Printing Problems

How to Print a Color Picture in Black and White in Word

Olivia Miller Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to print a document containing color images in grayscale or black and white.

How to Print a Color Picture in Black and White

Product: Word, Printer Driver
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a document with color images without using color ink.
Observed behavior: The goal is to output a color image file as a black-and-white or grayscale hard copy through application or printer settings.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is properly connected and has sufficient black ink or toner before modifying your document's print settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Printer Properties to Grayscale (Recommended)

Adjusting the printer driver settings is the most reliable way to ensure the entire document, including all images, prints in black and white.

This method works across most applications, including Word, Excel, and dedicated image viewers. It communicates directly with your printer to override the document's original colors.

Open Print Dialog

Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard or navigate to File > Print in your application.

Access Printer Properties

Click on the 'Printer Properties' or 'Preferences' link located just below your selected printer's name.

Enable Grayscale Printing

Navigate to the 'Color' or 'Advanced' tab, look for a 'Color/Grayscale' or 'Black and White' option, and select Grayscale.

Print the Document

Click 'OK' to save your printer settings, then click 'Print' to output your document.

Change Printer Properties to Grayscale (Recommended)

Save Ink: Using the printer's grayscale setting forces the machine to prioritize black ink, which is an excellent way to save your expensive color cartridges.

Solution 2

Adjust Picture Saturation Directly in Word

If you only want a specific picture to print in black and white while keeping the rest of the document in color, use Word's picture formatting tools.

Efficient Printing with WPS Office

Print Documents in Black and White Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive interface to format images and manage print settings. You can easily turn color images to grayscale or access system printer properties directly within WPS Writer to save ink.

1. Insert the Image: Open WPS Writer and insert your color picture into the document.
2. Adjust Picture Color: Click the picture, go to the 'Picture Tools' tab, select 'Color', and choose the grayscale or saturation 0% option.
3. Print in Grayscale: Go to Menu > Print, select your printer, click 'Properties' to verify your grayscale settings, and hit Print.

Easily adjust picture color saturation directly within your document.Seamless access to system printer properties for grayscale printing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).Lightweight, fast, and completely free to use for everyday office tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will printing a color picture in grayscale still use color ink?

Depending on your printer model, standard 'Grayscale' might still mix color inks to create a richer, deeper black. To ensure absolutely only black ink is used, look for a 'Black Ink Only' or 'Monochrome' setting in your printer properties.

Why is the 'Black and White' option missing in my printer properties?

This usually happens if you are using generic system printer drivers instead of the manufacturer's specific software. Try downloading and installing the latest specific driver for your exact printer model from the manufacturer's official website.

Can I change an image to black and white before printing on a Mac?

Yes. When you press Command + P to open the print dialog on a Mac, look for a 'Black & White' checkbox. If it's not visible, expand the details and check under the 'Color Matching' or 'Printer Features' menus to select grayscale.

Document & File Issues