Print Using Black Ink Only

I am sure there are many of you that have one of those multi-functional, all-in-one printers that do it all.  Well what if one or more of the color ink cartridges runs out and you get that annoying pop up message telling you to replace it.  Then when you try to go print something, it wont let you until you replace that one color.  How frustrating is that?  All you want to do is print a quick page of some instructions or driving directions and black ink would work just fine!  How can you change the settings to let you bypass that message and print using your black ink only?

All you need to do is the following:
(screenshots are specifically from the Canon Pixma MG5220 printer, but this method works with just about any printer, so when looking in your printers setting, look for similar settings to those described below)

1. Open the Properties / Preferences window for the printer.
   
   For Windows 7
   
   • Click 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and 'Devices and Printers .'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Printing Preferences...' from the menu that appears.
   
   For Windows Vista
   • Click / Select 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, 'Control Panel', 'Hardware and Sound', and then click on 'Printers'. Note: If you are in 'Classic' view, Click 'Printers' directly from the 'Control Panel'.
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Printing Preferences...' from the menu that appears.
   For Windows XP Home Edition
   
   • Click / Select 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, 'Control Panel,' 'Printers and Other Hardware,' and 'Printers and Faxes.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Printing Preferences...' from the menu that appears.
   
   For Windows XP Professional Edition
   
   • Click 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and 'Printers and Faxes.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Printing Preferences...' from the menu that appears.
   
   For Windows 2000/ Me/98 (if applicable)
   
   • Click / Select 'Start' from the bottom left of the Windows screen, and 'Settings,' then 'Printers.'
   • Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Properties' from the menu that appears.
2. Click on the Main tab.
3. Select 'Plain Paper' as the Media Type. If any other paper type is selected, color ink will be used to create black. 
   
   
   
   Note: The pigment black ink will only be used when printing on plain paper.
4. Select the box for 'Grayscale Printing'.     (Most ALL printers will have this option to print in grayscale.  Be advised, grayscale printing may be using the color ink cartridges in combination to create the grayscale.  So while under these options, check if there is a "Print Black Only" feature.  If so, use this option instead of printing in grayscale to ensure you are using the black ink only.)
   
   
   
   Note: If either 'Borderless Printing' or 'Duplex Printing' are enabled from the Page Setup tab, grayscale will be created using a combination of the color (dye) inks to prevent smearing.
5. Click 'OK' to save the changes.

The printer will now only use the pigment black ink tank.

I do suggest replacing your color ink cartridge(s) as soon as you can to get back to enjoying that full potential of what your printer has to offer....isn't that one of the reason you bought it?

Hope this helped!

ENJOY!

Referenced from the Canon website.