---
publish: true
permalink: /os/printing
title: Printing
created: 2026-02-05T08:52:25.911-07:00
modified: 2026-02-05T12:18:10.587-07:00
tags:
  - printing
  - cups
cssclasses: ""
---

CUPS printing setup for Arch Linux.

## Installation

```bash
sudo pacman -S cups cups-pdf
```

## Enable Services

```bash
sudo systemctl enable --now cups
sudo systemctl enable --now avahi-daemon
```

Avahi enables automatic network printer discovery.

## Configuration

### Web interface

Access CUPS admin at: http://localhost:631

### Add printer via CLI

```bash
# List available printers
lpinfo -v

# Add a printer
lpadmin -p PrinterName -E -v "uri" -m "driver.ppd"

# Set default printer
lpoptions -d PrinterName
```

### Network printers (auto-discovery)

With Avahi running, network printers should appear automatically. If not:

```bash
# Install nss-mdns for .local hostname resolution
sudo pacman -S nss-mdns

# Edit /etc/nsswitch.conf, add mdns_minimal before resolve:
hosts: mymachines mdns_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] resolve [!UNAVAIL=return] files myhostname dns
```

## Print to PDF

The `cups-pdf` package creates a virtual PDF printer:

```bash
# Print to PDF (outputs to ~/PDF/)
lp -d cups-pdf document.txt
```

## Useful Commands

```bash
lpstat -p              # List printers
lpstat -t              # Full status
lp -d PrinterName file # Print file
cancel <job-id>        # Cancel print job
lprm <job-id>          # Remove print job
```

## Troubleshooting

```bash
# Check CUPS status
systemctl status cups

# View logs
journalctl -u cups -f

# Restart CUPS
sudo systemctl restart cups
```

## Resources

- Arch Wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/CUPS