Work with Network Printers - Mac OS X

These instructions explain how to connect to a printer, set a default printer, and remove printers that are no longer used, on computers running Mac OS X.

To use a networked departmental printer you may need to obtain its exact network print queue name.  Look for a sticker on the printer showing this information or consult the printer list. Co-workers and department coordinators may also be able to provide you with the needed name(s).  Many printers now belong to special print queues (e.g., MiddBW and MiddColor) that provide flexibility in where you choose to release and print your documents.

Once you have obtained the printer queue name(s), simply follow the appropriate steps below to connect to desired printers, then set a default printer that you use most often.

Easily Connect College-Owned Macs to Network Printers using Self Service

Use of the Self Service application is the easiest and recommended way to install printers on College-owned Macs.  

1. Click the Self Service icon (Middlebury shield) on the Dock to launch the program (or use Go > Applications from the Finder menu to locate then launch it).
2. Click Printers in the left-hand pane of the Self Service window.
3. Scroll or use the search field in upper left to locate a desired printer, then click its Install button. 
   • MIDDLEBURY Campus - Choose Printer Queue - MiddBW and Printer Queue - MiddColor to install these flexible print queues.
   • MONTEREY Campus -- Choose Printer Queue - MiddBW - MIIS and Printer Queue - MiddColor - MIIS to install these flexible print queues.
   • If you cannot find the printer you want in Self Service, you will need to follow the instructions below, Connect to Network Printers Manually on a Mac.

Connect To Network Printers Manually on a Mac

In most cases you will not need to use the instructions below for College-owned Macs; you'll use Self Service (described above). 

For personally-owned Macs, Mobility print provides the simplest installation and is generally recommended, though it may not support all functions of the printers.

1. First, get the make and model of the printer. The printer itself should show the model number in a prominent location. Write this down for later.
2. Click on the Apple menu icon then choose System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
3. Under the Hardware section, click the Print & Scan icon:  (or Printers & Scanners on macOS Ventura).
4. Click the plus icon (+) to open the Printer Browser. (On macOS Ventura, click the Add printer,Scanner, or Fax... button.)
5. In the printer configuration dialog box, enter the following settings:
   • Click on the IP button on the toolbar.
   • In the Address field, type one of the following print servers, as appropriate:
     • Walnut -- Queues for Middlebury campus printers including middcolor & middbw
     • Seaotter -- Queues for MIIS printers
     • Papercut -- Queue for posters

• In the Protocol drop-down list, choose Line Printer Daemon - LPD.
• In the Queue field, type the printer's network name (ie, middcolor or P0123).
• In the Name field, type a name for the printer. (It is strongly suggested to change this from the default, which just lists the server, to the network name.)
• In the Location field, type the location of the printer. (Optional)

• In the Use: drop-down list, choose Select Software... Then use the search field to find and select the closest printer model (ie "KONICA MINOLTA C450I PS", a good choice for middcolor/middbw). You can search for "C450" to see similar models in the results list.

  • If you don't see any appropriate drivers listed, check the model again, then download the drivers from the manufacturer's website and start over.

6. Click Add. Your printer will appear in the Print & Fax dialog box.
7. For best functionality with middcolor/middbw queues, include the following options:
   1. Paper Source Unit.  PC-216
   2. Finisher.  FS-539
   3. Punch Unit.  PK-524 (2/3-Hole)
8. To change the default printer, select it in the Default Printer: drop-down list in the Print & Scan dialog box.
9. Close the Print & Scan dialog box.

Set Your Default Printer

Follow these steps to be sure the printer you use most often is selected as your default printer:

1. From the Apple menu or your dock, open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
2. Click Printers & Scanners.
3. Use the drop-down menu to adjust the Default printer setting as needed. 

Save Frequently-Used Print Settings

Refer to Apple's documentation that explains how to save frequently-used print settings for ease of later use.  Select your Mac's OS version using the drop-down at the top of the article.

Remove a Printer

You can easily remove printers you no longer use.  Here's how:

1. From the Apple menu or your dock, open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura).
2. Click Printers & Scanners.
3. In the Printers pane, click once on the printer you wish to remove, then click the "minus" sign below (or click the Remove Printer button in macOS Ventura).
4. Click the Delete Printer button when asked to confirm your choice.