printing in Linux can be a pain

[Ihamed]

Hello all together,

My printer: HP Envy 5544 (ink).
https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-envy-5 ... ter-color/
It is a colour printer, but I only print greyscale with it.
After installing HPLIP, the printer seems to work at first glance.

But after using it a few times, I noticed the following:

Anoyance 1:
Double-sided printing in duplex mode: The printer immediately pulls the sheet back in without waiting. This causes the page to smear. (In Windows, the printer pauses after printing the first page. The length of the pause in Windows depends on how much ink was used for the first page. If a lot of ink was used, the pause is longer). (I have already asked in the HPLIP forum whether it would not be possible to extend the waiting time. For example, that the waiting time is always 6 seconds. But unfortunately I didn't get a single answer).


Of course, I have now looked for a workaround.

Workaround a:
I could use special paper.
-> But that doesn't solve the annoyance, it only postpones it.
Now the annoyance is, that I have to pay much more for paper in Linux than in Windows.

Workaround b:
I could first print all odd pages in reverse in "single mode". Afterwards, insert the sheets manually back into the tray and then print the even pages in "single mode". The odd pages have to be printed in reverse order. To make this possible in every programme, I duplicate my printer. Then I change the default settings of the duplicated printer so that it prints in "reverse mode".
-> But even this does not solve the problem, but brings another annoyance to light: When I want to print pages 4-6, some programmes interpret page 4 as "even", because the number four is even. Other programmes, however, interpret page 4 as "odd" because it is the first page to be printed and "1" is "odd".
Now the annoyance is, that I have to make a list of how each programme behaves, so that the pages I want to print are actually printed. This is not user-friendly.

Workaround c:
My printouts are too intense (too black) anyway. So I could print in "duplex mode" but set the brightness brighter so that the print doesn't smear.
-> The idea is good, but brings another annoyance to light: I can change the "brightness" in the HPLIP printer settings. I can also change "brightness" in the Xfce printer settings. But this setting behaves like a dummy and has no effect on the printout. (Maybe this has something to do with the fact that "brightness" is not even made available in Windows. But there it is not necessary because the printout does not smear).
So now the annoyance is, that I am offered the "brightness" setting, but it doesn't work.



Annoyance 2:
When I print out pictures, I notice that the pictures are much too dark. I have read in a forum that this can be corrected with the "Gamma" setting. I find the "Gamma" setting in the HPLIP printer settings and the Xfce printer settings. But it's the same matter like "brightness", changing this setting has no effect on the printout and behaves like a dummy.


Workaround d:
Buy another printer.
-> But this does not solve the annoyance, it only shifts it.
Now the annoyance would be, that I have to spend extra money for printing in Linux.


So that's my experience with "printing under Linux".

Not sure, if there is a real solution.
Would appreciate some feedback, ideas, help.
If you need more data, please let me know.

Thank you.

[arochester]

While HP is touted as being the best printer manufacturer for Linux, it is not perfect. There are two HP Envys listed as "paperweight" (i.e. they do not work) on openprinting https://www.openprinting.org/printers/manufacturer/HP

In the HP documents list the minimum system requirements for Linux. Have you checked these out? https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04730912 >System Requirements> Linux

Have you tried communicating with HP Customer Support? https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

Where did you download HPLIP from? Repository or HP? There can be differences.

There seem to be different page speeds for different printing e.g. draft. b&W, color. Are you using a specific setting?

[FreewheelinFrank]

Your printer seems to be in the AirPrint database: that might be the answer.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311

Search driverless printing & debian.

Edit: dashed off an answer without really reading the question, sorry.

According to this link

https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imag ... ease_notes

Support for "dry time" setting was added way back in Hplip 2.8.5, so any current version of Debian should support it.

"Added DryTime key to allow users to set additional dry time when autoduplex is selected"

Even before then (2013) it doesn't seem to have been a problem because [dry time] "is now supported in most of the HP printer front pannel."

https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/230757

[Bulkley]

Ihamed, you mentioned Windows. Is there a nearby Windows machine? Many years ago I had Linux printing problems but there was a nearby Windows machine so I networked (shared) the Windows printing. That is probably not what you want but if it works . . .

[Ihamed]

Many thanks to all. I will go through the various steps.

[Ihamed]

In the HP documents list the minimum system requirements for Linux. Have you checked these out? https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04730912 >System Requirements> Linux

Yes >System Requirements> are fulfilled.

Have you tried communicating with HP Customer Support? https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

I called HP support. Answer: We do not provide support for printing problems with Linux.
I have asked online in HP community. -> No answer.
I have asked in HPLIP forum. -> No answer.

There seem to be different page speeds for different printing e.g. draft. b&W, color. Are you using a specific setting?

My printer has ink cartridges with integrated print heads. It has one black ink cartridge and one colour ink cartridge. So this printer supports printing with only the black ink cartridge in it. As I only print white-gry-black, I have only the black ink cartridge in it.
I always print in draft mode and "normal paper".



@FreewheelinFrank

Quote from one of your links: "Even before then (2013) it doesn't seem to have been a problem because [dry time] "is now supported in most of the HP printer front pannel.""

Unfortunately my ENVY 5544, bought about 2019/2020, has no support for dry time via display on the printer itself. It has just not such a menu or setting there.

Thank you for your links. Thanks your links I found this sub-link:
https://answers.launchpad.net/hplip/+question/155315

Here in post #7 is a workaround, how to make a patch, to set a drying time once manually.
With some kind help, I was able to get a patched HPLIP version with

Code: Select all

     if (m_pJA->e_duplex_mode != DUPLEXMODE_NONE) {
         addToHeader((const BYTE *) EnableDuplex, sizeof(EnableDuplex));
+ addToHeader((const BYTE *) ExtraDryTime, sizeof(ExtraDryTime));
+ *cur_pcl_buffer_ptr++ = (BYTE) 10; //0xF6 is 2's complement of -10. You can use any value from (-10 to -1) to reduce the dry time.
         speed_mech_enabled = false;
     }


So my expectation was, that now the dry time will always be 10 seconds. But it is still 2 seconds.
No success. The workaround is useless. What a pity.


So I am at the same point again now.




edit:
What is the problem?
-Duplex-mode: Dry-time is too short
-changing "brightness/gamma" in printing settings has no effect
(This is guilty with or without patch. There is no difference.)

Your printer seems to be in the AirPrint database: that might be the answer.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311
Search driverless printing & debian.

Do you think, there is a change to get control over "brightness/gamma" and/or "dry-time" with this driverless printing idea?

[FreewheelinFrank]

I wouldn't be applying any patches from 2011, to be honest.

If HP say the function is supported In HPLIP but it doesn't work, then it's probably an HP issue not a Debian/ Linux issue.

You should probably take it up with HP support.

AirPrint would be another option.

[Ihamed]

AirPrint would be another option.

This is a quote from here:
https://wiki.debian.org/SystemPrinting

This installation provides a functional printing system that is entirely suitable for use with a modern printer without any further software installation. Legacy printers would require a driver installation.

cups-browsed is installed as a recommended package.

Modern USB and ethernet and wireless connected printers on Debian 11 should be detected and auto-setup by cups-browsed.

Debian 10 will handle a USB connected printer only with the help of a driver.

Modern IPP printers are printers capable of driverless printing; that is, free or non-free vendor packages or plugins are not required.

Alternatively, should it be thought necessary or desirable, a user may manually install a print queue (remote or local) with lpadmin, the web interface of CUPS or system-config-printer. Successful printing is usually ensured if a modern printer is set up as a driverless printer or a legacy printer is supported by one of the installed packages.

I have Debian 10 and I use my printer via USB-connection.
Does this mean, I can not print driver less with my AirPrint-printer?

[brian_p]

I have Debian 10 and I use my printer via USB-connection.
Does this mean, I can not print driver less with my AirPrint-printer?

Not at all! Go to

https://github.com/alexpevzner/sane-airscan (Project page)

https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/pzz/Debian_10/ (Debian packages)

and download ipp-usb. Get sane-airscan while you are there.

[brian_p]

Get sane-airscan while you are there.

Forgot: sane-airscan is in buster-backports.

[brian_p]

Debian 10 will handle a USB connected printer only with the help of a driver.

This statement is in the context of printing and

Code: Select all

apt install cups

on Debian 10. Also, there isn't an ipp-usb backport.

[brian_p]

Also, there isn't an ipp-usb backport.

But see

https://wiki.debian.org/CUPSDriverlessPrinting#summary

[Ihamed]

Thank you @brian_p for this valuable information.

In your Link
https://github.com/alexpevzner/sane-airscan
I have found this:

Compatibility

Any eSCL and WSD capable scanner expected to work. Here is a list of devices that were actually tested. If you have success with a scanner not included into this list, please let me know.

In most cases, devices were tested with network connection. However, most (all?) of the eSCL devices will also work over USB, if IPP-over-USB daemon is installed on your computer. WSD-only devices cannot be used with the IPP-over-USB daemon.

Currently, there is a choice of two IPP-over-USB implementations:

ippusbxd, which comes with some distros
ipp-usb, a modern replacement of the ippusbxd. The ipp-usb works better, binary packages available for many popular distros (see link from a project page).

So my question is:
Do I really need the special ipp-usb-version for Debian 10 from here ...
https://download.opensuse.org/repositor ... Debian_10/ ?

Or can I take ippusbxd instead?
Or is ippusbxd only for driverless scanning via USB-MFP and not for driverless printing via USB-MFP?

[brian_p]

So my question is:
Do I really need the special ipp-usb-version for Debian 10 from here ...
https://download.opensuse.org/repositor ... Debian_10/ ?

Or can I take ippusbxd instead?
Or is ippusbxd only for driverless scanning via USB-MFP and not for driverless printing via USB-MFP?

ippusbxd is in buster but is removed from bullseye. There is a good reason for that removal: ippusbxd and ipp-usb are designed to do the same job, but ippusbxd is vastly inferior to ipp-usb. Even ippusbxd's author would agree with this assessment. Do not use ippusbxd.

[Ihamed]

Thank you.

Is it enough, to just ...

0. download https://download.opensuse.org/repositor ... rig.tar.gz
1. unpack the archive
2. copy the content of the folder "ipp-usb-0.9.17" into the folder /etc/ipp-usb/
3. Edit the file "ipp-usb.conf" with "interface = all"
?

2. And what do I have to do with the file "ipp-usb_0.9.17-1+48.2.diff" (https://download.opensuse.org/repositor ... .2.diff.gz)
?

How can I start the daemon? (I guess it needs a daemon in the background(?))