Gimp-Print

Gutenprint (formerly Gimp-Print) is a collection of free software printer drivers for use with UNIX spooling systems, such as CUPS, and LPRng. These drivers provide printing services for UNIX systems (including Linux), Mac OS X, RISC OS, Haiku and Microsoft Windows.

It was originally developed as a plug-in for the GIMP, but later became a more general tool for use by other programs and operating systems (Apple and Windows). When Apple introduced Mac OS X, it omitted printer drivers, claiming that it was the printer manufacturer's task to produce these. Many of them did not update their drivers, and since Apple had chosen to use CUPS as the core of its printing system, Gimp-Print filled the void.

Gutenprint has more than 1,300 high-quality drivers for Apollo, Apple, Brother, Canon, Citizen, Compaq, Dai Nippon, DEC, Epson, Fujifilm, Fujitsu, Gestetner, HP, IBM, Infotec, Kodak, Kyocera, Lanier, Lexmark, Minolta, NEC, NRG, Oki, Olivetti, Olympus, Panasonic, PCPI, Raven, Ricoh, Samsung, Savin, Seiko, Sharp, Shinko, Sony, Star, Tally, Tektronix and Xerox printers.

Gutenprint is not only available as a plug-in for GIMP Windows, it is also available as a plug-in for Photoshop on Windows. Another piece of free software that is based on Gutenprint is PhotoPrint for Windows. PhotoPrint is a standalone program that enables users to tap the functionality and power of Gutenprint (although it needs GTK+).

Many users incorrectly called it Gimp, so the software was renamed Gutenprint to clearly distinguish it from the GIMP. The name Gutenprint recognizes Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable type printing press.

The Epson backend is in active development; new printers, bug fixes and capability additions are contributed in each new release.

This backend is in active development, and new printers, bug fixes and capability additions are contributed in each new release. Canon printers use intelligent printheads, which control the quality of the final output given metadata sent to the printer from the driver. A consequence of this design is that the print quality is not specified in resolution alone, but via a "resolution mode" quality setting (up to 5 quality settings available at a time). The resolution parameter in the driver-output data is only a meta-resolution, typically either 300 or 600 dpi, sometimes 1200 dpi for certain monochrome or high-quality photo modes on a limited number of printers. The firmware then controls the printhead and creates physical ink output up to the marketed resolution.

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Wikipedia