HPLIP

HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) contains print, scan and fax drivers for HP devices.

Do you require HPLIP?
Most HP printers do not require HPLIP to successfully print from. You can likely use a default CUPS install, which likely provides adequate drivers or PPD files.

If you have a MFD with a scanner feature, then you will require HPLIP as it is likely the scanner driver is provided only as a binary blob.

Kernel
You need to activate the following kernel options:

Software
Install :

Configuration
If installed with enabled qt4 USE flag, use the "HP Device Manager" to configure your devices.

If not or if the program don't work for you, run hp-setup in a terminal:

For network printer also specify the printer's IP address:

Printer
The above command, should provide an option to test print. If it fails printing due to lack of X as root, use your CUPS web interface located at http://localhost:631/ for printing a test page.

Scanner
Use xsane and then press the preview button to ensure the binary scanner driver is installed and working properly.

Buggy hp-setup
Install HPLIP with snmp USE flag and try again.

/usr/libexec/cups/backend/hp failed
rc-service cupsd stop

cp /etc/cups/printers.conf /etc/cups/printers.conf.20121104

Edit this " /etc/cups/printers.conf" and remove the lines prefixed with "State", "Reason" and "Type".

Upon saving the file and restarting the cupsd daemon, printing should resume.

Error on install "File "./plugin_install.py", line 78 except ImportError, e:"
PROBLEM: A snipping of the error follows.

WORK AROUND: The cause is because incompatible coding is being used with Python 3 within hp-setup. To work around, "eselect python list" and "eselect python (set to version 2)". Just remember to revert back to Python 3 version when you are finished installing.

RESOLUTION: This bug is further documented at the following link and there appears to be no fix since 2011.11.16 as of 2012.11.18! http://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/891080

HPLIP Ebuild Upgrades Do Not Upgrade Binary Plugin(s)
PROBLEM: Apparently, the hplip ebuild does not upgrade the binary plugin(s) when the ebuild is upgraded. A symptom of this problem, you may get segfaults when starting XSane. (ie. The HP LaserJet M1522nf requires a binary plugin for using the scanning feature.)

WORK AROUND: Delete all printers within CUPS and use hp-setup after upgrading the hplip ebuild.