i have a epson sx510w and i do not think it is air print compatible, can i therefore not print from my ipad?

If it is not an AirPrint - enabled printer you can use another device to act as a print server. That can be a Mac running the donation-supported handyPrint or a commercial product such as Printopia ($19.95 with free trial) The Mac must be "on" but may be asleep for them to work. Equivalent PC options may exist: look for something called FingerPrint.

You can also buy this standalone print server:

http://www.lantronix.com/it-management/xprintserver/xprintserver.html

These options enable you to use any printer available to your network, even older ones that may predate AirPrint by decades.

iOS AirPrint Printers
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356

How to Print from Your iPad: Summary of Printer and Printing Options

http://ipadacademy.com/2012/03/how-to-print-from-your-ipad-summary-of-printer-an d-printing-options

Print from iPad / iPhone without AirPrint

http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/print-from-ipad-iphone-without-airprint/

How to Enable AirPrint on a Mac and Use Any Printer

http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/how-to-use-airprint-with-any-printer/

iPad Power: How to Print

http://www.macworld.com/article/1160312/ipad_printing.html

Check out these print apps for the iPad.

Print Utility for iPad ($3.99) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/print-utility-for-ipad/id422858586?mt=8

Print Agent Pro for iPad ($5.99) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/print-agent-pro-for-ipad/id421782942?mt=8 Print Agent Pro can print to many non-AirPrint and non-wireless printers on your network, even if they are only connected to a Mac or PC via USB.

FingerPrint turns any printer into an AirPrint printer

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57368414-233/fingerprint-turns-any-printer- into-an-airprint-printer/

 Cheers, Tom 😉