How to Change Brother Printer to Black and White: Easy Steps You Need to Know!

Are you tired of your Brother printer wasting ink on colorful documents that you only need in black and white? Whether you’re printing drafts, schoolwork, or just need to save money on ink cartridges, knowing how to change your Brother printer to black and white printing is a valuable skill. This guide will walk you through the process, regardless of your printer model or operating system.

Understanding the Basics: Why Change to Black and White?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why you might want to switch to black and white printing. Here are the key benefits:

• Save Ink: Black ink cartridges typically last longer than color cartridges, and using only black ink can significantly reduce your ink consumption.
• Save Money: By using less ink, you’ll save money on replacement cartridges.
• Reduce Waste: Printing in black and white uses less paper, contributing to a more environmentally friendly approach.
• Improve Clarity: For text-heavy documents, black and white printing often provides better readability.

Method 1: Changing Printer Settings Directly

This method involves adjusting the settings directly on your Brother printer‘s control panel. While the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your model, the general process remains similar.
1. Power On: Make sure your Brother printer is turned on and ready to print.
2. Locate the Menu Button: Find the menu button on your printer’s control panel. It’s usually a button with an icon representing a menu or settings.
3. Navigate to Print Settings: Use the navigation buttons (up, down, left, right) to scroll through the menu until you find the “Print Settings” or “Printing Preferences” option.
4. Select Black and White: Within the print settings, look for an option labeled “Black and White,” “Monochrome,” or “Grayscale.” Select this option.
5. Confirm and Apply: Confirm your selection and exit the menu. Your Brother printer is now set to print in black and white.

Method 2: Adjusting Settings from Your Computer

This method involves making changes to the printer settings through your computer’s operating system. The process will differ slightly depending on whether you’re using Windows or macOS.

Windows

1. Open the “Devices and Printers” Panel: Go to your Windows “Start” menu and search for “Devices and Printers.” Open the “Devices and Printers” control panel.
2. Right-Click on Your Brother Printer: Right-click on the icon representing your Brother printer.
3. Select “Printing Preferences”: From the context menu, choose “Printing Preferences” or “Properties.”
4. Locate the Color Settings: Within the printer settings window, navigate to the “Color” or “Advanced” tab.
5. Select Black and White: Find the option to set the print mode to “Black and White,” “Monochrome,” or “Grayscale.”
6. Apply and Save: Apply your changes and save the settings.

macOS

1. Open System Preferences: Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
2. Choose “Printers & Scanners”: In the System Preferences window, click on “Printers & Scanners.”
3. Select Your Brother Printer: Find your Brother printer in the list of printers.
4. Open “Print Settings”: Click on the “Options & Supplies” button located below the list of printers.
5. Adjust Color Settings: Look for the “Color” or “Advanced” tab within the “Print Settings” window.
6. Set Black and White: Select the “Black and White,” “Monochrome,” or “Grayscale” option.
7. Save Your Changes: Apply your settings and close the window.

Method 3: Using the Printer Driver’s Settings

Some Brother printer models may offer additional options within their printer drivers. This method involves making changes directly within the driver settings.
1. Open the Printer Driver: Go to your computer’s “Control Panel” (Windows) or “System Preferences” (macOS) and locate your Brother printer.
2. Access the Driver Settings: Right-click on the printer icon and select “Printing Preferences” or “Properties.”
3. Find the “Color” or “Advanced” Tab: Navigate to the “Color” or “Advanced” tab within the driver settings window.
4. Select Black and White: Look for an option to set the print mode to “Black and White,” “Monochrome,” or “Grayscale.”
5. Apply and Save: Apply your changes and save the settings.

Method 4: Changing the Print Settings in Your Software

Many software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and web browsers, allow you to adjust print settings before printing. This method is useful for specific documents where you want to override the default printer settings.
1. Open the Print Dialog Box: Within your software, go to the “File” menu and select “Print” or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P).
2. Locate the Color Settings: In the print dialog box, find the “Color” or “Advanced” settings.
3. Select Black and White: Choose the “Black and White,” “Monochrome,” or “Grayscale” option.
4. Confirm and Print: Confirm your selection and print the document.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you’re having trouble changing your Brother printer to black and white, try the following troubleshooting tips:

• Check Ink Levels: Ensure that your black ink cartridge is not empty.
• Restart Your Printer: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve software glitches.
• Update Your Printer Drivers: Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues.
• Consult the Brother Manual: Refer to your printer’s user manual for specific instructions.
• Contact Brother Support: If you’re still experiencing problems, contact Brother support for assistance.

Beyond Black and White: Exploring Other Printing Options

While black and white printing is a great way to save ink and money, your Brother printer offers a variety of other printing options. Here are a few to consider:

• Draft Mode: This mode prints quickly using less ink, but the quality may be lower.
• High Quality: This mode produces the highest quality prints but uses more ink.
• Photo Mode: This mode is specifically designed for printing high-quality photos.
• Duplex Printing: This feature allows you to print on both sides of the paper, saving paper and reducing waste.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Power of Black & White

Changing your Brother printer to black and white printing is a simple yet effective way to save money, reduce ink consumption, and minimize environmental impact. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily switch to black and white printing and enjoy the benefits it offers. Remember to experiment with different printing options to find the best balance between quality, speed, and cost-effectiveness for your printing needs.

Frequently Discussed Topics

Q: Can I change the print settings back to color later?
A: Yes, you can easily switch back to color printing by repeating the steps outlined above but selecting the color option instead of black and white.
Q: Will changing to black and white affect the quality of my text documents?
A: Not necessarily. For text-heavy documents, black and white printing often provides better readability. However, for images or graphics, you may notice a reduction in detail and color accuracy.
Q: Is there a way to set a default print setting for black and white?
A: Yes, most Brother printers allow you to set a default print setting for black and white. This means that your printer will automatically print in black and white unless you specifically choose to print in color. Refer to your printer’s user manual for instructions on how to set a default print setting.
Q: How can I save even more ink when printing in black and white?
A: In addition to using black and white printing, you can also save ink by using draft mode, reducing font sizes, and using a smaller font style. You can also explore using recycled paper, which can further reduce your environmental impact.