Unlock the Secret: How to Make Brother Printer Print Black and White Only

Are you tired of your Brother printer wasting ink on unnecessary color prints? Do you find yourself constantly running out of color cartridges while your black ink sits untouched? If so, you’re not alone. Many people want to print in black and white to save money and reduce ink consumption. This guide will walk you through the simple steps on how to make your Brother printer print black and white only, regardless of your document or image.

Understanding the Basics: Why and How

Before diving into the specific methods, let’s understand the core principles behind printing in black and white:

• Ink Savings: Printing in black and white significantly reduces ink consumption, as you’ll only be using your black ink cartridge. This translates to fewer replacements and lower printing costs.
• Document Clarity: For documents like reports, papers, and invoices, black and white printing often provides better clarity and readability than color prints.
• Environmental Impact: By reducing ink usage, you’re also minimizing your environmental footprint.

Method 1: The Quick and Easy Way – Directly From Your Document

This method is the most straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated settings.
1. Open Your Document: Open the document you want to print, whether it’s a Word document, a PDF, or an image file.
2. Print Settings: Click on the “Print” option from your file menu. Look for the “Print” or “Properties” button in the print dialogue box.
3. Black and White Option: Locate the “Color” or “Print Mode” setting within the print dialogue box. You’ll typically find a drop-down menu with options like “Color,” “Grayscale,” or “Black & White.” Select “Grayscale” or “Black & White”.
4. Confirm and Print: Confirm your selection and click “Print.” Your document will print in black and white.

Method 2: Setting Your Brother Printer to Default Black and White

This method ensures that all future prints, unless explicitly changed, will be in black and white.
1. Access Your Brother Printer’s Control Panel: On your Brother printer, locate the control panel with buttons and a display screen.
2. Navigate to Settings: Use the navigation buttons on your printer’s control panel to access the settings menu.
3. Locate Print Quality or Color Settings: Look for options related to “Print Quality,” “Color Mode,” or “Print Settings.” The exact wording may differ slightly depending on your printer model.
4. Select Black and White: Choose the option for “Black & White,” “Grayscale,” or “Monochrome” printing.
5. Save the Changes: Confirm your selection and save the changes. This will set your Brother printer to default black and white printing.

Method 3: Using Brother’s iPrint&Scan Software

If you’re using a Brother printer with iPrint&Scan software installed on your computer, you can easily set black and white printing through the software’s interface.
1. Open iPrint&Scan: Launch the iPrint&Scan application on your computer.
2. Select Print Settings: Choose the “Print” option from the software’s menu or toolbar.
3. Configure Color Settings: Select the “Color” or “Print Mode” setting. Similar to Method 1, choose “Grayscale” or “Black & White.”
4. Confirm and Print: Confirm your selection and print your document.

Method 4: Adjusting Your Printer Driver Settings

This method provides a more in-depth way to control your printing settings directly from your computer’s operating system.
1. Open Printer Properties: Go to your computer’s “Settings” or “Control Panel.” Locate the “Devices” or “Printers” section. Right-click on your Brother printer icon and select “Properties” or “Printing Preferences.”
2. Navigate to Advanced Settings: In the printer properties window, look for “Advanced” or “Printing Preferences” tabs.
3. Find Color Settings: Within the advanced settings, locate the “Color” or “Print Mode” option.
4. Select Black and White: Choose the “Grayscale” or “Black & White” option.
5. Apply Changes: Apply the changes and close the printer properties window.

Method 5: Black and White Printing for Specific Documents

If you only want to print a single document in black and white, you can use the “Print Preview” feature in your document software.
1. Open Your Document: Open the document you want to print.
2. Print Preview: Before printing, click on the “Print Preview” option. This will show you how the document will look when printed.
3. Adjust Print Settings: Look for the “Print” or “Properties” button within the print preview window.
4. Select Black and White: Locate the “Color” or “Print Mode” setting and choose “Grayscale” or “Black & White.”
5. Print: Confirm your selection and print the document.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While these methods are generally straightforward, you may encounter some minor issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check Your Ink Cartridges: Ensure that your black ink cartridge is properly installed and has sufficient ink.
• Verify Driver Updates: Make sure your printer driver is up-to-date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause printing issues.
• Restart Your Printer: Sometimes, restarting your printer can resolve minor glitches.
• Consult Your User Manual: Refer to your Brother printer’s user manual for specific instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Printing in Black and White: A More Sustainable Choice

By switching to black and white printing, you can save money, reduce your environmental impact, and still get clear, professional-looking documents. With these methods, you can easily control your Brother printer‘s color settings and print in black and white whenever you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will printing in black and white affect the quality of my photos?
A: Yes, printing photos in black and white will remove the color information, resulting in a monochrome image. If you want to print photos in their original color, you’ll need to select the “Color” option in your print settings.
Q: Can I print in black and white even if my printer only has a color cartridge?
A: Most Brother printers use a single cartridge that contains both black and color inks. In this case, you can still print in black and white; however, the printer will use a combination of black and color inks to achieve a grayscale effect.
Q: What if I want to print a document in color but only a specific part in black and white?
A: Unfortunately, there’s no direct way to print only a portion of a document in black and white while the rest remains in color. You’ll need to use a separate document for the black and white sections or adjust the color settings within your document software.
Q: Can I undo the default black and white setting on my Brother printer?
A: Yes, you can easily revert to color printing by following the same steps you used to set the black and white default. Simply navigate to the settings menu on your printer or in your printer driver and select the “Color” or “Full Color” option.