Simple Ways to Print in Black and White Only on Epson Printers

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An easy-to-follow guide to print without colored ink

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: July 24, 2023 Fact Checked

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Do you want to print that document or photo in black and white so you don't use your other inks? Fortunately, it's easy to print black and white or grayscale on most Epson printers to preserve your color ink. Keep in mind that not all Epson printers support black-and-white printing. This wikiHow teaches you how to print documents using black-and-white ink on an Epson printer.

Things You Should Know

Open the Print menu, then select "Printer Properties" or "Printer Settings."
Click the button next to "Black/Greyscale" and select "OK."
To change this to the default setting, open Control Panel and find your printer/printer preferences.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

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1
Open the Print Menu. This is the window that pops up when you press Ctrl + P or when you start printing something.
- If the Epson printer isn't selected, select it now.
- If your Epson printer isn't an option, make sure you have added it correctly.
2
Click Printer Properties (or similar). The option will be different depending on the app you're using to print. Some other options you may find are Printer Preferences or Properties'.
- If none of these options appear, look for Setup, Printer, or Options. You should then find a Printer Properties, Properties, or Preferences here.
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It should open by default, but if it doesn't, click it now.
4
Click to fill the circle next to "Black/Greyscale" for the Color setting. This will ensure that your Epson printer prints that document in greyscale.
- If you don't see this option, your Epson printer does not support black-and-white printing.
Only the next printing job will be in black and white, so if you want to apply this change to the default, go to your Printer Preferences in Control Panel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Mac

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1
Open the Print Menu. This is the window that pops up when you press Cmd + P or when you start printing something.
- If needed, click the arrow next to the printer and "See Details" to expand the menu.
This should be in the section that expands from the arrow next to your printer's name.
3
Click to fill the circle next to "Black/Greyscale" for the Color setting. This will ensure that your Epson printer prints that document in greyscale.
- If you don't see this option, your Epson printer does not support black-and-white printing.
Only the next printing job will be in black and white, so if you want to apply this change to the default, go to your Printer Preferences in Settings.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

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Question

If cyan needs to be replaced, can I still print in black and white?

Community Answer

It depends on the printer. Some printers have separate options for color and black ink. If your printer has defaulted to color, even for black and white prints, you may be able to switch to the black ink and continue to use the printer.

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Tips

If you're attempting to print from within an obscure or poorly optimized program, you may have to consult the program's documentation online for help figuring out how to print.

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Printing in greyscale is not recommended for printing black and white pictures.

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Warnings

Not all printers support black-and-white printing.

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Remember to refill the ink if you get a low-ink warning. Continuing to print without refilling the ink may cause further damage.

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Remember that when printing documents, Epson printers tend to use a small amount of ink from all cartridges—including colored ink—to keep the print head clear, even when printing in black and white.

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