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Arch Linux Install Network Printer

Installation and Configuration

These instructions will provided the ability to install network printer(s) and as well install a virtual PDF printer.

Tip

By default PDF files are stored in "/var/spool/cups-pdf/$USER". The location can be changed in "/etc/cups/cups-pdf.conf".

  1. Install packages. 

    # pacman -Sy cups cups-pdf

    Tip

    You may require a driver package to be installed in order to add a printer (e.g. samsung-printers).

    Note

    Remove "cups-pdf" if a virtual PDF printer is not desired.

  2. Enable services. 

    # systemctl enable org.cups.cupsd.service cups-browsed.service

  3. Start services. 
    # systemctl start org.cups.cupsd.service cups-browsed.service
  4. Verify the following user groups are set. 
    # nano /etc/cups/cups-files.conf

    SystemGroup sys root wheel
  5. Restart service if modification occured previously. 
    # systemctl restart org.cups.cupsd.service
  6. Associate a user to the "sys" group by replacing "username" below. 
    # gpasswd -a username sys

Add A Printer Using CUPS Web Interface

  1. Open "Manage Printing" or browse to http://localhost:631/.
  2. Click on “Administration” at the top of the web page.
  3. Click on “Add Printers”.
  4. Select the desired printer under "Discovered Network Printers" and click the "Continue" button.
  5. Set the "Name", "Description" and "Location" and then clock on the "Continue" button.
  6. Select the "Model" of printer and click the "Add Printer" button.
  7. Select default options and click the "Set Default Options" button.

Add A Printer Using Printer Settings

This utilizes "Printer Settings" (system-config-printer package) a native GUI application.

  1. Open "Printer Settings".
  2. Click on the "Unlock" button.
  3. Click on the "Add" button.
  4. Select the desired printer and click the "Forward" button.
  5. Set the desired "Printer Name", "Description" and "Location".
  6. Click the "Apply" button.
Last update: August 9, 2020