HP 8600 Officejet Pro print light/dark control

[Americano101]

HP 8600 Officejet Pro e-All-in-One

Windows XP

Is there any way to darken the black print on my machine? The copy feature offers this feature but I can't find anything for printing purposes.

[Kyle_W · Accepted solution]

The only option to darken the text is to change the print quality to its highest setting. To do so, please follow the steps listed below. 

• In the software program you are trying to print from, click File, and then click Print . The Print dialog box will open.
• Select your product from the Name drop-down menu, and then click Properties . The Properties dialog box will then open.
• Click the Paper/Quality tab.
•  Under Quality Settings you will be able to increase the print quality.

[Americano101]

Thank you. I'm aware of the quality settings but was seeking how to darken printed text as is available with the copy feature. It doesn't seem to be an available feature.   

[Kyle_W]

Correct. There is no setting on the printer to change the darkness of text. The only option to darken the text is to change the print quality to its highest setting. 

[Iilacerra]

How do u change print quality to its highest setting?

[Harry77]

Black printing quality is excellent when printing from computer.  But suddenly it is very weak when I photocopy text on the HP 8600.  I changed the black ink cartridge, and that made no difference.  There is still the same disparity: computer printing is fine, which photocopying printing is weak.  What's the solution?

[Advance23]

Harry77,

I would like to help you with your ink quality issue. On the front panel of your printer touch *Copy*  then touch *Settings* then touch *Lighter/Darker* to adjust the color for your copies then touch *Set As New Defaults* to save at desired setting.

To read about changing your copy settings download your Manual.

Let me know if this helped or if you need further assistance.

[Harry77]

'Lighter/Darker' isn't actually under 'Settings.' It's only on the 'Copy' home page.  So I adjusted the Lighter/Darker there and then went to setting, scrolled down to Set as Default, and clicked OK.  This solves the problem, but I must say it is strange to have this problem after several years of using the HP8600 and NOT having the problem.  That makes me wonder what causes it.

[hp8600user101]

Faxes sent out on my new 8600 printer come through much lighter than faxes that I send with an older HP 2727.  Is there any way to darken the fax output?  (I realize I could first copy the fax on a darker setting and then fax the copy, but I would prefer a one-step fix.)

[Rainbow7000]

Hello hp8600user101,

I understand you are looking for how to change your fax resolution to a darker setting. I have checked this on my own OJ Pro 8600 and found the following for you:

On the display screen:

Select - Fax - Settings - Lighter/Darker and from there change the resolution on your faxes.

I hope this helps you!

Regards,