Modify default custom print settings in 10.5 and 10.6

Jan 28, '10 07:30:00AM

Contributed by: Jaime Gago

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 -- voilą!

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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