Printing Problems

Fix Canon Printer Printing Word Envelopes in Black and White

Bushra Parveen Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to print colored text on envelopes using a Canon printer, but Microsoft Word is only outputting the envelopes in black and white.

How to Fix Canon Printer Printing Word Envelopes Only in Black and White

Product: Microsoft Word, Canon Printer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to print custom-colored addresses on envelopes from Microsoft Word using a Canon printer.
Observed behavior: The envelope text prints exclusively in black and white, disregarding the intended color settings. This makes dark-colored envelopes particularly difficult to read.

Before you start

Before changing software settings, verify that your Canon printer has sufficient color ink and try printing a standard color test page to confirm the hardware is functioning correctly.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Adjust Font Color in Word Envelope Options

Ensure that the font color for the delivery and return addresses is explicitly set to a specific color rather than 'Automatic' in the Word Mailings menu.

Microsoft Word often defaults the envelope address text to 'Automatic', which generally prints as black. If you are using dark envelopes and need a lighter or specific color, you must manually override this font setting within the Envelope Options dialog.

Access the Envelopes menu

Open your document in Microsoft Word and navigate to the 'Mailings' tab on the top ribbon. Click on 'Envelopes' located in the Create group.

Open Envelope Options

In the Envelopes and Labels dialog box, click on the 'Options' button.

Modify the Font settings

Go to the 'Envelope Options' tab. You will see sections for Delivery address and Return address. Click the 'Font' button under the address you wish to modify.

Select a specific color

Under the Font tab, locate the 'Font color' drop-down menu. Change it from 'Automatic' to your desired color. Click 'OK' to apply the changes.

Print the envelope

Load the envelope into your Canon printer and click 'Print' from the Envelopes dialog to test the output.

Check and Adjust Font Color in Word Envelope Options

Font Color Priority: Setting a specific font color in this menu overrides default document themes and ensures Word sends the correct color data to the printer spooler.

Solution 2

Disable Grayscale Printing in Canon Printer Preferences

Check the system print dialog to verify that the Canon printer driver is not forcing a grayscale or black-and-white output.

Solution 3

Update or Reinstall the Canon Printer Driver

A corrupted or outdated printer driver might cause color formatting to be lost during the communication between Word and the printer hardware.

Efficient Document Printing

Print Colored Envelopes Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive Mailings interface that makes setting up and printing custom-colored envelopes straightforward. It is highly compatible with all major printer brands, including Canon, ensuring your colors print exactly as they appear on screen.

1. Open WPS Writer Mailings: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to the 'References' or 'Mailings' tab on the top ribbon.
2. Access Envelopes Tool: Click on the 'Envelopes' icon to open the setup dialog box.
3. Input Addresses: Type in your Delivery and Return addresses in the designated text fields.
4. Customize Font Color: Click the 'Options' button, go to the 'Font' settings for the delivery address, and choose your desired color.
5. Print Directly: Insert your envelope into the Canon printer and click 'Print' to get perfect color output.

Free, lightweight, and fast word processorFully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Intuitive Envelopes interface for easy address and font color customizationAccurate color output mapping for Canon and other standard printers

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Canon printer only print in black and white when color is selected?

This usually happens if the printer's global settings have 'Grayscale Printing' enabled in the printer preferences. It can also occur if the color ink cartridges are depleted or if the color print head is clogged, preventing color ink from reaching the page even when the software requests it.

How do I stop Microsoft Word from overriding my printer color settings?

Word generally passes color data directly to the printer driver. If it appears to be overriding color settings, check if the document is in draft mode. Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the 'Print' section, and ensure that 'Use draft quality' is unchecked.

Does the type or color of the envelope affect printing quality?

Yes, dark-colored or heavily textured envelopes can absorb ink differently, making colors appear faint, muddy, or almost black. Ensure you are using inkjet-compatible media and consider choosing a bright, contrasting font color (like yellow or white, if your printer supports white ink) for dark envelopes.

Document & File Issues