How to enable AirPrint on ANY printer in Mac OSX to allow your iPad/iPhone to use

Usually, Apple requires you to buy an AirPrint compatibile printer to allow your iPad or iPhone to print.

However with this simple trick, you can make any printer connected to your Mac and shared over the network, into an AirPrint printer.

Step 1:
From System Preferences remove existing printer you have setup.

Step 2:
Launch AppleScript editor

This is usually found in Applications > Utilities > AppleScript Editor

Step 3:

Copy and Paste the following into the Editor and Press 'Run'

Code:

do shell script "echo '# enable AirPrint

image/urf urf (0,UNIRAST<00>)' > /usr/share/cups/mime/airprint.types" with administrator privileges

Example:



Step 4:
Restart your Mac

Once its restarted, add the Printer as normal and enable sharing over the network, with permissions set as default 'Everyone'

Step 5:
Open up your iPad to a webpage in Safari, and click the button next to the address bar and select your printer (see below)



Enjoy!

Tested on iPad 2 running 4.3 and Mac OSX 10.6.7 - worked perfectly with a old Dell Laser Printer.

 

Nice guide will this work the same way on older versions of OSX?

 

Not sure, I'd assume it work on a few version before hand (back until whenever AirPrint was enabled in Mac OSX), but iv only been able to test it on 10.6.7. Only way to find out is give it a go