Printer setup process
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➜
🌐
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📄 PS
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🖨️
- Confirm the copier’s network address and installed print options.
- Select IPP, IPPS, Bonjour, RAW 9100 or LPR for the connection.
- Select a model-specific PostScript driver or compatible PPD.
- Configure trays, finisher, duplex unit and color options.
- Print a configuration page and a two-sided test document.
Driver types
| Driver | Best use | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Model-specific PostScript | Best feature support for Adobe, graphics and mixed-platform offices | The copier must have PostScript support or an installed PS option |
| Universal PostScript | Several models from the same manufacturer | Some finishing and accounting options may require manual configuration |
| PPD file | macOS, Linux Mint and ChromeOS model definitions | A PPD describes features but may not contain every vendor utility |
| IPP Everywhere | Driverless modern printing through CUPS or compatible systems | Older copiers may not support modern IPP |
| AirPrint | macOS, iPhone and iPad | Available options depend on what the printer advertises |
| Mopria or Android Default Print Service | Android phones and tablets | Android does not install desktop PostScript drivers |
PCL and PostScript are different printer languages. Do not select a generic PostScript driver unless the copier’s configuration page confirms PostScript support.
Network printing protocols
IPv4
IPv6
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IPP
9100
LPR
Bonjour
| Protocol | Typical address or port | Use |
|---|---|---|
| IPP | ipp://address/ipp/print, usually port 631 | Preferred modern printing and driverless discovery |
| IPPS | ipps://address/ipp/print, usually port 443 or 631 | Encrypted IPP when supported |
| RAW / AppSocket | socket://address:9100 | Reliable direct printing to many office copiers |
| LPR/LPD | Port 515 with queue such as print, lp or ps | Older print servers and copiers |
| Bonjour / mDNS | Automatic local-network discovery | AirPrint and easy setup without manually entering an address |
| SMB | TCP 445 for SMB2/3 | Shared queues and scan-to-folder, not the preferred direct-print protocol |
IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
| Address type | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IPv4 | 192.168.1.50 | Use a DHCP reservation or static address outside the DHCP pool |
| IPv6 global or ULA | 2001:db8::50 | Use brackets inside a URI: ipp://[2001:db8::50]/ipp/print |
| IPv6 link-local | fe80::1234:5678:abcd:ef01 | Works only on the local segment and may require an interface scope |
| Hostname | copier-office.local | Bonjour names can change if duplicate names exist |
A stable IPv4 reservation, routable IPv6 address or managed hostname usually causes fewer support calls than an IPv6 link-local address.
Windows 11 PostScript setup
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➜
TCP/IP
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PS
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🖨️
- Download the manufacturer’s current model-specific or universal PostScript driver. Extract the package if it contains an INF file.
- Open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners and Add device.
- Select Add manually when the printer does not appear.
- Select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname.
- Enter the stable IPv4 address, IPv6 address or hostname.
- Choose the manufacturer’s PostScript driver. Select Have Disk when you downloaded an INF package.
- Open Printer properties, then Device Settings or Configuration.
- Enable the installed trays, duplex unit, finisher and accounting options.
- Open Printing Preferences and choose PostScript defaults, paper size and color mode.
- Print a Windows test page and a two-sided PDF.
For a Standard TCP/IP Port, RAW port 9100 works with many copiers. Use LPR only when the correct queue name is known.
Windows IPP setup
- Open Printers & scanners and select Add device.
- If discovery finds the IPP printer, select it and complete setup.
- For manual setup, use the printer’s documented IPP address, commonly
http://address/ipp/print. - Allow Windows to use the compatible driverless class driver when full finishing features are unnecessary.
- Install the manufacturer’s PostScript package when accounting, booklet or advanced finishing controls are required.
Avoid exposing RAW 9100, LPR, IPP or printer administration pages directly to the public internet.
macOS PostScript setup
🍎
➜
Bonjour
IPP
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PPD
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🖨️
- Install the current macOS PostScript package from the copier manufacturer when one is available.
- Open System Settings, then Printers & Scanners.
- Select Add Printer, Scanner or Fax.
- Use the Default tab for Bonjour or AirPrint discovery.
- Use the IP tab when entering an address manually.
- Select AirPrint, IPP, LPD or HP Jetdirect Socket according to the copier’s supported protocol.
- In Use, select the model-specific PostScript driver or PPD. Use Generic PostScript Printer only when the copier supports PS.
- Complete setup and enable the installed paper trays and finishing options.
- Print a two-sided PDF and verify color, paper selection and finishing.
ChromeOS PostScript and PPD setup
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➜
IPP
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PPD
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🖨️
- Connect the Chromebook and copier to the same trusted network.
- Select the time, Settings, Device, then Printers and scanners.
- Open Print and save the printer when ChromeOS discovers it.
- For manual setup, enter a name and the printer’s IP address.
- Select IPP for most modern copiers.
- Try
ipp/printfor the queue when the manufacturer does not specify another path. - Select the manufacturer and model during advanced setup.
- If unavailable, select a compatible Generic PostScript PPD or browse to the manufacturer’s PPD.
- Print a test page and verify duplex and color options.
ChromeOS supports PPD or compressed PPD files up to 250 KB. A PPD describes printer features but does not install a traditional desktop driver.
Linux Mint and CUPS setup
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➜
CUPS
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IPP
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🖨️
- Open Printers from the Linux Mint system settings.
- Select Add and allow CUPS to discover the printer.
- Choose the driverless IPP Everywhere option when the copier supports it.
- For PostScript, install the manufacturer’s Debian package or select its PPD.
- Use AppSocket/JetDirect for RAW port 9100 when IPP is unavailable.
- Configure trays, duplex, color and finishing options.
- Print a CUPS test page and a PDF.
Useful CUPS addresses
Driverless IPP:
ipp://printer-address/ipp/print
IPv6 IPP:
ipp://[IPv6-address]/ipp/print
RAW port 9100:
socket://printer-address:9100
CUPS administration:
http://localhost:631
Current CUPS development favors driverless IPP. Use legacy PPD drivers only when the copier lacks IPP Everywhere or requires features that driverless printing does not expose.
iPhone and iPad printing
📱
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Wi-Fi
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AirPrint
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🖨️
- Confirm that the copier supports AirPrint and has current firmware.
- Enable IPP, Bonjour or mDNS and AirPrint in the copier’s network settings.
- Connect the iPhone or iPad to the same network.
- Open the document and select Share, then Print.
- Select the AirPrint printer.
- Choose copies, pages, duplex, color and paper options that the printer advertises.
- Select Print.
iOS does not install Windows or macOS PostScript drivers. AirPrint sends the job through IPP using the capabilities advertised by the printer.
Android printing
🤖
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Mopria
IPP
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🖨️
- Connect the Android device and copier to the same trusted network.
- Open Settings and search for Printing.
- Enable Default Print Service, Mopria Print Service or the manufacturer’s print service.
- Allow the service to discover the copier.
- If supported, add the printer by IP address.
- Open a document, choose Print and select the copier.
- Choose paper, color, duplex and page options, then print.
Android does not install desktop PostScript drivers. Mopria, IPP or the manufacturer’s app translates the print request for the device.
Bonjour and discovery troubleshooting
- Keep the client and copier on the same VLAN when relying on Bonjour.
- Permit mDNS multicast traffic between approved networks when cross-VLAN discovery is required.
- Check that Bonjour, mDNS, AirPrint and IPP are enabled on the copier.
- Remove duplicate or outdated printer queues.
- Use a stable IP address when discovery remains unreliable.
- Confirm that client isolation is disabled on the required Wi-Fi network.
Bonjour finds the printer. IPP, IPPS or another print protocol carries the actual print job.
Older copiers and newer operating systems
🖨️ SMB1
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🛡️ Relay
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SMB3
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💻
SMB1 has serious security vulnerabilities. Windows 11 does not install SMB1 by default. Never expose SMB1 to the internet, a guest network or an unrestricted business network.
Preferred solutions
- Update the copier firmware and enable SMB2 or SMB3.
- Use scan to email, FTP, SFTP or onboard document storage if supported.
- Place the older copier on an isolated VLAN.
- Use a dedicated relay computer or NAS that accepts the copier’s legacy connection and writes to a modern SMB3 share.
- Replace the legacy network controller when safe compatibility cannot be achieved.
Temporary Windows SMB1 client
Use this only on a dedicated, isolated service workstation after the customer accepts the security risk. Do not enable the SMB1 server component unless a documented requirement specifically demands it.
- Open Windows Features.
- Expand SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
- Enable only SMB 1.0/CIFS Client.
- Restart the computer.
- Restrict firewall access to the copier’s address and isolated network.
- Use a dedicated local account without administrator rights.
- Complete the migration or testing.
- Disable and remove SMB1 afterward.
Administrator PowerShell installation:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol-Client -All
Remove it afterward:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol-Client
Legacy support by operating system
| System | Recommended legacy approach |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Isolated relay preferred. Temporary SMB1 Client only as a controlled exception. |
| macOS | Use SMB2/3, email, SFTP or a relay. Do not weaken normal Mac security for a copier. |
| Linux Mint | Use a dedicated isolated Samba relay with the minimum legacy access needed. |
| ChromeOS | Use IPP or a managed print server. ChromeOS is not a general SMB1 compatibility workstation. |
| iOS and iPadOS | Use AirPrint, scan to email or a supported vendor app. |
| Android | Use Mopria, IPP, scan to email or a supported vendor app. |
Final installation test
- Print a one-page black-and-white document.
- Print a color PDF containing fonts and images.
- Test duplex printing.
- Test each installed paper tray.
- Test stapling, punching or booklet finishing when installed.
- Confirm that the driver reports paper and device status correctly.
- Restart the computer and print again.
- Record the driver version, protocol, address and queue name.
A completed installation prints after restart, exposes the correct device options and does not rely on an address that changes.