If you use more than one printer with your Mac, it’s important to know how to choose the default printer. This is useful if you take your Mac to your physical office, school, or library and then return to your home office. And if you share your Mac and printer with others, giving a name and location to your equipment is also helpful.
In this tutorial we’ll show you how to set your default printer as well as change its name and location on your Mac.
Set your default printer on Mac
Open the printer settings on your Mac by selectingSystem Preferences>Printers & Scannersfrom your Dock or menu bar. Then use one of these options to set a default printer.
If you have a specific printer that you want to be set as the default, you canright-clickor holdControl and click the printerin your list. Then selectSet default printer. Alternatively, you can choose the printer name in theDefault printerdrop-down box. You’ll then see “Default” listed for the printer you pick.
If you want the default printer for your Mac to be the one you last used, pickLast Printer Usedin theDefault printerdrop-down box. Your Mac is smart enough to remember the last printer you used. Just be cautious if you select this option because if your Mac travels with you, you may end up printing on a printer at a different location.
You can close the Printers & Scanners window if you’re finished or continue below to change the name or location.
Change your printer’s name and/or location
you may change the name of your printer, its location, or one or the other. You’ll take care of this in the same area as setting the default. So if necessary, head back toSystem Preferences>Printers & Scanners.
To rename your printer quickly, you canright-clickor holdControl and click the printerin your list and selectRename printer. Give it a new name and clickOK. You’ll notice that you can change the location in the pop-up window too.
Alternatively, select the printer in your list and click theOptions & Suppliesbutton. Make sure you’re on theGeneraltab, give your printer a newNameandLocation, and clickOK.
When you finish, close the Printers & Scanners window.
Wrapping it up
When youadd a printer to use with your Mac, there are small things you don’t initially think about. Setting a default printer, if you have more than one, and giving it a name and location all users on your Mac will recognize are a few of them.
Have you run into any problems printing from your Mac? If so, how did you resolve them? Feel free to share your thoughts or comments below or hit us upon Twitter!
