What is CUPS and how does it work?
CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX-based operating systems (Mac OS X). It has been developed by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution for all UNIX systems.
CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds the network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX. http://www.cups.org/
CUPS includes an image file RIP that supports printing of image files to non-PostScript printers. A customized version of GNU Ghostscript 7.05 for CUPS called ESP Ghostscript is available separately to support printing of PostScript files within the CUPS driver framework. Sample drivers for Dymo, EPSON, HP, and OKIDATA printers are included that use these filters. http://www.cups.org/links.php?V134
Each file or set of files that is submitted for printing is called a job. Jobs are identified by a unique number starting at 1 and are assigned to a particular destination, usually a printer. Jobs can also have options associated with them such as media size, number of copies, and priority.
CUPS supports collections of printers known as classes. Jobs sent to a class are forwarded to the first available printer in the class.
Filters allow a user or application to print many types of files without extra effort. Print jobs sent to a CUPS server (Built in Mac OS X) are filtered before sending them to a printer. Some filters convert job files to different formats that the printer can understand. Others perform page selection and ordering tasks.
CUPS provides filters for printing many types of image files, HP-GL/2 files, PDF files, and text files. CUPS also supplies PostScript and image file Raster Image Processor ("RIP") filters that convert PostScript or image files into bitmaps that can be sent to a raster printer.
GIMP Print
Gimp-Print is an Open Source suite of printer drivers that work with CUPS.
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/
The Gimp-Print web page for OS X answers most questions on how to use Gimp-Print with OS X 10.2 "Jaguar" and provides software download links. The final release of Gimp-Print 4.2.4 for Mac OS X Jaguar is also available. http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3
