Build an Air Print server
Add AirPrint support to any USB or network printer in your home.
Anyone who’s needed to print a document from their iPad or iPhone will know the value of AirPrint. Apple introduced it back in 2010, and it’s steadily grown in popularity – over a thousand printers now ship with built-in AirPrint support (see bit.ly/mfairprint for a list). But don’t despair if your trusty printer isn’t supported – you can hook it up to an AirPrint-enabled print server. You could splash out up to $99 on something like StarTech’s Wireless-N USB AirPrint Server, but why spend all that money when there’s a satisfying do-it-yourself project awaiting, and a couple of bucks to be saved?
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
This project uses the flexible Raspberry Pi Zero. You’ll need four products, which will cost around $60 before postage: the Pi Zero with adaptors; a Broadcom USB Hub and Wi-Fi adaptor; an official power adaptor; and a 8GB NOOBS card. The Pi Zero is often out of stock, so sign up for email notifications to secure one when it’s next available, if necessary.
You can save money by reusing an existing MicroSD card, which must be 8GB or larger, and you’ll also need an SD card adaptor or USB MicroSD card reader depending on whether or not your Mac has an SD card slot. Follow the instructions at bit.ly/startnoobs to download NOOBS on to it.
You’ll need access to a monitor with an HDMI input, and a USB keyboard and mouse to install and configure Raspbian. The big issue is that the USB hub only has two ports – this isn’t a problem if your printer connects directly to the network (wirelessly or using Ethernet), but if it’s a USB model you’ll need to combine the mouse and keyboard on a single port. Apple’s wired keyboards have two built-in USB ports, allowing you to connect the mouse through that. Or, consider buying a budget wireless keyboard and mouse set. Just make sure they share a single USB receiver.
BASIC INSTALLATION
Start by inserting the NOOBS card into your Pi Zero, then connect the Broadcom adaptor to the Pi using the USB converter cable. Connect the keyboard to one USB port on the adaptor, plug the mouse into the keyboard, and your USB printer on the other port. Switch on the printer and monitor, then plug in the power –
You can add Air Print to your USB printer using a Raspberry Pi
there’s no switch so, if all is well, the Pi should start up immediately.
You’ll see a screen with just one entry: Raspbian. Select that, then click the Install button followed by Yes, and wait for the files to be copied. This is a lengthy process, so be patient – while you wait, verify the language and keyboard settings are correct at the bottom of the screen. Once complete, click OK to restart the Pi Zero in Raspbian.
You’ll see a series of scrolling messages, and after about a minute the screen will go blank – again, be patient, and the Raspbian desktop should eventually appear (future startups are much quicker). Test both the keyboard and mouse are working, then click the network icon in the top-right corner to connect to your local Wi-Fi network.
Next, it’s time to get your hands dirty using Raspbian’s Terminal. Click the shortcut to it (the black monitor) in the menu bar. First, if your printer is connected using USB, enter lsusb. (Skip this if you’re planning to connect to a network printer.) This lists all the USB-connected devices on your Pi, among which you should see your printer’s manufacturer, confirming it’s connected.
Enter sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade to ensure
installed packages are up to date, then the following command to install the Samba sharing components and the CUPS printing system: sudo apt-get install samba && sudo apt-get
install cups. Follow any prompts and, after both packages have been installed, enter this command, which lets you set up and manage your printer: sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin pi.
Printer setup is the trickiest part of the process, depending on whether it’s supported and what drivers are available for it, but at least CUPS is configured through your web browser, providing you with a more user-