Printing from a tablet or a phone is quite straightforward, but it’s not the same as printing from a computer. Firstly, there are no wires. Secondly, the idea of printer drivers is totally different – you don’t put them on your tablet.
There are different types of printer and how they can be used with a tablet depends in part on their age and what options they offer. They need to have wifi to offer the better range of options. Apple devices can use a different printer setup to Android devices.
There are a number of ways of sending stuff to a printer:
- Using Google Cloud Print
- Using a specific branded app (HP, Epson, Canon etc)
- Direct to USB, Bluetooth, or Networked Printer (needs a thrid party app- cost)
Each require specific setup and can involve setting the printer up as well as installing the app on your tablet.
Setting up Google Cloud Print
Using specific apps to print
Many printer manufacturers now have their own “cloud” printing services: http://www.google.co.uk/cloudprint/learn/printers.html#info-brother
This is how Epson explains their options.
You can print using either Epson connect or the Epson iPrint app: http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/epson-connect/mobile-printing/iprint-app.do
Our first job will be to check our printer. We will need to set up an epson connect account online and then connect the printer to the internet and register it to that account.
Apple airprint
AirPrint is built into most popular printer models. To use an AirPrint printer with your Wi-Fi network, make sure your printer is connected to the same network as your iOS device or Mac. Then select the AirPrint printer from your favorite app and you’re ready to print.
Here’s a list of airprint printers.
Printing via a computer
This uses the Google Cloud print service. You can then print from the chrome browser. To print from other apps you will need a thrid party app such as iCan-Print (free). Epson have an app called iPrint and HP have an app called ePrint.
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