How to Print Wirelessly From a Mac

The Apple AirPort Extreme base station has built-in printer sharing capabilities. Computers connected to the router (via wired or wireless connections) can print through the base station when the printer is set up in the AirPort Utility and added under System Preferences. Most all-in-one or multifunction printers have a print server built in and don't require a connection to the router. If the installation CD isn't available for the multifunction printer, the printer can be added using the Print & Fax option in System Preferences.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• AirPort Extreme base station Multifunction printer

Airport Router

1. Connect your printer to the AirPort Extreme base station by connecting the printer's USB cable to the appropriate port on the router.

2. Launch your AirPort Utility program (found in the Applications folder). Select your Apple wireless device on the left-hand frame. Click the "Manual Set Up" button.

3. Click the tab for "Base Station" and click the buttons next to "Allow setup over WAN" and "Allow setup over the Internet using Bonjour." Click the "Edit" button to open the AirPort Extreme network dialog box. Click the box next to "Use dynamic global hostname" and type your hostname for a global network, global user name and password in the corresponding fields. Click the "Done" button to close the dialog box.

4. Click the Printers icon on the top bar of the AirPort Utility window. Click the box next to "Share printers over WAN." Click the "Update" button and then click the "Continue" button to save settings and restart your AirPort. Quit the AirPort Utility program by selecting "Quit AirPort Utility" under "File" in the top menu bar.

5. Launch your System Preferences (located on your dock or in the Applications folder).

6. Click the "Print & Fax" icon to open your printer list. Click the "+" button below the printer list on the left to add a printer. Click the Default icon on the top tool bar and select your printer from the list (the printer is listed as "Bonjour" under "Kind"). You can select the printer driver from the drop-down menu if it is not automatically selected.

7. Click the "Add" button. Close the Print & Fax window.

Wireless Print Server

8. Launch your System Preferences (located on your dock or in the Applications folder).

9. Click the "Print & Fax" icon to open your printer list. Click the "+" button below the printer list on the left to add a printer.

10. Click the Default icon on the top tool bar and select your printer from the list (the printer is listed as "Network Printer" under "Kind"). You can select the printer driver from the drop-down menu if it is not automatically selected.

11. Click the "Add" button for the system to configure the printer. Close the Print & Fax window.

Tips & Warnings

• Multifunction printers have additional features, like scanning, that can be accessed wirelessly. Download the drivers and installation program from your manufacturer's Web site to take advantage of these functions.

References

• Apple: Airport Express Wireless Printing
• University of Tennessee Knoxville IT: Mac Set Up for Wireless Printing
• HP DeskJet 6840: Mac OS Set Up for Wireless Networks

Resources

• HP All-in-One OfficeJet Installation Program: Download for Mac OS X