is on
    If the Ready light is off, check the printer for paper jams, and check the display on the printer.
    NOTE: The display on the printer should say Ready if the printer is working properly.

  3. Insert approximately 20 sheets of 20 lb bond paper into the paper tray
    NOTE: Paper jams may occur when:

    • only a few sheets of paper are used
    • paper other than 20 lb bond is used
    • the laser paper has already been used
    • the paper is damaged or has curled/bent edges

return to topPrinting

The following are basic instructions for printing within Mac OS X. For more specific instructions, use the Help menu of the program you are trying to print from (if there is one available).

Before you print, always prepare the printer.

  1. Within the application you are using, from the File menu, select Print...
    The Print dialog box appears.
    Printer Dialog Box

  2. Make any necessary adjustments to the Print dialog box
    NOTE: Make sure that the printer you want to print to is selected in the Printer pull-down list.

  3. Click PRINT or OK

return to topChanging or Adding a Printer

When you select the Print option from an application such as Microsoft Word, the Print dialog box will display the default printer. These instructions will guide you through changing the printer or adding a new printer within the Print dialog box. You can also edit the printer list at any other time by using Print Center.

Changing the Printer before Printing

Use this option if the Print dialog box is already open, and you need to print to a different printer.

  1. From the Printer pull-down list, select a different printer
    NOTE: If the desired printer is not listed, follow the instructions for adding a new printer.

  2. Click PRINT
    Your document will now print to your selected printer.

Adding a New Printer before Printing

Use this option if the Print dialog box is already open, and you need to add a new printer to the list.

  1. From the Printer pull-down list, select Edit Printer List...
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. On the toolbar, click ADD
    OR
    From the Printers menu, select Add Printer...

  3. Using the pull-down lists, select the new printer you want to use

  4. Click ADD
    The Printer List dialog box shows the new printer.

  5. OPTIONAL: To make this new printer your default printer, on the toolbar, click MAKE DEFAULT
    The default printer is shown in bold print.

  6. From the Print Center menu, select Quit Print Center
    The Print dialog box should now have your new printer selected.

  7. Click PRINT
    Your document will now print to your selected printer.

Editing the Printer List at Another Time

Use this option to add a printer, to delete a printer, or to change the default printer at a time when you are not actually printing (and thus, the Print dialog box is not currently open).

To add a printer:

  1. From the hard drive window, double click APPLICATIONS » UTILITIES » PRINT CENTER
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. On the toolbar, click ADD
    OR
    From the Printers menu, select Add Printer...

  3. Using the pull-down lists, select the new printer you want to use

  4. Click ADD
    The new printer is now added to the printer list.

  5. OPTIONAL: To make this new printer your default printer, on the toolbar, click MAKE DEFAULT
    In the printer list, the default printer is shown in bold print.

  6. From the Print Center menu, select Quit Print Center

To delete a printer:

  1. From the hard drive window, double click APPLICATIONS » UTILITIES » PRINT CENTER
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. From the printer list, select the printer you want to delete

  3. On the toolbar, click DELETE
    OR
    From the Printers menu, select Delete Printer
    The printer is now removed from the printer list.

  4. From the Print Center menu, select Quit Print Center

To change the default printer:

  1. From the hard drive window, double click APPLICATIONS » UTILITIES » PRINT CENTER
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. From the printer list, select the printer you want to be the default

  3. On the toolbar, click MAKE DEFAULT
    OR
    From the Printers menu, select Make Default
    In the printer list, the new default printer is shown in bold print.

  4. From the Print Center menu, select Quit Print Center

return to topSolving Printing Problems

There are several problems that may arise when you try to print. The following topics address what to do if nothing happens when you send a document to the printer, if you sent too many copies of a document to the printer, and if someone else's document printed on your paper.

Nothing Happened

If your document does not seem to be printing, check to see that the Ready light is on, and that you are sending to the correct printer. If there is still a problem, check the Print Center on the Dock.

NOTE: If Print Center is not on the Dock, try to print your document again. Make sure to verify the target printer listed at the top of the Print dialog box.

  1. On the Dock, click PRINT CENTER Print Center
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. Double click the name of the printer you are using
    A new dialog box appears with the printer information.

  3. Look for error messages and/or other print jobs

You Sent Too Many Copies

To delete a print job you have sent:

  1. On the Dock, click PRINT CENTER Print Center
    The Printer List dialog box appears.
    Printer List dialog box

  2. Double click the name of the printer you are using
    NOTES:
    The filename of the document that is currently being printed is listed under Printing.
    The filenames of documents that have yet to be printed are listed under Waiting.
    The order in which they are listed represents the order in which they will be printed.

  3. To delete the current print job, click CANCEL PRINTING

  4. To delete a print job on the Waiting list:
    1. Select the print job to be deleted

    2. Click DELETE
      The print job is deleted.

  5. Close the Printer List dialog box

  6. To continue working, click on your document

Someone Else’s Document Printed on Your Paper

This is an unfortunate occurrence that sometimes happens with shared resources. Remember to check the Ready light on the printer before you print to avoid this problem and always carry extra paper with you.

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