Can you print your Revit drawings in black and white even if they are in color?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in Autodesk Revit, you can print your Revit drawings in black and white even if the views contain color. The most common professional method is to use the Print dialog and set Colors to Black Line before printing. This affects output only, not the model appearance. One limitation is that shaded or image-based content may not reproduce as expected.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If your sheets rely on color for line hierarchy, discipline review, or phased graphics, printing in black and white can make elements look identical and reduce readability. Imported images, filled regions, and subtle gray tones may also lose contrast in output.

How to Print Revit Drawings in Black and White

  • Command: Print

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+P

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the sheet or view, then go to File > Print > Print.
    2. In the Print dialog, under Settings, find the Color option and select Black Line.
    3. Choose the printer or PDF driver, review the selected views/sheets, then click OK or Print.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Color = Black Line

  • Expert Setting: This option forces vector and line-based output to print in black regardless of object color. It is the standard setting for construction document sets because it improves consistency and reduces plotter and PDF color dependencies.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Raster images, rendered views, and shaded visual styles may not convert cleanly to clear black-and-white output.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Linked or imported CAD files may contain screening, true colors, or lineweights that become too dark or too light when forced to black.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users often print with Color or Grayscale still enabled, which keeps view graphics from outputting as true black linework.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Open Print with Ctrl+P and change Color to Black Line before printing or creating the PDF.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use Black Line for most permit, issue, and coordination sets. Avoid it when color carries meaning, such as phasing, analysis views, or presentation sheets.

FAQ

Can revit print in grayscale instead of pure black and white?
Yes, choose Grayscale in the Print dialog instead of Black Line.

Does Black Line change my actual revit view colors?
No, it only changes the printed output.

Can I print linked CAD files in black and white from Revit?
Yes, but imported color settings and screening may still need checking before final output.

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