Lexmark Universal Print Driver: Streamlining Printing for Businesses

The Lexmark Universal Print Driver (UPD) offers a standardized, single-driver solution designed to simplify printing for end-users and administrators. This comprehensive driver package aims to reduce IT management overhead, enhance user experience, and streamline print infrastructure.

Universal Printer Driver Details

The UPD combines multiple printer drivers' attributes into a single PCL or PS driver, which significantly reduces installation times and simplifies driver configuration processes. The UPD's purpose is to equip network administrators, and those setting up multiple printers, with a standardized one-driver solution.

Operating and Printer Compatibility

Lexmark provides lists of supported Operating Systems and Lexmark Device Compatibility to ensure seamless integration.

Driver Availability

The full Administrators driver package is available for download. Individual "Add Printer" printer emulation drivers (e.g., PS, PCL, or HBP) can be selected via Lexmark's website under the "Downloads" path.

Data Stream Support

The UPD supports PCL Level 5, PCL XL, and PS Level 3 Emulations.

Architecture

The UPD architecture is designed for flexible deployment and compatibility across various environments.

Connectivity

The UPD supports bi-directional communication with the printer, enabling automatic configuration of printer options, such as trays and output expanders. It supports both Lexmark Enhanced TCP/IP ports, Microsoft Standard TCP/IP ports and the new Travel Print port.

Installation Methods

Administrators have several installation methods available:

Found New Hardware Wizard: A standard Plug-n-Play installation.
Add Printer Wizard (APW):
- Standard Install: Installs basic features, including the PCL XL driver.
- Custom Install: Allows users to choose the driver language or features compatible with their printer or best suits their needs; available with web-downloaded administrator's package.
Driver Profiler: (Available with web-downloaded administrator's package) to allow individual driver generated profiles for use in script installations
Lexmark Script Install: Batch deployments to clients and servers using the administrator package.

Options and Peripheral Detection

The UPD automatically detects printer options and add-on printer attachments that are connected to the printer.

Microsoft Certification

The UPD is Microsoft certified, ensuring compatibility and reliability within Windows environments.

Benefits of Using the Lexmark Universal Print Driver

The Lexmark Universal Print Driver offers numerous benefits, including:

Simplified Driver Management: With only one package to manage, testing and internal certification of print drivers is simplified.
Reduced Help Desk Calls: The Lexmark Universal Print Driver packages use the same graphic user interface as the product-specific drivers the users are accustomed to, and now all queues will share that same interface, decreasing calls to the help desk.
Streamlined Installation: The UPD significantly reduces installation times and simplifies driver configuration processes.
Cost Savings: Job Accounting capabilities enable organizations to track print jobs for accounting purposes, allowing for billing to specific accounts or departments.
Environmental Responsibility: Administrators can use the Lexmark Universal Print Driver packages to encourage their organization’s environmental policies.
Enhanced User Experience: The Universal Print Driver is now available in more languages, and matches the language of your operating system.
Customizable Deployment Packages: With the new Universal Print Driver installer, administrators can choose to create preconfigured installation packages that include only the software and drivers that meet their organization's needs. This is accomplished by combining the custom installation package with Driver Configuration Files (DCFs), which lets administrators create a deployment package that best suits their environment.
Automatic Configuration Updates: The latest version of the Universal Print Driver has the ability to update its user interface to reflect the features and options of any supported printer model. When the driver is connected to a printer through USB or over a network, the driver automatically updates its configuration, showing only the features and functions of a chosen printer model. The driver can be configured to determine a printer model automatically.
Flexible Print Path: Supports both Lexmark Enhanced TCP/IP ports, Microsoft Standard TCP/IP ports and the new Travel Print port
Reduced IT Intervention: Reduces helpdesk or IT intervention to improve end-user productivity
Citrix and Cluster Server Support: Continued support with Driver Profiler and Script Install via web-downloaded administrator's driver package and support for Citrix and cluster server printing
Simplified Certification: Reduce or eliminate company or organizational certification requirements
Expanded Language Support: Job Accounting with capabilities for the purpose of billing client or departments and expanded language support for Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish geographies

Is the Universal Print Driver Right for You?

Consider using product-specific (non-universal) drivers if:

You have a certain model which lacks PCL-XL (PCL 6) Emulation driver.
You have a new printer that has yet to have a Universal Printer Driver developed for it.
You're using a non-Lexmark printer or non-supported printer.
You need a certain advanced driver feature not yet available with the universal printer driver (UPD).

Available Settings Under Printing Preferences

The UPD offers a wide range of customizable settings under Printing Preferences, allowing users to tailor their printing experience.

Layout Tab

Features under the "Layout" tab include:

Collation
Reverse page order (Formerly "Last Page First")
Orientation
Rotate 180
Print on both sides* (Duplex)
Page Layout:
- Multiple pages per side (N-Up)
- Booklet
- Poster
- Mirror
- Print & Load Custom and Eco Settings

* Requires duplex option installed under Properties/InstallOptions and a capable printer.

Paper/Finishing Tab

Features under the "Paper/Finishing" tab include:

Paper size
Resize options: None, Fit to paper size, Mirror,,,
Paper type
Paper source/tray
Output bin selection
Staple (Front, Back, Dual, Dual Double)*
Offset (On, Off) *
Hole punch (optional 2 hole punch)*
Fold (PostScript driver only)*
More Input Options:
- Front or Back cover source selection
- First and last page source selection*

*Requires Finisher option installed under Printer Properties > Install Options (Configuration); NOTE: Some Finishers are not capable of alternate staple and hole punch positions. Also, Fold and Booklet fold require installation of the booklet finisher option.

Quality Tab

Features under the "Quality" tab include:

Custom (default) or presets for Text, Text/Photo, Photo
600 dpi n models
1200 IQ
2400 IQ
4800 CQ
Enhance fine lines: Use printer setting, On, Off
Edit Color Correction
Edit Color Balance
Edit Color Matching
Toner darkness (adjustable)
Print text as black
Print in Black & White**
ColorSaver**
RGB (Color) Correction: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation**
Pixel Boost (monochrome feature)
Gray correction (monochrome printers)
Make negatives
Smooth images**

** Requires Color Printing installed under Printer Properties > Install Options (Configuration)

Watermark Tab

Features under the "Watermark" tab include:

Use same watermarks on all pages.
Use different watermarks on the first page.
Use different watermarks on odd/even pages.
Edit Watermarks.

Overlay Tab

Features under the "Overlay" tab include:

Use same overlay on all pages.
Use different overlay on the first page.
Use different overlay on odd/even pages.
Overlay placement.

Print and Hold Feature

Features under the "Print and Hold" feature include:

Use logged-in user name.
Keep duplicate documents.
Confidential Print (PIN).
Verify Print.
Reserve Print.
Repeat Print.

Other Options

Features under the "Other Options" tab include:

TrueType Fonts as:
- Bitmaps each character
- Automatically select
- Bitmaps full image
- Outlines*
Adobe Type 1 Fonts*
Adobe Type 42 Fonts
Account Tracking
Metafile spooling (Auto, Off, On)

* Default Factory Setting

Additional PostScript options under Other Options

Optimize output format:
- Speed
- Portability
- Encapsulated PS
- Archive
Language Level: 1,2,3
Print error information
Generate PostScript in driver (Disable PostScript Passthrough)

Available Settings Under Printer Properties

The UPD's Printer Properties consist of the following tabs:

General
Sharing
Ports
Advanced
Color Management
Security
Configuration
PostScript
Fax
About

General

Features under the "General" tab include:

Location entry
Comment entry
Model, Features, Paper Available messaging
Quick-link to Preferences
Print Test Page

Sharing

Features under the "Sharing" tab include:

Share this printer.
Render print jobs on client printers.
List in the directory.
Additional Drivers…

Ports

Features under the "Ports" tab include:

Port Selection
Add Port…
Detect Port
Configure Port
Enable bidirectional support
Enable printer spooling

Advanced

Features under the "Advanced" tab include:

Always available
Driver/New Driver…
Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster
Start printing after last page is spooled
Start printing immediately
Print directly to printer
Hold mismatched documents
Print spooled documents first
Keep printed documents
Enable advanced printing features
Printing Defaults…

Universal Print Integration

The Lexmark Universal Print Driver is part of a broader ecosystem that includes Universal Print by Microsoft and various partner solutions. Universal Print is a cloud-based print infrastructure that eliminates the need for on-premises print servers and simplifies print management. Lexmark has worked with Microsoft to ensure compliance, integrating our printers seamlessly with Universal Print without the need for on-premises infrastructure or printer drivers.

Several companies offer solutions that integrate with Universal Print to enhance its functionality, including:

Brother: Select Brother devices are Universal Print-ready, eliminating the need for on-premises print servers.
Canon: Offers native support for Universal Print with imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX and third generation imageRUNNER Advance models.
Celiveo: Celiveo 365 extends Universal Print by adding user authentication on printers and multi-function printers.
Epson: Epson's office printers are designed for image quality, productivity, and low energy consumption, and are compatible with Universal Print.
ThinPrint: ThinPrint ezeep Hub brings Universal Print by Microsoft to any printer.
FUJIFILM: Customers with Windows Enterprise or Microsoft 365 subscriptions can now easily print to FUJIFILM printers using Universal Print.
Gespage: The integration of Gespage with Universal Print brings support for Universal Print ready printers, and support for all other printers with the Universal Print connector.
HP: The HP for Universal Print Workpath app modernizes the print experience to give users simple, driverless printing.
Kofax: Kofax ControlSuite actively manages, secures, and governs virtually every aspect of document information distribution, and integrates with Microsoft Universal Print cloud services.
Konica Minolta: Konica Minolta's cloud platform Workplace Pure offers a broad range of services that are tailored to customers' business needs, and integrates with Universal Print.
Kyocera: By integrating Kyocera devices with Universal Print, organizations can address the printing needs of the hybrid workplace.
Lexmark: Lexmark Cloud Print Management gives users the ability to send documents from their computer, tablet or smartphone to any enabled Lexmark printer, without the expense and hassle of a physical print infrastructure, and integrates with Universal Print.
MPS Monitor: MPS Monitor brings Universal Print by Microsoft functionality to any MPS Monitor user with a suitable Microsoft 365 subscription.
MyQ: MyQ X is a next-gen comprehensive print management solution that extends the capabilities of Universal Print to older printer models.
PaperCut: Native support for Universal Print is built into PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG.
Pharos: By integrating Pharos Cloud’s Secure Release with Microsoft 365 and Universal Print, organizations can add a critical layer of security and confidentiality to their printing workflows.
PriApps: PriApps enhances Universal Print by allowing users to securely release print jobs at any printer or MFP, track usage, apply print rules and quotas, and assign Cost Account or Client Matter codes for cost recovery.
Printix: Printix SaaS is a native cloud print management solution that extends the capabilities of Universal Print.
Ricoh: Ricoh multi-function printers (MFP) offer direct integration with Microsoft Universal Print using the Ricoh PrintUP application.
Ringdale: In partnership with Microsoft, Ringdale is helping Microsoft 365 customers who use Universal Print to incorporate the latest security and data privacy protection policies when printing.

Release Notes: A History of Improvements

Lexmark continuously updates the Universal Print Driver to add new features, improve performance, and address security vulnerabilities. Here's a summary of key updates:

v3.0.0.0 (October 2021): Added support for print encryption, dynamic driver configuration from the printer, and new certifications (Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2103, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 1912 LTSR, 1909), along with support for Microsoft Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11.
v2.15.2.0 (July 2021): Enhanced security to prevent attacker-controlled codes running with system privileges.
v2.15.1.0 (March 2021): Added support for various color and monochrome laser multifunction products and printers.
v2.15.0.0 (September 2020): Added support for more color and monochrome laser multifunction products and printers, new Citrix certifications, Microsoft Windows Server 2019 as a cluster server, all paper types as paper source, and proper function of print processors with "Always prompt for PIN at print time".
v2.14.1.0 (July 2019): Added support for more color and monochrome laser multifunction products, new Citrix certifications, and Microsoft Windows Server 2019.
v2.14.0 (January 2019): Added support for more monochrome laser multifunction products and printers, new Citrix certifications, printing fax cover pages from 32-bit applications on 64-bit systems, PIN acceptance for "Confidential print," and updated support for locking watermarks.
v2.13.1.0 (June 2018): Added support for a wide range of color and monochrome laser multifunction products and printers.
v2.13.0.0 (April 2018): Added support for more monochrome laser multifunction products and printers, separator sheets, Hagaki paper size, image watermarks with PostScript drivers, new Citrix certifications, and synced Devmode dmColor value with color/monochrome print jobs.
v2.12.0.0 (August 2017): Added support for more color laser multifunction products and printers, Novell Open Enterprise Server 15, Branch Office Direct Printing, previewing bitmaps of paper sizes, user-controlled bidirectional communication, and new Citrix certifications.
v2.11.0.0 (June 2017): Added support for Croatian, Serbian, Slovak, and Slovenian languages, improved print time, Novell® 15 and Microsoft® Windows Server 2016, new Citrix certifications, and support for new color and mono laser multifunction products and printers.
v2.10.0.0 (January 2016): Added smart two-sided printing support, improved image compression, showed actual print speed, removed Windows Server 2003 support, added Citrix XenApp 7.6 certification, and added support for new devices.
v2.9.1.0 (August 2015): Added support for Microsoft Windows 10 and continued Citrix certifications.
v2.9.0.0 (May 2015): Added support for applying configuration files to printers on a cluster or remote environment and improved JPEG image compression.

tags: #lexmark #universal #print #driver #features