How to Print a Screenshot on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make It Easy
Have you ever taken the perfect screenshot — an important receipt, a chat, or a key moment —only to get stuck when trying to print it? You’re not alone, and the solution is much simpler than you think.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to print a screenshot on Mac quickly and without hassle.
STEP 1 – Open and Prepare Your Screenshot for Printing
After taking the screenshot, the next step is to make sure it’s ready for printing. That means checking the file, possibly cropping or adjusting it, and opening it with the right app. macOS gives you everything you need with built-in tools like Preview.
- Locate the screenshot on your desktop or wherever it was saved.
- Double-click the file to open it in Preview, the default image viewer for Mac.
- In Preview, you can make basic edits — crop the image, rotate it, or adjust color and size if needed.
- If you want to highlight something specific before printing, use the Markup Toolbar in Preview to add shapes, text, or arrows.
This step is important because it ensures your screenshot looks exactly how you want it to when printed. Many users rush to print and forget that slight adjustments can make a big difference.
No matter what you’re capturing — a map, a chat, or a document — formatting it first helps achieve the best results when learning how to print a screenshot on Mac.
STEP 2 – Print the Screenshot with the Right Settings
Now that your screenshot is ready, it’s time to print. macOS gives you the flexibility to choose your printer, paper size, layout, and more. Getting familiar with these settings ensures your printout looks clean and professional.
- With the screenshot still open in Preview, go to the top menu and click File > Print or simply press Command (⌘) + P.
- A print dialog box will appear. Here, you can select your printer, paper size, and orientation (portrait or landscape).
- If you want to print in grayscale or save ink, choose Black & White under the “Color” options.
- You can also adjust the scale if the image appears too large or small on the preview pane.
- Once everything looks good, click Print.
If you’re using a wireless printer, make sure it’s connected and selected from the list. For PDFs, you can even hit “Save as PDF” if you want a printable version stored digitally.
At this stage, the process of how to print a screenshot on Mac comes full circle — from capture to paper.
Bonus: Tips to Make Printing Screenshots Easier
While the three steps above cover the basics, a few bonus tips can help streamline your workflow and avoid common mistakes:
- Set a default folder for screenshots: By default, screenshots go to your desktop. To keep things organized, use Terminal to change the save location:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshotskillall SystemUIServer
- Use the Screenshot app (macOS Mojave and later): Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 to bring up the screenshot toolbar. This lets you record video or set a timer for screenshots.
- Preview multiple screenshots: Open several at once in Preview to print them together as a batch.
- Double-check printer settings: If the printout looks off, check if your printer drivers are up to date or try printing from another app like Photos or even Safari.
These extra details make a big difference when you’re trying to master how to print a screenshot on Mac regularly.
Quick Reference Table for Screenshot Shortcuts on Mac
| Shortcut | Function | Output Location |
|---|---|---|
Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 | Capture the entire screen | Saved to Desktop |
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 | Capture a selected portion of the screen | Saved to Desktop |
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then Spacebar | Capture a specific window | Saved to Desktop |
Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 | Open the screenshot toolbar | Choose save options |
Command (⌘) + Shift + 6 | Capture Touch Bar (if available) | Saved to Desktop |
Control + any of the above | Copy screenshot to clipboard instead | Clipboard only |
Command (⌘) + P | Print the screenshot (after opening it) | Sends to printer |
Now that you know how to print a screenshot on Mac, using these shortcuts will help you work faster and more efficiently.
Turn Digital Moments Into Something Tangible
In a world where everything seems to live on a screen, printing a screenshot feels almost revolutionary.
Now that you know how to print a screenshot on Mac, you’ve unlocked a skill that blends tech with practicality.
So the next time you capture something important, don’t let it fade away in your files. Print it. Hold it. Share it. Because sometimes, the best way to save something… is to bring it to life on paper.