Whether it's a project for school, for work or just for personal use, printing via Mac is an indispensable activity for any type of user. If you are using a Mac and need to find out how to print content, continue reading this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Local Printer (USB Connection)
Step 1. Get a USB cable to connect the printer to your computer
You can buy one at any computer store or online. Just make sure it's compatible with your Mac.
Step 2. Connect one end of the USB cable to your computer
Make sure you plug it into one of the free USB ports on your Mac located along the sides of the case for a laptop, or in the back of the case for a desktop.
Step 3. Now connect the other end of the USB cable to the corresponding port on the printer
In this case, the communication port may be located in different positions depending on the make and model of the printer. Typically, it is located on the back of the device. If in doubt, consult the instruction manual.
Step 4. Access the Mac print settings menu
- Click on the Apple logo icon located in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select the "System Preferences" option.
- Select the "Printers and Scanners" icon.
Step 5. Install your printer
A new dialog box will appear listing all available printers: it will include all the printing devices you have used before and all those that have been detected by the nearby Mac.
- Select your printer from the list displayed on the left side of the window.
- After selecting the correct printer, click the "+" button to install the printer on the Mac.
Step 6. Open the file you want to print
At this point, you need to choose the file or document you want to print.
Step 7. Print the document
Regardless of which program you choose to use - Safari, Pages, Word, Powerpoint, Adobe, etc. - the steps to follow are the same:
- Select the "File" menu from the menu bar of the program you are using;
- Click on "Print";
- Select the printer to be used for printing using the appropriate drop-down menu;
- Customize your print settings by choosing the number of copies, paper size, whether to print in color or black and white and so on - these items are all listed in the "Print" dialog;
- Once the configuration is complete, click on the "Print" button to send the file to the printer.
Part 2 of 3: Wireless Printer
Step 1. Connect the printer to the Wi-Fi network
Plug the printer into a power outlet and turn it on. In order to print using a wireless printer, both the Mac and the printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Refer to the device's instruction manual to find out how to connect it to a Wi-Fi network.
You will most likely need to go to the printer menu and select the wireless network connection setup wizard option. Remember that you will need to provide the name of your Wi-Fi network and its login password
Step 2. Open the file you want to print and access the print settings
- Select the "File" menu from the menu bar of the program you are using.
- Click on "Print".
Step 3. Select the printer
Click on the button with two arrows located next to the "Printer" drop-down menu in the "Print" window. A list of all printers available for printing will be displayed. If the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, it should be listed. Select the printer you want to use.
If you're having trouble detecting your printer, it's most likely the network connection. In this case, please refer to the printer manual and the "Support" section of the official Apple website
Step 4. Customize the print settings
Use the "Print" window to choose the number of copies, the page size, whether to print in color or black and white and so on.
Step 5. Once the configuration is complete, click the "Print" button to send the file to the printer
Wait for the print to complete and if you are not satisfied with the result, change the print options and reprint the document.
If you run into any problems, read on to find a solution
Part 3 of 3: Solving Print Problems
Step 1. If you are having trouble connecting your printer to your Mac, start by checking that your computer is compatible with the printer of your choice
In principle, all modern printers are compatible with a Mac, however in the case of an older printer you will need to search the web to make sure it can also be used to print from a Mac. internal search engine, followed by the keywords "Mac compatible". There should be one or more articles in the results list that will answer your questions.
Step 2. Check the remaining ink level of the print cartridges
Go to the printer settings page. Depending on the make and model of your printer, you will need to select the "Maintenance" or "Ink Levels" (or similar) tab. Inside the card indicated, you will see a graph that will represent the estimate of the level of residual ink present in the print cartridges.
If you're having trouble, do a web search. Try using the keywords "check ink levels" followed by the make and model of your printer. At this point, follow the instructions that will be provided to you
Step 3. Make sure the print sheets are inserted correctly into the printer
A major cause of printing problems is paper jams. Open the tray of the printer where you put the paper and check that there are no sheets stuck in the sprocket mechanism of the printer. If necessary, delete any jammed sheets.
During this stage, check that there are enough sheets to complete the print
Step 4. Check that you have installed the correct printer driver
Search using the engine of your choice: type in the make and model of the printer, along with the keyword "driver". In most cases, you will be redirected to the "Support" section of the printer manufacturer's site, where you will find the latest drivers for your device. Use the links provided to download the necessary files to your computer.
Step 5. Check for new Mac updates
Apple constantly releases software updates for the operating system and programs installed on your Mac. In some cases, you may encounter problems printing if all these updates are not installed.
- Click on the "Apple" menu, featuring the Apple logo, located in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select the "App Store" option from the menu that appeared.
- Click on the "Updates" tab of the App Store window.
- Mac software updates are always listed first. Install all available updates.
- The Mac will most likely need to be restarted to complete the update. In this case, make sure it's plugged into a power outlet.
Step 6. If you are using a wireless printer, check the Wi-Fi connection status
The cause of the printing problems you are experiencing could simply be a malfunction of the network router. If so, check the lights on your device and restart it if necessary. If the problem persists, contact your internet connection manager.
Step 7. If you are unable to resolve the problem, refer to the "Support" section of the printer manufacturer's website or the official Apple website, depending on the nature of the problem
There are countless problems that can be encountered during the printing phase, both for the Mac and for the printer. Fortunately, in most cases, the solution will be listed on the online support pages.
