Changing default printer settings through CUPS still doesn't work, regardless of application

[felixrelix]

Hello, I've looked through a number of posts about setting printer defaults in a Mac, but nothing addresses my specific problem. I recently switched from a PC to a MacBook Pro, just updated to Mountain Lion, and installed my wireless printer, HP Deskjet F4500 Series, using the driver selected by my computer. The printer-computer connection is working in general, but when I go into CUPS and change the default settings to Fast Draft, B/W only, it doesn't apply when I print. I've tried it several times, always making sure to save my default settings in CUPS (and indeed they show up there as Fast Draft, B/W only) but regardless of which application I print from--Safari, Chrome, text edit, etc.--it prints in color and normal mode unless I manually select the settings for that particular print job. This is especially an issue when printing things that don't pop-up a print dialogue, such as coupons online. I was easily able to change the default printer settings on my PC laptop, and they applied to coupon printing as well, but I'm having no such luck with the Mac. Help, please! Thanks!

[PrintDoc]

Print in the mode you want.  Print again from the same app and choose Last Used Settings in the Presets.  That should make that mode stick in that app.

Move on to the next app and do the same thing.

[felixrelix]

Thank you for your reply. I understand that's how the sticky presets work, but my issue is with setting defaults in general. There are times when I don't want to use the default settings, so to rely on sticky presets means that if I deviated once from the preset, I would have to remember to go back and reprint under the "default" preset after that, right? Why wouldn't the default settings apply in the first place, rather than have to mess with a tedious workaround?

Also (and more importantly for my printing needs), this wouldn't work in the cases I mentioned where no print dialogue appears, such as with coupon printing (which is the majority of what I'd be printing using those defaults). In those types of print jobs, the web-based application relies strictly on the default printer settings and doesn't allow for the selection of any presets, copy amounts, etc. I've talked with AppleCare about this issue, and they believe it may be a problem with the printer driver, that it's not accepting the default settings I've set in CUPS. Any ideas? Thank you again for your reply.

[PrintDoc]

OK, understood.  Setting the CUPS defaults should work.

The only thing I can think of is to reset the printing system and then re-set the CUPS defaults:

- Go to System Preferences > Print & Scan
- Right (or control) click in the rectangle listing your printers and select Reset Printing System.
WARNING - this will delete ALL of your printers!
- Select the plus sign to re-add a printer. Select the Defualt tab on the top of the window. Look for the printer, select it and wait until the "Add" button becomes available. Click it.

[felixrelix]

Thanks again for the reply. I tried resetting the defaults, as suggested, and adding the printer anew, but it's still doing the same thing. I was able to get the preset to work from Pages (not default, but preset), and am going to try it with the coupons to see if it sticks, but having some trouble with the web-based coupon printer. I will update later about whether the sticky presets work with the coupon printer. As for the default settings issue, I'm not sure what to do with that. Thanks!

[felixrelix]

Update: The sticky presets did not work for the coupon printer, as suspected. Any other ideas from anyone regarding why setting the defaults for this printer will not work? Is it a driver issue? Unfortunately, I recently bought my Mac and have only used Mountain Lion, so I'm not sure if this is perhaps an OS compatibility issue with the driver?

[PrintDoc]

OK, I was able to get some help from some HP experts on this.

- The CUPS defaults only apply when printing from the Terminal.

- Create the print mode you want and print with it once.  Then, print again, using the Presets pulldown to "Save current settings as preset".

- As far as printing from the coupon app, if there is not a print dialog, I am not sure how to set its defaults/presets, however the last used preset (your custom one you saved) may stick as the default for that.

[felixrelix]

Okay, that sheds some light on my issue, though I've read everywhere about the CUPS settings working for other applications than the Terminal. In fact, the AppleCare rep I talked with on the phone a few days ago said the defaults set in CUPS (the only way to set defaults other than presets) should apply to everything. I guess I'll need to get a new printer, since the majority of my print needs are for coupons, and those are too expensive to print in full color and quality. Thank you for your help, though! 

[lightrack]

I have a HP CM1415fn and Mountain Lion on MBP 15" mid 2012. I meet the same problem - I am unable to print in black by default in any application.

Using CUPS I set default options as written in this manual

http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/15962-setting-a-printer-to-default-to-b-w-in-mac-os-lion...

Usually it works, but not in my case. CUPS default options has no effect even in Terminal.

I tried to reset MAC printing system, delete and add printer, reboot my mac, install different HP drivers but without success.

I appreciate any help, if you have any advices, please response.

[lightrack · Accepted solution]

Finally I have solved it!

There are two options in Mountain Lion when you add the printer HP CM1415fn (Apple -> System Preferences -> Print & Scan 😞 "AirPrint" and "HP LaserJet CM1410 Series".

So, with "AirPrint" setting CUPS Default Options has no effect, even if you modify .PPD file manually.

Fortunately, with "HP LaserJet CM1410 Series" setting CUPS Default Options works well!!!!