Can't print through printer connected to Airport Express

Hi all,

Losing my hair trying to setup an airport express to allow printing over wifi from my iphone 5 & iPad which are both running the most up to date iOS (phone 6.0.2 & iPad 6.0.1).

I recently purchased the latest model airport express (model A1392) and have been trying to set it up through my laptop running windows 8 and my iphone.

The Canon mp280 printer I have plugged into the usb port of the express does not have an ethernet port hence me attempting to use the express. I currently also use the express for its wifi capabilities and have disabled wifi on my modem/router Billion BiPAC 5200G RC.

To be able to even see the printer on the network I had to run an ethernet cable directly into the express instead of through my router but still could not print.

I have read various things on this site but I don't quite get a straight answer.

Does the printer now need to have "AirPrint" software on it for it to be used wirelessly by apple products with iOS6+ and if so does it still require the airport express? Makes me a little angry if yes but I'm thinking this is going to be the answer. I don't want to have to use third party software to fix this.

I could always use the express as a network extender elsewhere in the house if this is the case which would make it not an entire waste of money....

Any help would be appreciated 🙂