Hands-On Mac 170: macOS Print Center Walkthrough

In this episode of Hands-On Mac, Mikah Sargent explores the Print Center utility in macOS - an essential but often overlooked tool for managing printers and print jobs. Mikah gives a comprehensive walkthrough of the app's features, showing how it can help troubleshoot printer issues and manage your printing needs without requiring bloated third-party software.

Accessing Print Center - Mikah demonstrates multiple ways to open the utility, including using Spotlight (Command+Space), the menu bar search icon, or navigating through Finder to Applications > Utilities

Viewing connected printers - The sidebar displays all connected printers with status indicators

Adding new printers - Mikah shows how to add printers using the plus icon, explaining the three connection methods

Connection protocols - AirPrint is recommended when available as it makes the printer accessible across all Apple devices, not just Macs

Printer management options - The interface allows pausing print jobs, viewing detailed printer information, and checking supply levels for ink or toner

Scanner integration - For multifunction printers, Print Center provides access to the scanning functionality through the Image Capture app

Right-click menu options - Users can make a printer the default, add it to the Dock for quick access, or remove and re-add printers for troubleshooting

System Settings integration - The Printers & Scanners section in System Settings provides similar functionality but with additional options like printing test pages

Job history tracking - Print Center keeps records of completed print jobs, helpful for remembering which printer was used in multi-printer environments

Printer webpage access - Mikah highlights how Print Center provides direct links to printer web interfaces, avoiding the need to install bloated manufacturer software

Manage printers and print jobs - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/manage-printers-print-jobs-center-mac-mchl33bd189d/mac

Host: Mikah Sargent

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