The functionalities on macOS in most cases are always different from that of Windows OS. If you are using a Mac computer for the first time, you may experience difficulties printing documents with it.
But printing on Mac is pretty easy and straightforward. This article will show you how to print on Mac, whether it be docx, PDF, or image.
How to Print on Mac
The first step to printing from Mac is to connect your printer to your Mac using a USB cable or network it to the same Wi-Fi connection as your Mac. Once the printer is connected, you can open the document, photo, or webpage that you want to print.
- Next, click the File menu at the top left of the screen and select Print. This will open a new window with all of your printer’s settings, such as paper size and color mode.
- From here you can choose any special print options that may be available, like double-sided printing or stapling.
- Click on the “Print” button at the bottom of the window to start the printing process.
- Once the document is printed, simply collect it from your printer’s tray.
How to Print Different Paper Sizes on Mac
If you want to print documents on different paper sizes, it’s important to make sure that your printer supports the size of paper you are trying to print on. You can check this by looking at the specifications for your printer.
Once you have identified which paper size is supported by your printer, open up the document or photo that you would like to print.
Click on the File menu > select Print > and then choose Paper Size from the drop-down menu at the top of the window.
- Select your desired paper size
- Click Print.
You can also set a default paper size so you don’t have to go through the process of setting paper size each time you want to print.
To set your default paper size:
- Click the apple icon on the top left corner of your screen
- Go to system preferences
- Click on Printers and Scanners.
- Once you click printers and scanner a small window will open. Click on “default paper size” at the bottom of the window and select your paper size
All your documents will now be printed on the paper size you have chosen.
How to Pause or Cancel Printing on Mac
If you are printing multiple copies of the document at once, spotting a mistake on the document could mean you have to pause or cancel the printing mid-way. The worst thing that could happen is trying to cancel printing on mac but not knowing how to do it. You would have to watch your ink and paper waste on documents you can’t use.
Luckily, you can stop your printing on your mac even when you have already hit “print”.
The first thing you should do before you start printing is to ensure that you can easily access the print window in case you need to pause or cancel printing. By default, the printer icon will appear on the dock once printing starts.
The print window should come up once you click the printer icon on the dock. If you can’t find it, it’s likely that the print job has already finished. However, you can easily access the print window by opening it before you start printing.
To open the print window go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click on Open Print Queue.
To cancel a print job, return to the Print window and click on the ‘X’ in the upper left corner. This will stop any further printing on your Mac.
To pause a Print Job, just click on the pause icon on the print window
Shortcuts to Print on Mac
If you want to save time, there are a few shortcuts you can use for printing.
- Command+P: Press “Command+P” on your keyboard to open the Print window directly from any app.
- Command+S: This shortcut saves the current document.
- Drag and drop: You can also drag and drop documents directly onto the printer icon in the Dock.
- Spotlight search: Use spotlight search to quickly find the document you want to print.
Why Can’t I Print on my Mac? [Quick fix for printing issues on Mac]
If you are having trouble printing on your Mac, there are a couple of troubleshooting steps you can take before seeking a professional solution.
- Check if the printer is plugged in correctly: The first thing to do is check whether the printer is correctly connected and powered on. Make sure that all cables are plugged in properly and that there’s no damage to them.
- Check the ink: Make sure that your printer has enough ink or toner.
- Check the network: If you are using a wireless connection you will need to make sure your Mac and printer are connected to the same network. If the network has multiple printers connected to it, confirm that you selected the accurate one.
- Check USB connection: If you are using a USB connection, check to see that the connection is active.
To check this, press and hold option > select the apple icon at the top left > select system information. If the printer’s name does not appear in the hardware list you may need to check your USB cable.
- Check the printer’s driver: If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall your printer’s driver or update it to the latest version.
To find and download the printer’s driver, simply type the printer’s name and model then add “mac driver” on Google’s search bar. The first result you’ll find should be the printer manufacturer’s website.
Conclusion
Printing on your Mac doesn’t have to be complicated. By being familiar with the printing process and understanding the various options you have, you can print quickly and efficiently without any hassle.
