Does my Printer NEED Postscript to print from my Mac?

There is a Generic PCL Laser printer driver included with 10.6. If the Ricoh supports PCL, and there is every likelihood it does, then you can use this driver. To create a printer queue, you should be able to select IP > HP Jetdirect-Socket (which is the same as RAW Port 9100 that Windows will be using). You then enter the IP address of the Ricoh and in the Print Using menu select Generic PCL Laser.

Note that this driver will only print in B&W. Judging by the Ricoh's model name, this is a color copier so if you want to print in color, you can use the pxlmono package available via this link. Read the information on this page carefully as you need all three packages shown.

Pahu

Open up the printer in system preferences, click on the + sign at the bottom of the left section. Hopefully the printer shows up in that window. If it's there click on it, move down to Print Using:

Usually it will try and pick the right driver automatically, if it does you're done. If not click on that popup window and choose Select Printer Software. This will open all the printer drivers installed. There are 2 named Ricoh MP 2550, though not exactly like yours one of them might work.

Or, instead of Select Printer Software in the same popup window select Generic Postscript Printer and see if that works. I used that one for quite a while in Quark printing to an Epson Postscript printer.

If none of that works visit the Ricoh web site and see if they have a driver to download.

The printer would work better with Mac OS X if the PostScript module was installed. It *does not need* the PostScript module, however.

Your printer can use the PCL PXL drivers found at _ http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/openprinting/macosx/pxlmon o_. You will need to install three packages. Install Ghostscript first, then Foomatic-RIP followed by the pxlmono package. You can then set up your printer through Print & Fax preference pane and all should be well.

The PPD for your printer included in the pxlmono package is supplied by Ricoh, so it will have all the finishing options etc. available on your printer.

Matt

Message was edited by: Matt Broughton

Message was edited by: Matt Broughton

It looks like the only Mac driver for that printer is PostScript, not PCL, so that may be true.

Thanks very much. I've been researching this and it's the first helpful post I've found!

Solved!
Thanks,
Marie