Raspberry Pi Google Cloud Print Server

Leveraging Raspberry Pi for Continuous Cloud Printing

Google Cloud Print offers a convenient solution for connecting printers to the cloud, facilitating printing from any location. However, a key requirement exists.

Printers lacking native Cloud Print compatibility necessitate a consistently running computer to maintain remote accessibility.

Utilizing a Raspberry Pi as a Print Server

To circumvent the need for a permanently powered computer, a Raspberry Pi presents an ideal alternative.

This small, low-power device can be configured to act as a dedicated print server, enabling uninterrupted remote printing capabilities.

Configuration and Benefits

By employing a Raspberry Pi, users can enjoy the benefits of Google Cloud Print without the energy consumption or inconvenience of leaving a larger computer operational.

The following steps detail the process of setting up a Raspberry Pi to function as a print server for Google Cloud Print, ensuring seamless print-from-anywhere access.

This approach provides a cost-effective and energy-efficient method for extending Google Cloud Print functionality to a wider range of printers.

The Raspberry Pi’s minimal power draw makes it a sustainable choice for continuous operation.

The Benefits of a Raspberry Pi Cloud Print Server

Related: Enabling Native Google Cloud Printing and Printer Sharing in WindowsThere are two primary methods for accessing Google Cloud Print at home. You can purchase a printer specifically designed with Cloud Print capability, allowing direct connection to your Google account and the Cloud Print service. Alternatively, a PC with access to your desired printers can function as a Cloud Print server.

A direct-connection printer is the most efficient solution, eliminating the need for an intermediary device. However, if that isn't feasible, minimizing the resources used by the intermediary is crucial. Dedicatedly running a desktop computer continuously simply to serve as a Cloud Print server consumes significant resources for a task requiring minimal processing power.

To optimize resource usage, we chose to utilize a small, energy-efficient Raspberry Pi as an ultra-lightweight Cloud Print Server. This configuration allows the Raspberry Pi to simultaneously fulfill other functions. Our Raspberry Pi, for instance, serves both as a Cloud Print Server and a Raspberry Pi Weather Indicator.

The combined demands of handling occasional print jobs and executing a script for weather monitoring and LED control are minimal. Therefore, consolidating these tasks maximizes the value of our Raspberry Pi investment. Consider these projects that can be easily combined with a Raspberry Pi Cloud Print Server:

Constructing an LED Indicator using a Raspberry Pi (for Email, Weather, or Custom Applications)
Transforming a Raspberry Pi into a Low-Power Network Attached Storage (NAS) Device
Setting up a Raspberry Pi as an Always-On BitTorrent Client
Installing NZBGet for Efficient Usenet Downloading on Your Raspberry Pi

Google Cloud Print provides convenient remote printing, and a Raspberry Pi offers an ideal solution for a lightweight and versatile server.

Why Choose a Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi’s low power consumption and small size make it perfect for this application. It avoids the energy waste of a full-sized computer. Furthermore, its ability to multitask allows for greater utility from a single device.

Prerequisites

This guide presumes you have already completed the necessary setup steps. Specifically, you will need the following components to proceed:

A Raspberry Pi device running the Raspbian operating system.
Printers that are accessible and connected to your Raspberry Pi.
An active Google Account.

Further Reading: The How-To Geek's Printer Buying GuideShould you require assistance with setting up your Raspberry Pi with Raspbian or configuring printers, please refer to the provided links for detailed instructions. Ensuring your printer setup aligns with our Raspberry Pi printer guide is essential.

Successful completion of this tutorial hinges on your Raspberry Pi's ability to access printers, whether they are locally connected or networked.

Furthermore, reviewing our comprehensive guide to Google Cloud Print is highly recommended to gain a thorough understanding of the system's functionalities.

Installing Chromium

The core component enabling our Raspberry Pi to function as a Cloud Print Server is the open-source browser, Chromium. Utilizing a PC with Google's Chrome web browser as a print server represents an official method for adding Cloud Print functionality. However, despite the availability of an official Chrome release for numerous Linux distributions, support is limited to x86/x64 architectures. This presents a challenge for the ARM-based Raspberry Pi and its Rasbian operating system.

Chromium provides a solution, allowing access to the necessary features for connecting the Raspberry Pi to Google's Cloud Printer system.

Begin by opening the terminal on your Raspberry Pi and executing the following command:

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser

Confirm the installation by typing 'Y' and pressing enter when prompted. While the installation process isn't excessively large, it does require some time; a brief break for coffee is perfectly reasonable during this period.

Following the installation of Chromium, launch it from the desktop environment. It can be found within Raspbian's start menu under Internet –> Chromium Web Browser:

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Once Chromium is running, navigate to the menu icon located in the upper right corner. Click it, and then select "Settings". Scroll down within the Settings window until you locate "Advanced Settings". Clicking this will expand the settings options, revealing the entry for Google Cloud Print.

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Select "Add Printers". This will redirect you to an authorization page:

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Enter the Google account credentials associated with the account used to manage your Cloud Printers. Ensure the "Stay signed in" option is checked, as this print server will operate independently and require persistent authentication.

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After successfully authorizing your account, you will be presented with the "Add printer(s)" button. Any printers accessible to the Raspberry Pi, whether local or networked, will be added to your Google Cloud Print account. If these printers were previously registered through other methods, it's advisable to remove the older entries from your Cloud Print management page.

Clicking the Add button will display a confirmation page, indicating that the printers have been added and you are now ready to print. This is an ideal moment to initiate a test print:

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Approximately ten seconds after submitting the print job, it began processing on the networked printer:

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Initial concerns regarding the speed of the Cloud-to-Pi-to-Printer workflow proved unfounded. Even with larger PDF files, the printing process was only slightly longer than the typical wait time associated with printing substantial documents.

Following your test print, you can close Chromium on the Pi. The print server will continue to operate in the background. You can then enjoy the convenience of printing from anywhere for a minimal cost – approximately a quarter per month, given the Raspberry Pi’s low energy consumption (around $3 annually).