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How do I set up a PostScript print queue to share a PCL laser printer and add PS fonts?

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1 answer
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I would like to take a $100 PCL-compatible laser printer and hook it to my home network either through Wi-Fi or by connecting it directly to a Linux server by USB. Instead of using the manufacturer-provided drivers, though, I want to be able to print PostScript documents directly. I imagine I will want to set up a print queue, GhostScript, and an IP address and port at which I can point other machines on the network. Also, I have a stack of CDs with PostScript fonts on them, and I would like to make these available to any machine that wants to print to the networked printer. I'm guessing this is done by copying the fonts somewhere where GhostScript can find them. Basically, I want to make the cheap printer look to other machines on the network like an old-school expensive PostScript-capable networked laser with lots of built-in fonts, like one of the high-end LaserWriters that Apple used to sell. In the old days with dot matrix printers and HP LaserJet printers that only had a parallel interface this sort of thing was common, but it seems like it's actually more obscure now that most printers are network-capable out of the box and are configured through a GUI. In particular I think I have an idea how I would have done the GhostScript setup with LPD by defining filters, but now all Linux distros seem to have CUPS installed out of the box.
Asked by dodgethesteamroller (176 rep)
Feb 28, 2014, 02:39 AM
Last activity: Jul 3, 2020, 01:05 AM