Italian for the Copy Shop: Asking for Black-and-White Printing
Learn to ask for bianco e nero printing in Italian, specify which pages stay in color, and answer staff questions about copies and toner saving.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
At an Italian copy shop (often called a copisteria), the person at the counter will usually ask how you want your document printed before starting the job. The key decision is color versus black and white, in Italian bianco e nero or the common abbreviation b/n. This lesson gives you short, polite, cost-conscious sentences to request black-and-white output, to keep one page in color, and to ask how many copies are included. You will also learn to understand the questions staff ask about grayscale and toner saving, so the job comes out the way you expect.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a document to be printed in black and white instead of color.
- specify which pages should stay in color and which should not.
- ask how many copies are included and answer staff questions about grayscale and toner saving.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Tutto in bianco e nero, per favore.
Everything in black and white, please.
TOOT-toh een BYAHN-koh eh NEH-roh, pehr fah-VOH-reh
The simplest way to set the whole job to black and white. Use it right after you hand over the file or USB stick.
Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne la copertina.
Everything in black and white, except the cover.
TOOT-toh een BYAHN-koh eh NEH-roh, TRAHN-neh lah koh-pehr-TEE-nah
Use tranne to name the one exception. You can swap la copertina for other pages, for example tranne la prima pagina (except the first page).
Quante copie sono incluse?
How many copies are included?
KWAHN-teh KOH-pyeh SOH-noh een-KLOO-zeh
Asks about the number of copies covered by the job or offer. It does not assume a price; it simply asks what is included.
Solo fronte, grazie.
Single-sided only, thanks.
SOH-loh FROHN-teh, GRAH-tsyeh
Says you want printing on one side of the sheet only. The opposite is fronte e retro (front and back).
Va bene anche la scala di grigi.
Grayscale is fine too.
vah BEH-neh AHN-keh lah SKAH-lah dee GREE-jee
Use this if you do not need true black and white and grayscale is acceptable. It shows you understand the staff question.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne... lets you set a default and then name one exception. Tutto means everything, tranne means except. For example: Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne la copertina. You can also say Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne le ultime due pagine (except the last two pages). Keep the exception in the singular or plural form that matches the page or pages you mean.
When to use it
Use these sentences at the counter when you hand over your file, before the staff member starts the machine. If you are not sure about the settings, ask Quante copie sono incluse? and listen for a number. If the staff member asks Preferisce la scala di grigi? (Do you prefer grayscale?), answer Va bene la scala di grigi or No, bianco e nero vero. This keeps the conversation clear and avoids surprises.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, devo stampare questo file. Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne la copertina.
Good morning, I need to print this file. Everything in black and white, except the cover.bwohn-JOHR-noh, DEH-voh stahm-PAH-reh KWEHS-toh FEE-leh. TOOT-toh een BYAHN-koh eh NEH-roh, TRAHN-neh lah koh-pehr-TEE-nahVa bene. Quante copie le servono?
All right. How many copies do you need?vah BEH-neh. KWAHN-teh KOH-pyeh leh SEHR-voh-nohDue copie. Quante copie sono incluse?
Two copies. How many copies are included?DOO-eh KOH-pyeh. KWAHN-teh KOH-pyeh SOH-noh een-KLOO-zehLe copie sono incluse nel prezzo base. Va bene anche la scala di grigi per la copertina?
The copies are included in the base price. Is grayscale also fine for the cover?leh KOH-pyeh SOH-noh een-KLOO-zeh nehl PREH-tsoh BAH-zeh. vah BEH-neh AHN-keh lah SKAH-lah dee GREE-jee pehr lah koh-pehr-TEE-nahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, a copisteria is often a small independent shop, and the person at the counter may handle your job directly. Politeness matters: start with buongiorno or salve, use per favore and grazie, and address staff with lei unless they invite tu. Prices and what is included vary by shop, so ask rather than assume. In some regions you may hear the short form b/n for bianco e nero; it is widely understood in print shops.
One thing to watch for
Saying Vorrei tutto in nero e bianco, translating the English word order directly.
Try this instead: The standard Italian order is bianco e nero, with bianco first. Say Tutto in bianco e nero, per favore. If you need to be very clear, add non a colori (not in color).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for everything in black and white, except the cover?
Show a sample answer
Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne la copertina.
Tutto sets the default, and tranne introduces the one exception. You could also say Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne la prima pagina if the cover is the first page.
2A staff member asks: Va bene la scala di grigi? You do not need true black and white. What can you answer?
Show a sample answer
Va bene anche la scala di grigi.
This accepts grayscale. If you want true black and white, answer No, preferisco il bianco e nero vero. Both answers are valid depending on your needs.
3How do you ask how many copies are included?
Show a sample answer
Quante copie sono incluse?
This asks what the job or offer covers without assuming a price. A staff member might answer with a number, for example Due copie sono incluse.
At the copisteria, lead with Tutto in bianco e nero, tranne... to set your default and exceptions, then ask Quante copie sono incluse? to confirm the job. Keep it polite with per favore and grazie.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Italian into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr