---
name: "printtool"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "printtool"
version: "4.5-9.1"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/printtool"
---

# printtool(1)

printer configuration utility for X(1)

## NAME

printtool - printer configuration utility for  **X**(1)

## SYNOPSIS

**printtool**

## DESCRIPTION

*printtool* is an X-windows based utility for configuring printers under Linux. It is intended to ease the configuration of lpr/lpd printers by no longer requiring the manual manipulation of the /etc/printcap file. It can be used to configure local printers, remote lpd printers, shared Windows printers via Samba (requires Samba to be installed),  Novell Netware printers via NCP, or Direct to printer. Direct to printer configurations are for printers directly attached to the network such as older HP JetDirect cards.

You must have root priveleges to run the  *printtool* utility. If you su to root be sure to run su -p to maintain your environment, or you need to configure your X environment manually. After starting the utility you are given the options to Edit, Add, Delete, or AutoDetect your printer. The options are self explanatory.  AutoDetect will display a new window that will allow you to search for local or remote printer(s) automatically.

## ENVIRONMENT

*printtool* uses the following environment variables:

- DISPLAY

  Specify which bitmap display terminal to use.

- CONTROL\_PANEL\_LIB\_DIR

  Specifices the Control Panel Library directory which contains bindings.tcl and dialog.tcl.

## FILES

- */etc/printcap*

  Printer configuration file.

- */var/lib/printtool*

  Warning file to check for presence of Samba and NCP.

- */usr/sbin/printtool*

  *printtool* executable.

- */usr/share/doc/printtool/NEWS*

  printtool version history information.

- */usr/share/doc/printtool/README*

  Additional documentation for *printtool* package.

- */usr/share/doc/printtool/copyright*

  *printtool* copyright information

- */usr/share/doc/printtool/changelog.Debian.gz*

  Debian changelog information for  *printtool*

- */usr/lib/menu*

  Menu file for *printtool*

- */usr/share/printtool/dialog.tcl*

  tcl dialog box file.

- */usr/share/printtool/bindings.tcl*

  tcl key bindings file.

- */usr/share/printtool/printtool.gif*

  Printer image file.

- */usr/share/printtool/printtool.init*

  *printtool* initialization file.

- */usr/doc/printtool/\**

  Same files as /usr/share/doc/printtool/.

- */usr/lib/menu/printtool*

  Menu file for the  *menu* package

Help is also available inside the application under the PrintTool About menu or the Help menu under General Help and Troubleshooting.

If you still didn't find the information you are looking for you might consider posting a call for help to *debian-user@lists.debian.org*.

## SEE ALSO

[**X**(7)](/X/7.md), **samba**(1), [**ncps**(1)](/ncps/1.md)

## AUTHOR

```
This manpage was originally written by Barry deFreese
<bddebian@cox.net> for the Debian distribution of printtool.
The main authors and contributors of printtool are
Michael Fulbright <msf@redhat.com>,
Bill Nottingham <notting@redhat.com>,
Jeff Johnson <jbj@redhat.com>,
Michael Fulbright <msf@redhat.com>,
Erik Troan <ewt@redhat.com>,
Mark Pruett <mpruett@valinux.com>,
Ben Woodard <ben@valinux.com>
```