What Is a Print Driver?

In this tech-driven world, clicking print and having documents and images printed on paper seems routine, and only a little thought goes into its process. The computer and printing process is connected via a software called print driver, but what is a print driver, and how does it work?

The Print Driver conveniently bridges the communication gap between your computer and printer and translates the device language. To understand its functioning and importance, let’s dive into this article. 

What Is a Print Driver and How Does It Work?

Print driver (also called print processor) is a software program, built into your computer that functions primarily to interpret computer language and instructions for the operating system, specifically for printer processing. 

To understand what is a print driver in simpler terms, it is a translator between your computer and your printer. It takes the data you want to print like text, images, confidential documents, etc, and converts it into a language your printer can decode. 

For smooth communication and access to all functionalities of your print driver, installing the proper driver is recommended.  

Types of Print Drivers

There are two principal types of printer drivers for inkjet, laser, and thermal printers. PCL and PS both offer different advantages and cater to specific printing needs.

1. Printer Command Language (PCL)

PCL is a common language for most printers and translates specific elements like fonts and underlines during the printing process. Owing to its efficiency in mixed-format print jobs, PCL finds favor for printing text documents and basic graphics.

However, the quality of the picture depends on the printer, and Macs don’t understand PCL at all.  

2. PostScript (PS)

PostScript is more like an advanced language for printers, especially useful for professional printing at greater magnitudes. PS driver approaches to attain superior quality and consistent output across different printers.

However, potential drawbacks include slower processing speed and limited platform compatibility when compared to PCL. 

Importance of Having an Updated Print Driver 

Besides answering what is a print driver, it’s also important to understand the significance of an updated print driver.   

• An outdated print driver can lead to weird printing errors or missing text. Updates fix these bugs and make your device less susceptible to performance problems.
• An outdated printer struggles to keep up with the printing pace, especially if done on a larger scale. On the other hand, an updated printer ensures that things get printed more quickly. 
• Updated versions add new features which were previously unavailable in the last version. So newer versions can unlock new printing options and improve quality, especially with a high-quality paper. 

Where Do I Find My Print Queue?

Installing a print driver is a straightforward process and most printers come with a software CD containing the necessary drivers. Alternatively, the latest drivers can also be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. 

Print queue names appear in different places for Windows and Mac. On Windows, check the ‘Printers’ section under ‘Control Panel’, while on Mac look for the ‘Queue name’ in the ‘Printer Info’ sheet under ‘Name and Location’.   

How Do I Fix a Print Queue Issue?

For a printer to work smoothly, it’s necessary to first understand what is a print driver and how you can troubleshoot its issues. Here are some steps to tackle these issues:

1. Restart the Spooler Service:

The print spooler service manages the print queue in the background so restarting it can often resolve basic issues. Specific steps to do so depend on the operating system.

2. Clear the Print Queue Completely

In some cases, completely clearing the print queue might be necessary. But it will cancel all pending print jobs.

3. Update Your Print Driver

Outdated drivers can sometimes cause print queue issues. However, downloading and installing the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website can help. 

Final Words

The print driver plays an important role in printing and translating digital commands into instructions that a printer can understand which ensures smooth and accurate printing.

At Paperpapers, we offer premium paper for your printing services and quality customer service to find the perfect paper to match your needs. Visit our website to learn more about our quality paper for all your printing needs.