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Print Presets

If you have a combination of settings that you frequently use when printing a document, you can save it as a "preset." For example, sometimes you print a letter on plain paper and other times you print a photo on glossy photo paper. Usually, you have to select several print settings: paper type, color or B&W, things like that.

You can save the print settings for each type of job as a preset, then quickly apply them without having to select each print setting individually.

Creating a Print Preset

1. When you're ready to print, choose File > Print. This brings up the Print dialog. Don't click the Print button yet; that would begin printing immediately.
2. Select the various printing settings you want to use. For each "panel" of settings, click on the Copies and Pages popup.
3. Choose Save As from the Presets pop-up menu and type a name for the preset. The settings you've selected are now saved as a preset.
4. Now either click the Print or Cancel button.

Note: Some settings cannot be saved in a preset. After you create a preset, print a test document using that preset to be sure if it prints the way you want.

Using A Preset

To use a print preset when you print a document, choose its name from the Presets pop-up menu.

Changing A Preset's Settings

Choose its name from the Presets pop-up menu, make changes to the settings, then choose Save from the Presets pop-up menu.

Renaming A Preset

Choose the preset's name from the Presets pop-up menu, then choose Rename to change its name.

Deleting A Preset

Choose the preset's name from the Presets pop-up menu, then choose Delete to remove it.

Examining A Preset

To see a list of all the settings included in a specific preset, choose its name from the Presets pop-up menu, and then choose Summary from the Copies & Pages pop-up menu.

One Final Note: As of 10.4 Tiger, the system doesn't link a preset to a particular printer. You wouldn't want a preset for, your color inkjet printer to be used with a B&W laser.

So, if you have more than one printer, it's best to choose preset names so you know what printer they're for.