How to Access Advanced Printer Features When Printing Documents
Question details
Users are unable to access advanced printer settings like grayscale or eco-printing from within their application's simplified print interface.
- Product
- Document Editor Applications
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a document and needing advanced hardware settings like grayscale, duplex, or eco-mode.
- Observed behavior
- Advanced printing features are missing from the application's native print interface, though they were functional in previous versions.
Ensure your printer is properly connected and that you have installed the latest official printer drivers from the manufacturer's website, as generic operating system drivers may inherently lack these advanced features.
Use the System Print Dialog
Bypassing the application's simplified print screen allows you to access the full suite of printer options provided by your operating system.
Many modern applications use a simplified printing interface by default to streamline common tasks. However, this interface might hide the specific manufacturer settings of your printer.
Open your document and open the print menu (usually by pressing Ctrl+P on Windows or Cmd+P on Mac).
Look for an option labeled 'Print using system dialog', 'More settings', or 'Properties' near the printer selection dropdown.
Click this option to open the native OS print window, where you can configure advanced settings like grayscale, two-sided printing, and eco-mode directly from the driver.
Export to PDF and Print via a PDF Viewer
If the document application still restricts printer settings, exporting to PDF and using a dedicated PDF tool can restore access to full printer features.
Use WPS Office for Full Printer Control
WPS Office directly integrates with your system's printer drivers, ensuring you can easily access advanced settings like grayscale, duplex, and eco-printing without relying on third-party workarounds.
- 1. Open your Document in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your text document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
- 2. Open the Print Menu: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Print', or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
- 3. Access Printer Properties: Select your physical printer from the dropdown menu and click the 'Properties' button to immediately access all advanced manufacturer settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did advanced print settings disappear after a software update?
Software updates sometimes introduce simplified print dialogs to streamline standard printing tasks. You can usually restore full settings by clicking 'Properties' or 'System Dialog' in the application's print menu.
How do I turn on grayscale printing permanently?
Go to your computer's 'Printers & Scanners' settings, select your printer, click 'Manage', and open 'Printing preferences'. Set the default color mode to grayscale or monochrome.
What is eco-printing and how do I enable it?
Eco-printing is a hardware feature that reduces toner or ink usage and often prints on both sides of the page (duplex) to save resources. You can enable it via the 'Properties' button in the print dialog if your printer supports it.
