[ipad] Airprint to Windows Printers

[gtg93]

Does anyone have anything in place to allow their users to print from their iPads to their normal network printers shared from the server?

 

I've had a user ask if this is possible, and looking about I've found various solutions for this, although they either seem to be old posts that worked with earlier versions of iOS, or the sites look a bit dodgy (maybe I'm too cynical).

 

Preferably looking for a free solution, or at least one that offers a free trial, so we can test it out first - but if anyone can recommend a solution that'd be great!

 

Cheers

Edited September 11, 2015 by gtg93

[MatthewL]

Do you have any print management software running already?

 

Also are any of your printers actually air print compatible without any software?

[gtg93]

No and no

 

From what I've read its only really achievable with a mac, but it'd be cheaper to buy am airprint enabled printer I think.

[DalekSec]

We use papercut, simple enough to set up. Do need at least 1 mac to act as the connection between the ipad and the windows printers

[MatthewL]

It maybe cheaper to get a printer than purchase software. There are some network print server boxes that do make them AirPrint so worth a look at first.

 

There is software like Presto, which I find to be very unreliable. PaperCut would work but its a little overkill if you just want to print from a Mac. If you have a Mac that can print to a network printer you can share this out and it will broadcast it to the iPad's as an option.

[gtg93]

Thanks everyone,

 

I think an AirPrint printer is going to be the easiest and best way forward.

[tmoon-mint]

Not sure what printers you are using, but check that there isn't a firmware upgrade available to add AirPrint support. I just recently updated some HP printers and it added AirPrint support.

[gtg93]

Not sure what printers you are using, but check that there isn't a firmware upgrade available to add AirPrint support. I just recently updated some HP printers and it added AirPrint support.

 

Old cruddy photocopiers

[Bev]

I just bought an Air Print printer, that works great, but if they send any photos to print they always print out A4 which uses a lot of ink, and they do like to send lots of photos to print.

 

I just wish I could get it to work with the Chromebooks, it's supposed to be GooglePrint enabled but that hasn't worked et

[bitznpcz]

If you have Ricoh photocopiers, there's an App that lets you print... bit clunky, but works OK

[qcomer]

I would setup Presto and just share out your current Papercut printers. This is going to be the easiest and cleanest method for deployment. You also wont need to install any additional servers to manage so it may reduce your overhead.

[XiJ]

+1 for presto. Our primaries run this now and it's easy to setup.

 

Only had one problem on an earlier version that wouldn't work well with the LA authenticated proxy and presto support went above and beyond. Very impressed.

[Griff]

We use Everyone print (not a phrase I particularly like) anyway its OK, authenticates with AD sometimes you have to put your username/password in about 5 times before it actually works..or type the password really slow..

[RobbieChalk]

The Kyocera P6030CDN or P6035CDN supports air printing out of the box.

[gtg93]

Looks like we're just going with the "our hardware doesn't support it so tough luck approach" Thanks for the suggestions though

[Griff]

Looks like we're just going with the "our hardware doesn't support it so tough luck approach" Thanks for the suggestions though

 

Probably a good idea - printers are the work of the devil anyway

[steewy]

This is what we use:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/printer-pro-print-documents/id393313223?mt=8

Keep in mind all printers aren't compatible ! Also this isn't like normal printing, it means you can't do share print, you need to use the app. I got the app with 200 licences last year.

[kennysarmy]

Papercut and Presto here - works well....