Enable Raspberry Pi to Print to Networked Printers and Print Servers

Intro: Enable Raspberry Pi to Print to Networked Printers and Print Servers

Introduction

Ever since my desktop PC went kaput. I have been using Raspberry Pi as my desktop PC replacement. Why?, you ask. Because I'm poor and can't afford a proper desktop computer. Anyway I got the idea for this instructable when I tried to print from a Raspberry Pi. After I finished typing a note using leafpad word editor, when I clicked print menu, my networked printers were not showing in the printer dialog box as shown in the screenshot. Therefore, I couldn't print. In this instructable, I will share the steps to solve this problem.

Scope

This instructable will show how to install and configure the necessary software to enable Raspberry Pi to print using a remote printer connected to a remote computer or networked printer.

This instructable will NOT show how to install and configure a Raspberry Pi to be a print server.

Audience

Anyone with the following conditions fulflled:

The Raspberry Pi is running on Raspbian OS

The Raspberry Pi is connected to the Local Area Network (LAN)

There is a networked printer or a networked computer that shares its printer in the (LAN)

STEP 1: Get the IP Address of the Remote Printer

The networked computer with the printer can either be a Windows or Linux machine. Each have a different method to find its IP address. Google to find ways to get the IP address.

STEP 2: Install the Necessary Software on Raspberry Pi to Enable Printing

On Raspberry Pi, open a terminal emulator.

$sudo apt-get update

Install cups client Do NOT install cups-server.

$sudo apt-get install cups-client

Edit the cups-client configuration

sudo vi /etc/cups/client.conf

Add:

ServerName XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX  ## XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX is your networked printer's IP sddress

Refer to the screenshot for comparison.

Save the file

STEP 3: Print

On the leafpad word editor, when I click print menu, now I can see my networked printers. Refer to screenshot.

Comments

[NeilRG]

I'm looking forward to trying this. I have been working out the concepts to build a Pi based portable pc/breadboard lab in a sleek Pelican hard shell case intended to hold a laptop. You might not have extra money now but it does seem your brain is working VERY well. Keep thinking and experimenting. Thank you for the post. Good luck going forward!

[Sylvander]

When I tried to vi the client.conf. file it kept saying "new directory" and when I ":wq" it said cannot write. Until I figured out to go to "/etc" directory, and "mkdir" cups, cd to cups, then vi the client.conf file, and voila! Success!

[Opechee]

I get a message saying “etc/cups/client.conf” (new directory). Where do I go from here?

[rmalsbury50]

i tried to add the servername but screwed up. now, when i try again, it says it can't because the file is locked permission denied. now what?
Bob

[GaryG173]

cf. https://www.iplocation.net/find-network-printer-ip