nCity Printer Settings

Printer drivers may be built-in to your OS:

Don't be surprised if you plug in and power-up a brand new printer, then discover your Operating System knows all about it. If that's the case, all you need to do is tell your OS to make it the default printer (if it isn't selected already).

Open System Preferences, then click the "Print and FAX" icon within the System Prefs window. With Printer pane open, click "Set Up Printer" button. If your printer appears in the resulting Printer List and it's set to be the default printer, you're good to go. Close System Prefs and you're done. If not, or it's not responding, read on.....

System prefs, Apple menu + icon in the Dock.
If a print driver installation is required:: Printer drivers have minimum System requirements, spelled out on printer's box and in its manual. Your Operating System version must be equal to or newer than printer's minimum requirements.
: Assuming we have a match, the next question is: How current is the driver included with your printer? It's entirely possible that a new driver version is posted on manufacturer's web site and available for download, newer than the one that shipped with your printer. I hardly ever mess with installation CDs anymore; going right to the source guarantees the most current version is installed without having to update an older installation.

The download and install two-step:

This is one of the services we provide to our clients, downloading and burning installation disks, and the process isn't terribly difficult. Sometimes, tho, finding the proper file on manufacturer's web site can be the hardest part. Be prepared to hunt for it; go to <brandname.com> and look for a support link - or - printer type -> model number -> downloads. Then be sure to pick the driver appropriate to your machine and Operating System version.

Read any specs, notes or info provided online before downloading. When you're sure you have the correct file in your sights, follow download steps. (Do this one time and one time ONLY; when download has completed, you'll find an installer file on your desktop; no need to download the file again.)

The next step is installation (see below).

Downloaded file on desktop.

This icon (named "Phlink") is a complete, compressed download; when opened, it produces a "disk image" which opens as a folder would (see below).

(In case you were wondering: Phlink is a telephone utility unrelated to printing. This download actually contained the Phlink installer, manual, and related Phlink files from Ovolab.): Printer software produce various types of print dialog boxes with differing layouts and options presented (a good reason to pick one brand over another). They also provide page setup options, and both of these dialogs will appear when you choose "Print" from an application's File menu.

Locating the proper device driver:: First, a word about navigating unfamiliar web sites. I've found support sites usually operate along one of two lines: Either they start with platform (OS) and lead you to a group of downloads appropriate to your system; then it's up to you to select the file you require. Or, they navigate through their product line, and you have to drill down through printer types (laser or inkjet, with scanner/FAX/copier or without), then model subcategories, until you arrive at model numbers.
: Either way, with your Operating System version and printer make/model info in hand, finding and downloading the proper driver is the first step. These steps apply to downloading drivers (sometimes called firmware) for other types of devices as well.

Special purpose and multiple print drivers:: Some manufacturers knock themselves out trying to satisfy their most demanding customers by providing specialized drivers with technical qualities and complications you might not need or want. It's not unusual to be faced with three or more different drivers or packages for the same OS and printer. These specialized drivers may be designed for critical color-match applications, or they may be designed for use with a specific program; they might be for printing to special substrates, or an addition created to solve some specific problem. It might be tempting to download everything they have that applies to your machine, but think twice before you complicate things needlessly.

Launching installer and installing files:

Launch the new installer file on your desktop, then read and follow installation instructions; there will be a license agreement, and you may be asked to pick a destination - or not. If you see a "ReadMe" file included with the download, by all means read it before installing (its contents might also appear within installation process).

When installation is finished, all necessary files should be in place. You might consider saving the compressed download file and perhaps burning it to a disk for backup; I've always saved the compressed copies of downloads so I don't have to hunt 'em up again if needed.

Eject or unmount installer's disk image (see below), and do something with the original download file (save or delete).

Open your System Prefs -> Print and FAX pane, set the new printer to default (if it isn't already), apply the change, and you're ready to print.

Top icon is a Disk Image on Desktop.

Bottom icon is a (compressed) download.

These make great backup files.....

Unmounting the Disk Image (volume):

A Disk Image is a virtual volume which - like any other volume - contains multiple folders and files. Since we're done with it, it can be removed from your desktop by unmounting or ejecting it, just as you would any other volume. Select it (one click) and choose Eject from your menus, drag its icon from desktop to the trash, or click the eject button next to (removable) volumes in the Finder, as illustrated here.

Print and Fax icon in System Preferences window.

Setting printer to default:

Open System Preferences and click the "Printer ans FAX" icon (right) to open Printer preferences pane. Make sure the Printer tab is selected (in blue, below). You'll see a button marked "Set Up Printers..." Clicking this button produces the Printer List (below, right).

Print and Fax icon in System Preferences window.

: The Printer List should contain name of your printer (usually identified by brand and model number). In order to set this printer to be the default printer, click its name in the list; it will hilite and the "Make Default" button just above it will become active and available. Click "Make Default."
: Close the Printer List, save changes and quit System Preferences. From now on, the default printer will appear whenever you choose "Print" from any application's File menu.

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