💻 TechnologyGrade 2Lesson 14
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Printing with Help from an Adult

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Follow the correct steps to print a document — open the file, use the File menu, choose Print settings, and collect the pages — with help from an adult
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Mini Lesson

Printing turns the words and pictures on your screen into a real piece of paper that you can hold, read, and keep. It sounds simple, but there are a few important steps to follow — and a few things that can go wrong if you rush!

Before you print — ask an adult

  • Always ask a parent or grown-up before printing — printers use paper and ink, which cost money.
  • Make sure the printer is on and has paper loaded.
  • Check that the printer is connected to the computer — either by a cable or Wi-Fi.

The four printing steps

  1. Open the document you want to print.
  2. Click File in the menu bar at the top, then choose Print — or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac).
  3. A Print dialog box appears. Check: the correct printer is selected, the number of copies is right, and the page range is correct (usually All pages).
  4. Click the Print button and wait. Go to the printer and collect your pages when they come out.

The print dialog box — what each part does

  • Printer name — shows which printer will receive the job. Make sure it is the correct one!
  • Copies — how many copies of the document to print. Set to 1 unless you need more.
  • Page range — choose All (all pages), Current page (just the one on screen), or enter specific page numbers.
  • Orientation — Portrait (tall) or Landscape (wide).

Common printing problems and solutions

  • Nothing is printing — check that the printer is on and has paper.
  • Wrong printer selected — go back to the dialog box and choose the correct printer.
  • Printed too many copies — press Cancel in the print queue or ask an adult to stop the job.
Four Steps to Print a DocumentFour numbered step cards showing the printing process: open the document, click File then Print, check the print dialog box settings, then click Print and collect the pages.How to Print1Open documentDouble-click to open2File to Printor Ctrl + P3Check settingsPrinter, copies,page range4Print & collectClick Print, thencollect your pagesPrinter
Four numbered printing steps — open document, File to Print (or Ctrl + P), check the settings dialog, then click Print and collect pages.
Print Dialog BoxA labeled print dialog box showing the printer name field, copies number, page range selector, orientation option, and the Print button — each part labeled with an arrow.PrintxPrinter:HP DeskJet 2700Printer nameCopies:1Number of copiesPages:AllCurrentPages:Page rangeLayout:PortraitorientationPrintClick to print!
A labeled Print dialog box showing the printer name, number of copies, page range selector, orientation, and the Print button.
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Ask yourself: "What is the very first thing I should do before pressing Print? What could go wrong if I skip the Print dialog box?"

Vocabulary
Print
To make a paper copy of something on the screene.g. I print my practice sheet to bring to the table.
Printer
A machine that puts the file onto papere.g. The printer made two copies of my page.
Print dialog box
A small window that appears when you choose Printe.g. I check the print dialog box for the right printer.
Preview
A look at how a file will appear before you print ite.g. The preview showed I had two pages.
Copy
A duplicate of a file or pagee.g. I made one copy for my grandma.
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