Printing

SliTaz prints with CUPS (Common Unix Printing System). It manages printers connected to the computer (USB) or to the network, and every application prints through it. This page follows the Printing and scanning section of the SliTaz 5.1 handbook.

As root, install CUPS with the drivers of your printer, then enable the service so that it also starts at boot:

# spk-add cups cups-filters gutenprint
# trame service enable cupsd

The service starts at once. To check or restart it by hand:

# /etc/init.d/cupsd restart

Pick the package matching your printer:

• gutenprint and foomatic-db (with foomatic-db-engine and foomatic-filters): most printers. foomatic-db-nonfree adds non-free PPD files.
• hplip: HP printers.
• cnijfilter2: Canon inkjet printers.
• ufr2: Canon laser printers (extra drivers).
• cups-pdf: a virtual printer that “prints” to a PDF file.

Example for an HP printer:

# spk-add hplip

Search the printer model on openprinting.org to see which driver it needs.

Open the CUPS web interface in a browser at http://localhost:631/, or use Manage Printing in the Dash. Go to Administration > Add Printer, choose your printer in the list, then its driver (PPD). CUPS asks for an administrator login: use root and its password.

For a network printer that has no detected entry, choose AppSocket/HP JetDirect and give its address, for example:

socket://192.168.2.1:9100

For a USB printer, plug it in and power it on: it appears in the list of local printers. lsusb (package usbutils) shows whether the system sees it.

If a printer does not work after the setup, restart the service with /etc/init.d/cupsd restart. The CUPS log is /var/log/cups/error_log.

For a scanner, install sane-backends and the xsane application:

# spk-add sane-backends xsane

This is all the 5.1 handbook says about scanning; if your scanner is not detected, ask on the forum.

• Handbook: Printing and scanning
• Handbook: Packages