Printing using the black cartridge only!!

No matter what settings I use, i.e., greyscale/black cartridge only, the printer continues to use ink from the other cartridges.  I want to use only the black ink cartridge except on the rare occasion I print in color.  Any idea?

tiredofinkscams wrote:
Thanks for the reply.  I have the printer set to "fast draft" on everything, and always use the "greyscale"  and "black cartridge only".  I also never print webpages.  The colored ink cartridges still gradually empty.  Granted the are much slower at emptying than the black, but I want the option of NOT using and having to replace the color cartridges.  I have been tweaking this for some time and I still believe the color cartridges are being used.  Please tell me that that is not intentional on HP's part!
What printer model do you have?  Inkjet printers (from any manufacturer and any model) will use some ink to keep the nozzles unclogged, even if not printing with color for example.  Models with separate ink supplies and printheads will tend to use more ink for servicing than models with the printheads built into the ink supply.  For models with integrated printheads many printers will allow printing with an empty color cartrdige or a color cartrdige that has been removed completely.
Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging 
Bob Headrick,  HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
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