How to change paper type on Printer with Universal Print?

Question

Hi,

I am currently testing Azure Universal Print. I have successfully connected one of my printers to the Universal Print Setup using the Print Connector. However, I have encountered an issue. On my on-premises print server, I used different queues to handle various types of print jobs. For example, I had a "Printer_Blank" queue for jobs that needed to be printed on plain paper and a "Printer_Letter" queue for jobs that required letterhead paper. The queues were able to automatically select the correct paper tray on the printer based on the paper type specified in the printing defaults.

With Universal Print, I am unable to set any paper type in the printing defaults. Is this a missing feature, or is there a possible solution using a script?

The Settings which i can access are the one you can see in the attachment

Would appreciate if somebody could help me with this topic

Answer 1

With Universal Print, the ability to change the paper type directly through printing defaults or settings may vary depending on the printer model and manufacturer. Universal Print focuses on providing a cloud-based print management solution, and certain printer-specific settings, such as paper type, may not be exposed through the Universal Print interface.

However, you can still achieve the desired functionality by leveraging scripts or printer-specific configuration tools. Here's a general approach to consider:

Identify the printer manufacturer and model: Determine the specific printer model you're using with Universal Print. This information is crucial as different printers may have different configuration methods.

Explore printer-specific tools or APIs: Check if the printer manufacturer provides any specific tools or APIs that allow you to interact with printer settings programmatically. Manufacturers often offer software development kits (SDKs) or command-line utilities that can be used to control printer settings.

Develop a script or application: Utilize the printer-specific tools or APIs to develop a script or application that can change the paper type on the printer. The exact implementation will depend on the tools available and the programming language you're comfortable with. For example, if the printer supports PowerShell-based configuration, you can use PowerShell scripting to change the paper type.

Integration with Universal Print: Once you have a script or application that can change the paper type on the printer, you can integrate it into your printing workflow with Universal Print. This can be done by invoking the script or application as part of the print job submission process.

Note: The specific steps and tools required may vary depending on the printer manufacturer and model. It's recommended to consult the documentation and resources provided by the printer manufacturer for detailed instructions on configuring printer settings programmatically.

Remember to test the script or application thoroughly before deploying it in a production environment to ensure it meets your requirements and functions correctly with Universal Print.