Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6

This hint allow you to modify the default printing preset, that is, the preset selected by default for an already-installed printer. It all happens (in 10.5) in the file named com.apple.print.custompresets.plist in your user's Library/Preferences folder. In 10.6, the file name is more complex:

com.apple.print.custompresets.forprinter.YOUR_PRINTER_MODEL.plist

To edit these files, you can use your favorite binary-capable text editor (TextWrangler, BBEdit, etc.), or the Property List Editor that comes with the free XCode development environment. Start by saving your favorite printer's printing preset through the GUI the usual way, then edit the plist mentioned earlier.

What you are looking for is the com.apple.print.lastPresetPref key, which has a class of string, and a default value of Standard. Just replace Standard with the exact name of your saved preset, then save the edited file. If you're running 10.5, you're done -- voilà!

In 10.6, you also have to modify the com.apple.print.lastPresetPrefType (class is Number) key in the prefs file. You might need to play around a bit to find the number that matches your desired preset. In my case, with only one saved preset, it was 3.

[robg adds: I haven't tested this one.]

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Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: arcticmac on Jan 29, '10 10:20:39AM

Nominally at least, once you've saved some settings as a configuration, the printer should default to whatever named configuration you used last - at least, that's how it worked for me here.

But also, if you want a bit more fine-grained control, you can use the CUPS web interface here:
http://localhost:631/
which will let you configure most (if not all) of the default settings for a printer, plus lets you do lots of other cool things. I can't remember the number 631 very well between times I need it, so I just keep a bookmark to that page.

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: rgray on Jan 29, '10 10:35:08AM

I tried this but it asks for a login. I tried my admin account name and p'word but was rejected. What is it looking for?

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: seanmcgrath on Jan 29, '10 02:22:06PM

CUPS wants a userid of "root".

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: rgray on Jan 29, '10 02:51:54PM

I have only one account (as admin). Is that not the 'root'? I am clearly missing something. Any clarification would be appreciated.

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: rgray on Jan 29, '10 04:49:02PM

Got it from this cups.org page. CUPS expects the short account name as username.

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: Jaime Gago on Jan 29, '10 10:43:49AM

My original goal was to force a default black and white preset for a computer lab. Since pushing property lists in managed environments is quite trivial I gave up playing around with /etc/cups configuration files pretty fast...

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: swooop on Feb 02, '10 11:13:50AM

Hm, I was looking for something that assigns different settings to DIFFERENT printers but this one only works for one printer. Anyone a solution?

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: Jaime Gago on Feb 03, '10 10:42:57AM

In 10.6 because there is a plist for each printer it is possible to set a *different* custom preset as default for *each* printer. You can do this thanks to a new behavior for 10.6 printing presets , i.e. when you are saving your custom preset you can attribute it to all printers or just to the one selected when you are saving the preset. Make sure to change the number as in the original hint.

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: swooop on Feb 04, '10 06:51:03AM

Thanks, and yes it's time to upgrade ;-)

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: fisherman on Jun 15, '10 08:37:09AM

I couldn't get it to work. I am trying to force the printer to print on both sides by default (who would have thought that such a practical task would require rocket science :-( ). If I go the long way around and select print from the file menu with the associated preset then its fine but if I print direct from the print icon alas I am back to wasting paper again. Any advice would be appreciated.

Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6
Authored by: Aaron Wyatt on Apr 04, '11 02:48:29PM

Note for Managed Client printer preferences (MCX) these preference domains are com.apple.custompresets.forprinter.mcx_0.plist. Note if you have more than one MCX printer, just use mcx_1, mcx_2 etc.

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