How do I print from an iPad to a network attached printer on my home wifi network

Question

Level 1

11 points

How do I print from an iPad to a network attached printer on my home wifi network

I am trying to print documents (ie pdf) from my ipad to a printer that is attached to my network via ethernet cable. The printer is NOT an AirPrint type printer but I can print via wifi from my laptop to it without having to have my mac desktop turned on. Everything I have read about the apps in the app store all say I can print to any printer on my network "via a mac or PC". How do I print directly to the printer since the ipad and the printer are on the same network...

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 11:38 AM

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Answer 1

Tgara

Level 4

3,607 points

Apr 22, 2012 12:53 PM in response to louiewu

You'll have to use an app of some kind. I can tell you that the HP Home & Biz app that I use on my iPad recognizes my two AirPrint printers, plus another non-AirPrint printer that is on my wifi network via an Airport Express. This app appears to recognize all printers on a wifi network, whether they be AirPrint or not, which is I think what you are looking for.

Check to see if your printer manufacturer makes an app for the iPad.

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Answer 2

ACdaBOSS

Level 1

8 points

Apr 22, 2012 1:27 PM in response to louiewu

Use a app called printdirect its free to try

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Answer 3

louiewu Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:39 PM in response to Tgara

Tgara;

I realize I can use HP home for HP printers but, unfortunately, neither of my printers are HP... The printers I have are both Brother printers. One is a Brother HL-5150D laser and the other is a Brother ESPOffice 6150 inkjet all-in-one.

ACdaBOSS;

That particular app requires a Mac or PC to print to anything other then an AirPrint printer via the network.

Thanks for the responses though.....

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Answer 4

Apr 24, 2012 2:07 PM in response to louiewu

If you're still trying to find an app to print with, the printing for iPhone/iPad app has a free demo to make sure your printer is compatible, and it can print directly to wired printers, I tested the demo on 2 printers I have wired to the network.

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Answer 5

louiewu Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 24, 2012 6:20 PM in response to TheGreatGolem

The demo worked with my brother laser just fine. Thx,

Now i was wrong on my inkjet it is a KODAK and not the brother i stated earlier. The demo will not print to it whether it is connected via ethernet or wi-fi. Since that is my only color printer i can not do pic or anything with color.

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Answer 6

hawks296

Level 1

0 points

May 28, 2012 7:14 AM in response to louiewu

There are essentially two ways. Either via an app or a a utility. I prefer printing natively from my iPad without havng to open up a separate app. The best one that I have found is FingerPrint by http://www.collobos.com It enables most any printer to be AirPrint compatible and you can print natively. It also allows virtual printer configuration which is awesome.

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Answer 7

louiewu Author

Level 1

11 points

May 28, 2012 10:07 AM in response to hawks296

Thx for the suggestion, but it defeats the purpose by having to have my desktop computer running. I am looking for an app or hardware device that will allow me to print directly from my Ipad to my printers without having to turn on a computer to do it.

I have tried the Lantronix xprint server and while it works with my older Brother Laser it does not work with my newer Kodak ESP Office 6150 (and it doesn't look like they are even interested in attempting to write support for it into their printer list)

I have tried every app in the app store and none of them do the job WITHOUT having to have a computer running on the network.

Let me re-state the problem...

I want to print from either my Iphone 4 or my original version Ipad to my network attached printers without having to have a computer running on the network to do it. I have a Brother HL-5150D laser printer hooked to my apple airport extreme's usb port and a Kodak ESP Office 6150 connected to the network via WiFi. How can I do this.

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