How to install USB and Network Printers on Ubuntu 18.04


Today we are looking at how to install USB and Network printers on Ubuntu 18.04.

I was a sysadmin for about 5 years and 80% of the systems I managed ran Ubuntu.  This range from the secretary to servers and I used this method to install printers.  There are a few exceptions and you will find links below.  Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of printers anymore around me as we moved to a different city, but I can still assist you, so if you have a problem please write me and I will be happy to help you!

Ubuntu uses Cups as their printer tool, which is the same tool which macOS use.  So as seen in the video a person goes to the system settings/devices/printers and then click on additional printer settings and then click on add to install printers.  USB printers should appear in the list of printers and printing options, and a person can just click on your printer and click forward and Ubuntu should find all the drivers for you and lead you through the process as seen in the video.

For a network printer, the process is similar than a USB printer but slightly different as the printer won't just appear on the list as a USB printer.  A person needs to click on the option called Network Printer and it will reveal all the network printers on your network which it can find and then the process is the same than USB printers.

However, there are exceptions but as I wrote, in the beginning, there might just be additional steps needed.

Most printers works on Ubuntu and the list is increasing and if your printer isn't on the list you can try out a printer which drivers are available and try them out, they might just work.

Also, Epson has excellent support for Linux but most of the time a person will need to download drivers for that printer model from their website, and they will also supply you with instructions.  I attached a link below.

Brother has a whole category about adding printers and scanners on Linux if your printer is not installed out of the box.  I attached a link below.

For Samsung printers, there is a universal driver package to install and then you can add your Samsung printers with it. I also attached a link below.


Links:
Epson Print Drivers: http://download.ebz.epson.net/dsc/search/01/search/?OSC=LX

Brother Print Drivers: https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/linux/en/index.html?c=us_ot&lang=en&comple=on&redirect=on

Samsung Universal Driver App: http://www.beginninglinux.com/home/printing-and-scanning/installing-samsung-unified-linux-driver-for-printers-and-scanners

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