# Do printers use color ink when you print in black?

> It depends on what you are printing. If you are printing black text, your printer should only be using the black cartridge. If you are printing i...

Source: https://support.ldproducts.com/en_us/do-printers-use-color-ink-when-you-print-in-black-BylX7F1Iv

Last updated: 2021-03-10T22:37:24.855Z

It depends on what you are printing.  If you are printing black text, your printer should only be using the black cartridge.  If you are printing in gray, some color ink might be used to help you achieve the correct shading.  Whenever the cartridges are primed or go through the cartridge cleaning process, black and color ink will be used to prime all of the cartridges, even if you are just printing with the black cartridge.  To better preserve the ink in your black cartridge, check to see if a “black ink only” or “grayscale” setting is available for your printer.  You can usually find this option under the "printer properties" menu of your printer.  We show you how below!

Under the print menu, select "Printer Properties"

![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/5f1748b36b69540019712b20/f9474b7ac778124c03225483c073c011.JPG)

In "Printer Properties", navigate to the color tab to check "Print in Grayscale"

![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/5f1748b36b69540019712b20/98511c8ebd6587250b433a8671580ce5.JPG)

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