Work with Network Printers - Mac OS X

Tags print mac

These instructions explain how to connect to a printer, set a default printer, and remove printers that are no longer used, on computers running Mac OS X.

To use a networked departmental printer you may need to obtain its exact network print queue name.  Look for a sticker on the printer showing this information or consult the printer list. Co-workers and department coordinators may also be able to provide you with the needed name(s).  Many printers now belong to special print queues (e.g., MiddBW and MiddColor) that provide flexibility in where you choose to release and print your documents.

Once you have obtained the printer queue name(s), simply follow the appropriate steps below to connect to desired printers, then set a default printer that you use most often.

Easily Connect College-Owned Macs to Network Printers using Self Service

Use of the Self Service application is the easiest and recommended way to install printers on College-owned Macs.  

  1. Click the Self Service icon (Middlebury shield) on the Dock to launch the program (or use Go > Applications from the Finder menu to locate then launch it).
  2. Click Printers in the left-hand pane of the Self Service window.
  3. Scroll or use the search field in upper left to locate a desired printer, then click its Install button. 
    • MIDDLEBURY Campus - Choose Printer Queue - MiddBW and Printer Queue - MiddColor to install these flexible print queues.
    • MONTEREY Campus -- Choose Printer Queue - MiddBW - MIIS and Printer Queue - MiddColor - MIIS to install these flexible print queues.
    • If you cannot find the printer you want in Self Service, you will need to follow the instructions below, Connect to Network Printers Manually on a Mac.

Connect To Network Printers Manually on a Mac

In most cases you will not need to use the instructions below for College-owned Macs; you'll use Self Service (described above). 

For personally-owned Macs, Mobility print provides the simplest installation and is generally recommended, though it may not support all functions of the printers.

  1. First, get the make and model of the printer. The printer itself should show the model number in a prominent location. Write this down for later.
  2. Click on the Apple menu icon then choose System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
  3. Under the Hardware section, click the Print & Scan icon: Mac Print and Fax Icon (or Printers & Scanners on macOS Ventura).
  4. Click the plus icon (+) to open the Printer Browser. (On macOS Ventura, click the Add printer,Scanner, or Fax... button.)
  5. In the printer configuration dialog box, enter the following settings:
    • Click on the IP button on the toolbar.
    • In the Address field, type one of the following print servers, as appropriate:
      • Walnut -- Queues for Middlebury campus printers including middcolor & middbw
      • Seaotter -- Queues for MIIS printers
      • Papercut -- Queue for posters

Mac Add Printer dialog

  • In the Protocol drop-down list, choose Line Printer Daemon - LPD.
  • In the Queue field, type the printer's network name (ie, middcolor or P0123).
  • In the Name field, type a name for the printer. (It is strongly suggested to change this from the default, which just lists the server, to the network name.)
  • In the Location field, type the location of the printer. (Optional)
  • In the Use: drop-down list, choose Select Printer Software... Then use the search field to find and select the closest printer model (ie "KONICA MINOLTA C450I PS", a good choice for middcolor/middbw). You can search for "C450" to see similar models in the results list.

    • If you don't see any appropriate drivers listed, check the model again, then download the drivers from the manufacturer's website and start over.
  1. Click Add. Your printer will appear in the Print & Fax dialog box.
  2. For best functionality with middcolor/middbw queues, include the following options:
    1. Paper Source Unit.  PC-216
    2. Finisher.  FS-539
    3. Punch Unit.  PK-524 (2/3-Hole)
  3. To change the default printer, select it in the Default Printer: drop-down list in the Print & Scan dialog box.
  4. Close the Print & Scan dialog box.

Set Your Default Printer

Follow these steps to be sure the printer you use most often is selected as your default printer:

  1. From the Apple menu or your dock, open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
  2. Click Printers & Scanners.
  3. Use the drop-down menu to adjust the Default printer setting as needed. 

Printing Double Sided

You can print double-sided (or duplex) with a given printer, if:

  • The printer supports double-sided printing.
  • This option was enabled when the printer was installed on your computer.

Start out with these steps to check if your printer has been configured to print duplex:

  1. Open the application that you will be using to print (e.g. Microsoft Word).
  2. From the File menu select Print. The Print dialog window appears.
  3. Click on Presets drop-down list. If there is an option titled Double-Sided or Duplex, continue with these steps. Otherwise, skip to the Create a Duplex preset setting instructions below, then come back to these steps once you're done.
  4. Click Print to print the document double-sided.
  5. When you want to print double-sided in the future, select the Double Sided option under the Presets menu. When you want to print single-sided, use the Standard option under the Presets menu. These settings are saved across all applications.

 

Create a Duplex preset setting  (different in Ventura)

Follow these steps after reaching the Print dialog box in any application (see the above steps).

  1. From the Copies and Pages drop-down list, select Layout.
    Note: If you do not see the Copies and Pages option, click on the arrow next to the printer's name. The Copies and Pages option should become visible.
  2. Choose the Long-edge binding option under the Two-Sided heading.
    Note: If the Two-Sided option is grayed out, the printer is not capable of double-sided printing or you need to reinstall the printer using the correct driver (follow the steps at the beginning of this document).
  3. Save the duplex setting:
    • From Presets drop-down list select Save As. The Save Preset dialog box opens.
    • In the Save Preset As field, type Double Sided.
    • Click Add.

Printing in Color on a Mac

See this page: How to Print in Color on a Mac.

Remove a Printer

You can easily remove printers you no longer use.  Here's how:

  1. From the Apple menu or your dock, open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
  2. Click Printers & Scanners.
  3. In the Printers pane, click once on the printer you wish to remove, then click the "minus" sign below (or click the Remove Printer button in macOS Ventura).
  4. Click the Delete Printer button when asked to confirm your choice.

Details

Article ID: 141
Created
Fri 8/20/21 11:28 AM
Modified
Wed 1/17/24 2:17 PM

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