What is a Universal Printer Driver? (Update Version 1.6.2)

A universal printer driver is a driver that combines many of the existing printer driver attributes of current monochrome and color laser products into one PCL or PS driver.

Lexmark's universal driver version 1.6.2 was created to provide network administrators, and those setting up multiple printers, with a standardized one-driver solution for both monochrome and color laser printers.

Click here for 1.6.2 release notes.

Click here to access the UPD white paper. The white paper is also available on Lexmark.com via Drivers & Downloads and then Manuals.

Article Contents

Universal Printer Driver Details

Printer Compatibility and Available Emulations

UPD Benefits Overview

Past to Present Features Summary

When is UPD not recommended?

PCL Printing Preferences and Properties driver tabs

PS Printing Preferences and Properties driver tabs

 
Universal Printer Driver Driver Details

Operating Systems	The Lexmark Universal Print Drivers are available for the following operating systems in 32-bit and 64-bit versions: Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows XP Windows Server 2000 Windows 2000 The Universal Print Drivers are also compatible with the following Citrix implementations in 32-bit and 64-bit versions: Windows Server 2008 with Citrix XenApp 5.0 Windows Server 2003 with Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 Windows Server 2003 with Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 Windows Server 2003 with Citrix Presentation Server 3.0 Windows Server 2000 with Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 Windows Server 2000 with Citrix Presentation Server 3.0
Driver availability	This driver is available for download from Lexmark.com via the "Downloads" path.
Data stream	PCL Level 5, PCL XL, and PS Level 3 Emulations.
Architecture	System driver
Installation Methods	Found New Hardware Wizard Add Printer Wizard (APW) Custom install (available with web-downloaded administrator's package) Driver Profiler (available with web-downloaded administrator's package) to allow individual driver generated profiles for use in script installations.  Batch deployments to clients and servers using the administrator package's Lexmark Script Install Plug-n-Play (UPD Version 1.6) Past UPD versions note: Plug-n-Play (Found New Hardware Wizard) driver installations are not easily supported because of the driver's generic naming convention. When installing the driver through Add Printer Wizard, select an existing USB virtual printer port. Click here for USB installation instructions.
Options and Peripheral Detection	Automatic bidirectional configuration of installed options whether using Lexmark Enhanced TCP/IP ports or Standard TCP/IP ports.
Microsoft Certification	-Standard Windows system driver certification with Server 2003 and Windows XP -"Works with Microsoft ™ Windows Vista and Windows 7

 

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UPD Printer Compatibility and Language Emulation List

Go directly to your printer type or scroll down the page.

1. Monchrome Single-Function Printers
2. Monchrome MFPs
3. Color Single-Function Printers
4. Color MFPs

NOTE: Check back frequently for updated information or check Lexmark.com for UPD availability.

Monochrome

Printer model	PCL 5 Emulation	PCL XL	PostScript
E120n1
E2201
E230, E232, E234, E234n
E238, E240
E240n, E340, E342n
E250d, E250dn, E350d, E352dn, E450dn
E260, E260d, E260dn
E330, E332
E360d, E360dn
E460dn, E460dw, E462dtn
E320, E322
E3211, E3231
T420
T430
T520, T522
T620, T622
T630, T632, T634
T640, T642, T644
T650, T652, T654, T656
W820
W840
W850
Optra T612, Optra T614
Optra S 1625
Optra S 1855
Optra S 2420
Optra S 2450, Optra S 2455
1 - The duplex function is not supported 2 - Custom forms, collation, booklet printing, and most print quality controls are not available.

Mono MFP

Printer model	PCL 5 Emulation	PCL XL	PostScript
X203n, X204n
X264dn, X363dn, X364dn, X364dw
X340n2, X342n2
X422
X463de, X464de, X466dte, X466dtwe
X642e
X644e, X646e
X646ef
X651de, X652de, X654dte, X656de, X658de
X820e
X830, X832
X850e, X852e, X854e
X860e, X862e, X864e
1 - The duplex function is not supported 2 - Custom forms, collation, booklet printing, and most print quality controls are not available.

Color

Printer model	PCL 5 Emulation	PCL XL	PostScript
C510
C520, C522, C524
C530, C532, C534
C540, C543, C544, C546
C734, C736
C750
C752
C760, C762
C770, C772
C780, C782, C782 XL
C912
C920
C935
C792
C925

Color MFP 

Printer model	PCL 5 Emulation	PCL XL	PostScript
X543, X544, X546
X734de, X736de, X738de
X762e
X772e
X782e, X782e XL
X912
X940e, X945e
X792
X925

Additional Notes: 

• -The universal driver's duplex function will not work with the E120n, E220, E320, E322, E321, E323 printers or the X34x Series All-In-One multifunction printer.
• -Multifunction devices will not receive a Universal Scan driver; print only
• -Driver-fax for MFPs is available via the UPD PostScript level 3 driver.  
• -The X34x series products will not understand certain commands (i.e. custom forms, printer based collate, booklet, duplex, more print quality options, print and hold).
• -Other products may work perfectly with this driver; however, Lexmark does not take responsibility for any printing anomalies resulting from the use of this driver, and calls concerning them will not be escalated to our next level of technical support. 

 

 

 Potential benefits of using the universal driver include: 

• - Standard for nearly all currently marketed printers; however, exceptions include any host based printers (HBPs)which do not directly support PCL or PostScript languages. 
• - Bi-directional communication with the printer, i.e. automatic configuration of printer options (trays, output expanders etc.). 
• - PCL level 5 emulation support available if needed.
• - Larger individual driver file size but smaller overall file size when compared to the installation of multiple printer drivers.
• - Reduce helpdesk or IT intervention to improve end-user productivity.
• - Maintains functionality with printer options or add-on printer attachments. See 'Features' below. 
• - Continued support with Driver Profiler and Script Install via web-downloaded administrator's driver package.
• - Support for Citrix and cluster server printing.
• - Flexible print path - supports both Lexmark Enhanced TCP/IP ports, Microsoft Standard TCP/IP ports and the new Travel Print* port.
• - Reduce or eliminate company or organizational certification requirements.
• - Simplify network administrator or IT organization's driver dissemination and control.
• - Job Accounting with capabilities for the purpose of billing client or departments.
• - Expanded language support for Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish geographies.

 * This print monitor is located in the "UPD system administrator" driver-download package, and can be installed by choosing the CUSTOM installation path.

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Added Functionality and Feature evolution 

 

 

 

Continual development efforts of the UPD has led to several performance improvements.

 

UPD Versions 1.3 - 1.6.2 Key Improvements

• PostScript level 3 UPD includes driver-fax capabilities
• Phonebook feature for easy contact look-ups
• 1200 dpi resolution
• Custom paper sizes
• Print as black
• Advanced finisher options
• PostScript level 3 transparent watermark
• Pixel boost
• Year 2009/2010 product device support
• Update Microsoft re-distributable core driver (UNIDRV & PSCRIPT)   
• PCL XL emulation as a supported datastream
• RFID support in PCL 5 emulation for Lexmark RFID-capable devices
• Enhanced watermark support in PCL 5
• Travel Print*
• Plug and Play* capability added for all supported devices
• Bi-directional capability for USB ports*
  
• Resource Administration tab*
• Lexmark Eco-Print settings*
• Sustainabilty help*
• Improved account tracking options**
• Performance fixes and improvements**
      

*   UPD 1.6

** UPD 1.6.1

*** UPD 1.6.2

Is the Universal Printer Driver for you?

Use product-specific (non-universal) drivers that match your printer model type if the following applies:

• - You have a certain model which lacks PCL-XL (PCL 6) Emulation driver.
• - You have a new printer that has yet to have a Universal Printer Driver developed for it.
• - A non-Lexmark printer or a printer which is not in the above list.
• - You need a certain advanced driver feature not yet availble with the universal printer driver (UPD). 

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Universal PCL driver-tab features

denotes Lexmark Eco-Print setting.

Click on the tab names to see the driver layout, and click on your browser's back button to return to this article.

PCL XL Printing Preferences tabs	Supported Settings
Page Layout	Driver Feature Supported Collation Yes Last Page First Yes Rotate 180 Yes Duplex Yes N-Up Yes More Page Layout Options ...  Booklet Yes* Poster Yes * Requires duplex option installed under Properties/Install Options and a capable printer.
Paper	Driver Feature Supported Paper Size Yes Paper Tray Yes Paper Type Yes Output Options  ...  Output bin selection Yes Staple (Front, Back, Dual) Yes* Offset (On, Off) Yes* Hole punch (optional 2 hole punch) Yes* Fold (PostScript driver only) Yes* More Finishing Options: -Staple: Front, Back, Dual, Double dual. -Offset: On or Off. -Hole Punch: two, three, and four-hole punch -Fold: Fold, Fold and center staple, Fold individual pages Yes More Input Options: Front or Back cover source selection First and last page source selection Yes * Requires Finisher option installed under Properties/Install Options.  NOTE: Some finishers are not capable of alternate staple and hole punch positions. Also, Fold and Booklet fold is available with PostScript driver only. This requires installation of the booklet finisher option.
Print Quality	Driver Feature Supported 600 dpi Yes 1200 IQ Yes 2400 IQ No 4800 CQ No Toner darkness Yes Custom  button - print quality presets such as Draft, Better, Best; Text, Text/Photo, Photo. No Print in Black & White Yes** ColorSaver Yes** More Color options Yes** Color Correction Yes Color Balance Yes More Print Quality Options ... Pixel Boost (monochrome feature) Yes RGB correction Yes Enable gray correction (relates to images- mono printer feature) No Enhance fine lines Yes ** Requires Color Printing installed under Properties/Install Options.
Other Options	Driver Feature Supported Watermark Yes (128 characters) Print & Hold Yes Overlay Yes (Send, select and print functionality. Also, see Properties.) Job Accounting with prompt options Yes Printer Status No More options ... Fonts (download as bitmap, outline & print as graphics) Yes (Send and select functionality) PCL (GL/2 & Raster) Yes
Properties (PCL XL Universal)	Driver Feature (Properties Tabs) Supported General Yes Sharing Yes Ports Enable bidirectional support - NO Enable printer pooling - YES Yes Overlays (Download) Yes Fonts (Download) Yes Advanced Yes Color Management (Color Profiles) Yes*  Resource Administration Yes Security Yes Install Options Auto-printer peripheral configuration (Ask Printer functionality) - SUPPORTED upon driver installation or manually using Ask Printer.   Printer memory (Ask Printer functionality) -SUPPORTED upon driver installation or manually using Ask Printer. Yes * Requires Color Printing installed under Properties/Install Options.

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Universal PostScript driver-tab features  

Click on the tab names to see the driver layout, and then click on your browser's back button to return to this article.
 

UPD PS3 Printing Preferences tabs	Supported Settings
Page Layout	Driver Feature Supported Collation Yes Last Page First Yes Orientation   Rotate 180 Yes Duplex Yes N-Up or Multipage printing Yes More Page Layout Options ...  Booklet Yes* Poster Yes Mirror Yes Scaling Yes * Requires duplex option installed under Properties/Install Options and a capable printer.
Paper	Driver Feature Supported Paper Size Yes Paper Tray Yes Paper Type Yes Output Options  ...  Staple (Front, Back, Dual) Yes* Offset (On, Off) Yes* Hole punch (optional 2 hole punch) Yes* Fold Yes* More Finishing Options: -Staple: Front, Back, Dual, Double dual. -Offset: On or Off. -Hole Punch: two, three, and four-hole punch -Fold: Fold, Fold and center staple, Fold individual pages Yes More Input Options: Front or Back cover source selection First and last page source selection Yes * Requires Finisher option installed under Properties/Install Options.  NOTE: Some Finishers are not capable of alternate staple and hole punch positions. Also, Fold and Booklet fold require installation of the booklet finisher option.
Print Quality	Driver Feature Supported 600 dpi Yes 1200 IQ Yes 2400 IQ No 4800 CQ No Toner darkness Yes Print all text in black (no grayscale) for monochrome lasers Yes Print in Black & White (Color lasers) Yes** ColorSaver Yes** More Color options Yes** Color Correction Yes** Color Balance Yes** Color Matching Yes** More Print Quality Options ... Pixel Boost (monochrome printer feature) Yes RGB correction Yes Make negatives (mono printer feature) No Smooth images (mono printer feature) No  Make all text and images black (mono printer feature) No  Enable gray correction (mono printer feature) No  Enhance fine lines Yes ** Requires Color Printing installed under Properties/Install Options.
Other Options	Driver Feature Supported Watermark Yes (128 characters) Print & Hold Yes Overlay No Job Accounting with prompt options Yes Printer Status No More options ... Fonts - True Type: Automatic Download as bitmaps Download as Type 1 Download as Type 42 Yes PostScript - PostScript output format: Speed Portability Encapsulated PS Archive PostScript language level - (1,2,3) Yes Advanced options ... Print PostScript error information Yes Disable PostScript passthrough Yes
Fax	Settings: Enable Fax Always display settings prior to faxing Fax Number entry Dialing Prefix entry Phone Book access... (Accessed through driver or Lexmark Program Group.) Paper size selection  Station name Cover page
PS3 UPD Properties	UPD Properties Tabs Supported General Yes Sharing Yes Ports Enable bi-directional support - SUPPORTED Enable printer pooling - YES Yes Advanced Yes Color Management (Color Profiles) Yes Security Yes Install Options: Auto-printer peripheral configuration (Ask Printer functionality) - SUPPORTED upon driver installation or manually using Ask Printer. Printer memory (Ask Printer functionality) - SUPPORTED upon driver installation or manually using Ask Printer. NOTE: Includes Printer Hard Drives and A4 Width trays. Includes Fax installation. Required to perform driver fax from the PC. Yes   PostScript Options: Output protocol : ASCII-85 Tagged binary Advanced options: Send Ctrl+D at start of job Send Ctrl+D as end of job Yes Fax Settings: Always use these numbers dialog entry field Phone book access Dial Prefix entry   Yes

 

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Still Need Help?

Please see contact Lexmark for additional assistance. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number.

Please call from near the printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform  a task involving the printer.