6 Replies Latest reply on Apr 1, 2010 11:04 AM by TheMarkness

color .ai file will only print in b&w

MScMom Mar 30, 2010 6:10 PM

My students (university) are using Illustrator to create their own maps. A few of them have been having a problem where their colour map (on screen) does not print in colour. One student in particular has tried her file on multiple computers in multiple computer labs and on multiple printers. This leads me to believe its something in Illustrator and not something with the printers. Though it could still have to do with the school's version of illustrator. Though not all the students are having this problem. So I was wondering if anyone might have any insight to this?
I have the file here at home that she emailed me, so I can try it out.

Thanks in advance for any help.

1. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

Doug Katz Mar 30, 2010 6:18 PM (in response to MScMom)

Does it print grayscale to your printer at home?
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2. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

MScMom Mar 31, 2010 3:00 PM (in response to Doug Katz)

Good question. It does print in colour at home...
So maybe it is a setting that is different on my illustrator than what is at the university?
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3. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

Doug Katz Mar 31, 2010 6:06 PM (in response to MScMom)

So there you go. Some setting in the Print dialog or some way the school printer is set to output.
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4. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

TheMarkness Apr 1, 2010 9:30 AM (in response to MScMom)

I recommend checking your print dialog settings in AI, but I would also click the "setup" button in the print dialog to go into the printer's driver dialog to make sure it isn't set on printing in gray scale. Checking these settings shouldn't be too difficult, most of them have easily navigatable tabs that will help you along the way. If you can use Illy, you shouldn't have too much trouble in print drivers.
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5. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

Larry G. Schneider Apr 1, 2010 9:49 AM (in response to TheMarkness)

Doesn't surprise me that a school printer is set to grayscale. Money is hard to come by these days.
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6. Re: color .ai file will only print in b&w

TheMarkness Apr 1, 2010 11:04 AM (in response to Larry G. Schneider)

It's funny that schools do this...often, I've experienced spending more on just black ink than color when trying to print things in gray scale over periods of time...I would think it would be less expensive to leave it on four color and run the toner on usage reduction, or set the print drivers to run at lower DPIs, which many can do these days...especially in post script. PCL drivers have been able to do it forever!

Again...some children's people!
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