Sometimes printer drivers don't give you important control of default settings. Such as for default duplex. On a Mac, here is a hard way to get those controls.
Setting up a printer on a Mac (as of 4/2018) can result in a default of single-sided printing. When double-sided is preferred, the instructions below may be used to change your printer configuration defaults.
- Note: This technique requires administrator credentials. If you need assistance, contact Chemistry IT.
Setting Default Print Settings on a Mac
- From the terminal, enter sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes
- On a web browser of your choice, go to http://localhost:631
- Select the Printers tab and choose the printer whose default configurations you wish to modify
- On the drop-down box next to Maintenance, change from Administration to Set Default Options
- Most changes, including changing to duplex printing, will be found under General. After choosing your default settings, click Set Default Options
- A message should display confirming that the printer's default settings have been successfully changed.
- Go back to the terminal and deactivate the WebInterface by entering sudo cupsctl WebInterface=no