What does it do?
The Mac OS provides a uniform and consistent approach to printing, so that all different types of printers are installed and used in a similar way. This enables you to print to the best abilities of a given printer, regardless of the application you’re using. It also provides seamless support for connection of printers in many different ways: direct to serial or USB ports, over a network, or via a server that could even be at the other end of the continent. Support for printing is reflected in the Page Setup and Print commands in the File menu, configured through the Chooser (in the Apple menu), and may appear in a special icon on the Desktop. How does it work?
Printer software support is installed, mainly to the Extensions folder in your active System Folder, and then enabled by selecting the device in the Chooser. Printers that are supported by the standard LaserWriter driver have customisations in their printer description files, while custom printer drivers cater for other third-party printers. When an application is told to print, it creates a virtual output device and draws each page into that. Those virtual pages are then converted by the driver into a form that can be downloaded to the printer, and sent using Open Transport port or network communications. What can go wrong with it?
Although quite complex, printing problems are surprisingly uncommon, as modern printer drivers are now far more mature and stable. Most issues arise from non-PostScript printers connected to a USB port, and occur most often when the printer driver conflicts with other system software and extensions. Make sure you install and use the latest updated version of the printer driver, and you should minimise these problems. How can I upgrade it?
PostScript printers are mainly supported in Apple’s LaserWriter software, which is bundled with the Mac OS. Separate updates are also available for those who want to stick with older versions of the Mac OS. Non-PostScript printer drivers are supplied by the printer vendor, although third-party improvements are also available for some. Consult the vendor’s Web page or support lines. Further info
Web sites with further information on specific problems include Three Macs & a Printer’s excellent coverage of printing on small networks, at threemacs.com/network/index.html; Terrance Lam’s guide to using Adobe Acrobat as a PostScript RIP for non-PostScript printers, at members.home.net/kinematic/ps4nonps.html; and MacWindows’ clear explanations on cross-platform printing, at www.macwindows.com/netbasc2.html | 
