README - CUPS v2.2.7 - 2018-03-22
=================================

Looking for compile instructions?  Read the file `INSTALL.md` instead...


INTRODUCTION
------------


CUPS is a standards-based, open source printing system developed by Apple Inc.
for macOS® and other UNIX®-like operating systems.  CUPS uses the Internet
Printing Protocol ("IPP") and provides System V and Berkeley command-line
interfaces, a web interface, and a C API to manage printers and print jobs.  It
supports printing to both local (parallel, serial, USB) and networked printers,
and printers can be shared from one computer to another, even over the Internet!

Internally, CUPS uses PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") files to describe
printer capabilities and features and a wide variety of generic and device-
specific programs to convert and print many types of files.  Sample drivers are
included with CUPS to support many Dymo, EPSON, HP, Intellitech, OKIDATA, and
Zebra printers.  Many more drivers are available online and (in some cases) on
the driver CD-ROM that came with your printer.

CUPS is licensed under the GNU General Public License and GNU Library General
Public License versions 2.  See the file "LICENSE.txt" for more information.


READING THE DOCUMENTATION
-------------------------

Once you have installed the software you can access the documentation (and a
bunch of other stuff) online at <http://localhost:631/>.

If you're having trouble getting that far, the documentation is located under
the `doc/help` and `man` directories.

Please read the documentation before asking questions.


GETTING SUPPORT AND OTHER RESOURCES
-----------------------------------

If you have problems, *read the documentation first!*  We also provide two
mailing lists which are available at <https://lists.cups.org/mailman/listinfo>.

See the CUPS web site at <https://www.cups.org/> for other resources.


SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES USING YOUR WEB BROWSER
------------------------------------------------

CUPS includes a web-based administration tool that allows you to manage
printers, classes, and jobs on your server.  Open <http://localhost:631/admin/>
in your browser to access the printer administration tools:

*Do not* use the hostname for your machine - it will not work with the default
CUPS configuration.  To enable administration access on other addresses, check
the `Allow Remote Administration` box and click on the `Change Settings button.

You will be asked for the administration password (root or any other user in the
sys/system/root/admin/lpadmin group on your system) when performing any
administrative function.


SETTING UP PRINTER QUEUES FROM THE COMMAND-LINE
-----------------------------------------------

CUPS currently uses PPD (PostScript Printer Description) files that describe
printer capabilities and driver programs needed for each printer.  The
`everywhere` PPD is used for nearly all modern networks printers sold since
about 2009.  For example, the following command creates a print queue for a
printer at address 11.22.33.44:

    lpadmin -p printername -E -v ipp://11.22.33.44/ipp/print -m everywhere

CUPS also includes several sample PPD files you can use for "legacy" printers:

    Driver                         PPD Name
    -----------------------------  ------------------------------
    Dymo Label Printers            drv:///sample.drv/dymo.ppd
    Intellitech Intellibar         drv:///sample.drv/intelbar.ppd
    EPSON 9-pin Series             drv:///sample.drv/epson9.ppd
    EPSON 24-pin Series            drv:///sample.drv/epson24.ppd
    Generic PCL Laser Printer      drv:///sample.drv/generpcl.ppd
    Generic PostScript Printer     drv:///sample.drv/generic.ppd
    HP DeskJet Series              drv:///sample.drv/deskjet.ppd
    HP LaserJet Series             drv:///sample.drv/laserjet.ppd
    OKIDATA 9-Pin Series           drv:///sample.drv/okidata9.ppd
    OKIDATA 24-Pin Series          drv:///sample.drv/okidat24.ppd
    Zebra CPCL Label Printer       drv:///sample.drv/zebracpl.ppd
    Zebra EPL1 Label Printer       drv:///sample.drv/zebraep1.ppd
    Zebra EPL2 Label Printer       drv:///sample.drv/zebraep2.ppd
    Zebra ZPL Label Printer        drv:///sample.drv/zebra.ppd

You can run the `lpinfo -m` command to list all of the available drivers:

    lpinfo -m

Run the `lpinfo -v` command to list the available printers:

    lpinfo -v

Then use the correct URI to add the printer using the `lpadmin` command:

    lpadmin -p printername -E -v device-uri -m ppd-name

Current network printers typically use `ipp` or `ipps` URIS:

    lpadmin -p printername -E -v ipp://11.22.33.44/ipp/print -m everywhere
    lpadmin -p printername -E -v ipps://11.22.33.44/ipp/print -m everywhere

Older network printers typically use `socket` or `lpd` URIs:

    lpadmin -p printername -E -v socket://11.22.33.44 -m ppd-name
    lpadmin -p printername -E -v lpd://11.22.33.44/ -m ppd-name

The sample drivers provide basic printing capabilities, but generally do not
exercise the full potential of the printers or CUPS.  Other drivers provide
greater printing capabilities.


PRINTING FILES
--------------

CUPS provides both the System V `lp` and Berkeley `lpr` commands for printing:

    lp filename
    lpr filename

Both the `lp` and `lpr` commands support printing options for the driver:

    lp -o media=A4 -o resolution=600dpi filename
    lpr -o media=A4 -o resolution=600dpi filename

CUPS recognizes many types of images files as well as PDF, PostScript, and text
files, so you can print those files directly rather than through an application.

If you have an application that generates output specifically for your printer
then you need to use the `-oraw` or `-l` options:

    lp -o raw filename
    lpr -l filename

This will prevent the filters from misinterpreting your print file.


LEGAL STUFF
-----------

CUPS is copyright © 2007-2018 by Apple Inc.  CUPS and the CUPS logo are
trademarks of Apple Inc.

The MD5 Digest code is Copyright 1999 Aladdin Enterprises.

CUPS is provided under the terms of version 2 of the GNU General Public License
and GNU Library General Public License. This program is distributed in the hope
that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
`doc/help/license.html` or `LICENSE.txt` files for more information.
