A monochrome printer (100) and a method for printer optics design utilizing a spatial light modulator (52), able to deploy a number of possible monochromatic light sources for use with a number of different types of photosensitive media (160), are disclosed. The printer provides high resolution and grayscale imaging capability for monochromatic applications such as micrographics and for diagnostic imaging. In the apparatus and method, illumination optics (11) receive a source light beam, from one or more LEDs or from a number of other possible monochromatic light sources available on the printer (100), uniformize and polarize the beam, and direct the beam through a polarization beamsplitter element (50). The polarization beamsplitter element (50) directs one polarization state of light to an LCD spatial light modulator (52). The LCD spatial light modulator (52) modulates the polarization of the polarized beam to provide output exposure energy suitable for image marking on dry or aqueous photosensitive media (160). An optional sensor (234) allows printer (100) to automatically select a monochromatic light source of appropriate wavelength for a given type of photosensitive media (160).