How to Change the Paper Tray in CUPS for Linux

CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) is the printing system for the UNIX- and Linux-based operating systems. It provides command line access for most printers. Printing is accomplished using the "lp" command. The "lp" command has options for different paper sizes and types, as well as the ability to specify the source of the paper (the paper tray). The paper tray options are "Upper," "Lower," "Multipurpose" and "LargeCapacity." The naming of the paper tray depends on the type of printer being used.

Things You'll Need

• Printer with multiple paper trays

Instructions

1. Open a terminal window.

2. Type the command "lp -o media=Letter, Upper file.txt" to send the printing of "file.txt" to the upper paper tray using U.S. Letter size paper.

3. Press the "Enter" key to start the printing.

4. Type "exit" to close the terminal window.

References

• CUPS Software Users Manual: Selecting the Media Size, Type and Source