ARCHIVED: In Mac OS, how do I print to a printer over TCP/IP (the Internet)?

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Note: If you are using Mac OS X, see Print over TCP/IP (the internet) in macOS

With the advent of version 8.5.1 of the LaserWriter driver, it became possible to send print jobs to printers that understand the LPR protocol. Unlike traditional printers in Mac OS, to which you connect via your printer port or over AppleTalk, LPR printers are connected to the Internet and communicate via TCP/IP. To use the Desktop Printer utility to set up a Desktop Printer icon for a specific LPR printer:

  1. Open the Desktop Printer utility. In the New dialog box that pops up, double-click Printer (LPR).
  2. A printer configuration window should open (probably named Untitled 1). Beneath "PostScript Printer Description", click Change....
  3. A Select box will open with a list of printer descriptions to choose from. Double-click the description that fits your TCP/IP printer model.
  4. Back in the printer configuration window, under "Internet Printer", click Change....
  5. In the "Printer Address:" field of the Internet Printer window, enter the IP number of the Internet printer and click OK.
  6. Quit the Desktop Printer utility, and when prompted, save the file.

You should now be able to send print jobs to the Internet printer.

Note: If you have an older version of the LaserWriter driver, as long as you are running Mac OS 7.5 or later, you may update to a version that supports LPR. Search for laserwriter update at the Apple Downloads web page.

This is document ahcb in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 12:48:31.