How To Print In Color On Mac: Quick Tips

If you encounter issues with printing colors in your Mac, you came to the right place. Updated software may be the cause of your printing problems. In this article, we will check several steps to isolate the challenge to find out how to print in color on Mac.

Check on Print Quality and Color Management in OSX

Before we jump to conclusions, let's find out how to print in color on Mac through photoshop applications.

• Step 1 - Open a file previously printed with poor color quality.

Note: Use the same paper for printing so you can identify the problems.

• Step 2 - Open the application where you want to print the file. It could be Lightroom or Photoshop. (In this example, we will use Photoshop.)
  
  
• Step 3 - Click on 'File'
  
  
• Step 4 - Scroll down to the 'Print' option.
  
  
• Step 5 - A new window will open, allowing you to make changes.
  
  
• Step 6 - In the 'Color Management' section, ensure the 'Color Handling' is set to 'Printer Manages Color'
  
  
• Step 7 - In the 'Printer Setup' section, go to 'Printer Settings'
  
  
• Step 8 - It will open a new dialog box with more settings, click the drop-down menu and select 'Color Matching.'
  
  
• Step 9 - Tick the radial button that says 'ColorSync.'
  
  
• Step 10 - Choose your printer and paper profile.
  
  
• Step 11 - Use the same quality settings with the previous print and make a test print.
  
  
• Step 12 - If the resulting print is better than your first run, then it was caused by the upgrade. You will have to manually adjust the settings until the next OS upgrade.

Using the ColorSync Utility on Mac

Your Mac has a tool that allows you to customize options to help you know how to print in color on Mac. Let's get to know more about ColorSync utility.

• Step 1 - Open your ColorSync utility on your Mac. When looking for apps not pinned on your dashboard, you can use 'Spotlight Search' located on your screen's upper right corner.
  
  
• Step 2 - Go to 'File' and 'Open' to choose a file or photo for printing.
  
  
• Step 3 - When your file appears on the screen, go back to 'File' and scroll down for the 'Print' option.
  
  
• Step 4 - Click the 'Show Details' option on the lower left part of the window.
  
  
• Step 5 - The new window will allow you to make more specific adjustments on your file.
  
  
• Step 6 - Click on the drop-down option for 'Color,' which will show you different options:
  • Option 1: Prematch to printer profile - controls the management of color for your file
    
    
  • Option 2: Hand off to printer - allows the printer to control the color of your file
    
    
  • Option 3: Print as color target - this setting does not have any color management
• Step 7 - Selecting the first option will show you other detailed settings.
  • Perceptual - if you want to print photos with realistic colors
    
    
  • Relative colorimetric - if you're printing commercial logos, this setting will keep the accuracy of the specific colors used
    
    
  • Saturation - uses vivid colors that will suit presentations
    
    
  • Absolute colorimetric - utilizes color adjustment

Colors may change from one device to the next. Your ColorSync utility will maintain consistency in color management across all devices.

Conclusion

Printing is still widely used for photos, presentations, or customized card designs. Even if this age engages more electronically, the use of color in printing is still relevant. Now that you know how to print in color on Mac, you can ensure the best color quality for any output.