Printer Access: Home Office Printing

In today's world, the lines between work and home are becoming increasingly blurred, with many employees working remotely or on flexible schedules. As a result, it's not uncommon to need access to office resources, such as printers, from the comfort of your home. Fortunately, advancements in technology have made this process relatively straightforward and user-friendly. Here are some ways to use your office printer from home:

- Ensure compatibility and network connectivity: Check if your printer supports wireless or cloud printing options. Most modern printers have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities or are compatible with wireless adapters. Ensure that your home computer is connected to the same network as the office printer.

- Utilise cloud printing services: Cloud printing services, such as Google Cloud Print, HP ePrint, or Epson Connect, allow you to register your office printer and access it remotely. You can then send print jobs directly to your office printer from anywhere with an internet connection.

- Remote desktop connection: If your home laptop and office computer are connected via a secure remote desktop connection, you can access and control your office computer from your home device. Once connected, you can send print commands to your office printer as if you were sitting in front of it.

- Virtual Private Network (VPN) printing: If your office network requires a VPN connection for remote access, you can set up a VPN connection on your home device. This will allow your laptop to be recognised as part of the office network, enabling direct printing to the office printer.

- Email-to-print functionality: Many modern printers support email-to-print functionality, where you can assign a unique email address to your office printer. You can then send documents as email attachments from your home device, and the printer will receive and print them.

Ensure compatibility and network connectivity

To ensure compatibility and network connectivity when using your office printer from home, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, check if your printer supports wireless printing options. Most modern printers come with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities or are compatible with wireless adapters. If your printer is wireless, make sure that the wireless option is turned on. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when a wireless connection is available. You can also run the printer's wireless connectivity test by following the instructions in the printer's manual or on the manufacturer's website.

If your printer is not wireless, you can still connect it to your home network by using a wired connection. Wired connections typically require a physical connection to your router, usually via an Ethernet (RJ45) or USB cable. If using a wired connection, ensure that the proper type of cable is being used, such as a CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 cable.

In addition to checking the printer's wireless capabilities, you also need to ensure that your home computer is connected to the same network as the office printer. This can be done by connecting to the same Wi-Fi network or by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect to your office network remotely.

It is also important to consider the compatibility of your printer with the type of network connection you are using. Different printers have different requirements for wired and wireless connections, so check the documentation or consult the manufacturer to ensure that your printer is compatible with the type of connection you are attempting to set up.

By following these steps, you can ensure compatibility and network connectivity when using your office printer from home.

Utilise cloud printing services

Cloud printing services are an excellent way to print from any device connected to the internet. They eliminate the need for printer drivers and allow the printer to receive digital information via the cloud. This enables seamless and reliable printing across the network, regardless of the hardware being used and its location.

To utilise cloud printing services, you need to first ensure that your printer is compatible with the cloud service you intend to use. Major cloud printing services like Google Cloud Print, AirPrint, and Epson Connect are compatible with laser printers. HP ePrint, Xerox Print to Cloud, and Lexmark Cloud Print are some third-party services that offer remote access and mobile printing.

Once you've determined compatibility, you will need to set up your printer for cloud printing. This involves creating an account with the printer manufacturer's cloud service and registering your printer. After that, you can print documents by logging into your cloud account and selecting the appropriate printer.

Cloud printing offers several benefits. It allows employees to use their own devices for printing without worrying about compatibility and drivers, reducing the need for help desk support. It also lowers costs by meeting print-on-demand needs and eliminating the need to buy, deploy, and manage hardware and software. Additionally, cloud printing can help organisations reduce their carbon footprint by lowering carbon emissions from transportation and waste generation.

Remote desktop connection

Remote desktop printing can be a complex process, but it is possible to set up and use your office printer from home. Here is a detailed guide on how to establish a remote desktop connection to your office printer.

Step 1: Check Printer Connection

First, you need to check how your printer is connected. Local printers usually connect to a computer via a port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). On the other hand, remote printers often connect wirelessly or via a print server, which is typically a computer, router, or another device that controls access to printers.

Step 2: Install Printer Software

If you are connecting to a local printer, you will need to install the printer software on your computer. This software is typically provided by the printer manufacturer and can be found on their website or included with the printer. During the installation process, you will be prompted to choose a connection type. Select "Network", "Wireless", or "Bluetooth", depending on your printer's connection type.

Step 3: Configure Printer Settings

Once the software is installed, you will need to configure the printer settings. Open the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers and Scanners" section in your computer's settings. Here, you will find the option to "Add a Printer". Click on this option and follow the instructions to add your office printer. You will need the printer's IP address or hostname, which you can obtain from your IT department or printer manufacturer.

Step 4: Set Up Remote Desktop Connection

To print from your remote desktop, you will need to configure your Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) settings. Open the RDC application and click on "Show Options". Then, navigate to the "Local Resources" tab and ensure that the "Printers" box is checked. Go back to the "General" tab and save your settings.

Step 5: Test Printing

After saving your settings, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect. Once your computer restarts, log into your remote desktop and attempt to print a test page. Your local printer should now be recognised by the remote desktop, and you should be able to select it as your print destination.

Troubleshooting:

If your local printer is not visible in the remote desktop session, there are a few things to check. Ensure that your printer is properly plugged in, switched on, and not idle. Additionally, confirm that your local printer has a compatible driver installed on both the local and remote desktop systems. You may need to install an older driver supported by both computers or manually redirect the printing.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully set up and use your office printer from home through a remote desktop connection.

Virtual private network (VPN) printing

Printing over a VPN can be challenging, as the VPN reconfigures your computer's network connection. When you connect to a VPN, your traffic is rerouted through a remote network, which means your wireless printer will still be connected to your local network and you won't be able to connect to it.

However, there are several ways to print over a VPN:

Change VPN Settings

Some VPNs allow you to enable LAN access, which lets you print over a VPN. Here's how to do it:

• Go to your VPN's Preferences or Settings.
• Find and enable the "Enable LAN Access" or "Allow Access to Local Network Devices" feature.
• If you can't find these options, check the help files or contact your VPN's support.
• Connect Printer with Cable

If your printer and computer are connected directly via a cable, you should be able to print without any issues even with a VPN connection. Most printers use standard USB-AB cables, which are widely available and affordable.

Print via VPN with Cloud Solutions

Using a cloud printing solution like ezeep is another intuitive way to enable printing over a VPN. First, set up a connection between the cloud service and your printer. Then, connect the printer to the cloud using a small print server like the ezeep Hub. This allows you to print to the printer via a web portal or a dedicated app.

Remote Desktop Access

Remote desktop (RDP) access lets you view and operate your computer or office network remotely. Through an RDP interface, you can initiate a print job with a nearby printer.

Email-to-Print

Some printers support email-to-print functionality, allowing you to send documents as email attachments to a designated printer email address for automatic printing.

Network-Connected Printers

Many printers allow remote printing if they are on the same network as your device. This usually requires you to be relatively close to the printer, such as on the same floor of an office building.

Split Tunneling

Some VPNs offer a split tunneling feature that divides your traffic into two parts: private (VPN-routed) data and public (locally-routed) data. With split tunneling, you can select which software on your computer sends data through the VPN, allowing you to keep certain apps on your local connection to sync with your locally connected printer.

Email-to-print functionality

Printing from home can be a challenge, especially with the rise of mobile devices and multiple platforms. However, there are several ways to print from your home on your office printer using email-to-print functionality.

Firstly, you can use remote desktop printing. This involves emailing yourself the file you want to print and then opening it on your office computer through a remote desktop connection. However, this method requires that your office computer is kept on at all times, and it also gives full access to your work machine, which may not be desirable from a security perspective.

Another option is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Google Cloud Print. These options require third-party software and sharing some personal information, but they can be worth considering if you already use a VPN or have a Google account.

Additionally, some companies, such as Apple, Google, HP, and ePRINTit, offer platforms that enable printing from anywhere. For example, Apple's AirPrint allows iOS devices to detect and print to any AirPrint-compatible printer on the same wireless network. Similarly, Google Cloud Print works with Windows, Mac, or Linux PCs connected to the internet and is compatible with Android and iOS devices using a Gmail account on the Chrome browser.

Finally, you can explore public printing services offered by companies like ePRINTit, FedEx Office, Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Staples. These services allow you to upload documents to the cloud and then pick up your print job from a nearby location.

When setting up email-to-print functionality, it is important to consider printer and application compatibility, document security, and the reliability of your internet connection.

Frequently asked questions