Universal Print Driver Version 'UPD' 2.0

The UPD's purpose is to equip network administrators, and those setting up multiple printers, with a standardized one-driver solution.

This driver combines multiple printer drivers' attributes into a single PCL or PS driver, which significantly reduces installation times and simplifies driver configuration processes. 

Additional Reference

Click here for the Universal Print Driver's main page. (English Only)

Article Contents

• Universal Printer Driver Details
  • Printer Support and Operating System Support
  • Driver Availability
    
  • Data Stream Support
  • Architecture
  • Connectivity
  • Installation Methods
  • Options and Peripheral Detection
  • Microsoft Certification
• Benefits of the UPD
  
• Is this driver for you?
• Available Settings Under Printing Preferences
• Available Settings Under Printer Properties
  
• Previous UPD 1.6.2 information

 
Universal Printer Driver Details

Operating and Printer Compatibility List	Click here to view the lists of supported Operating System support and Lexmark Device Compatibility. (English only)
Driver availability	Click here for the full Administrators driver package. Or, select your product via Lexmark.com and follow the "Downloads" path for individual "Add Printer" printer emulation drivers; e.g., PS, PCL, or HBP.
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) Standard install – Installation of basic features, including the PCL XL driver Custom install – You choose the driver language or features that are compatible with your printer or that best suites your needs; 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 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.
Connectivity	Microsoft Standard TCP/IP ports Lexmark Enhanced TCP/IP ports LPR ports USB Web Services ports if available in operating system
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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 Potential benefits of using the universal driver include: 

• Standard for nearly all currently marketed printers; however, exceptions include any host-based printers (HBPs) that 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 for new printer options or add-on printer attachments that are connected to the printer
• 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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Is this 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 non-supported printer.
• You need a certain advanced driver feature not yet available with the universal printer driver (UPD).

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'Printing Preferences' Features

The tables below provide a summary of supported settings for each driver type. Press Ctrl + F on your keyboard to perform a search to locate a setting.

A '' indicates the driver emulation supports this feature or setting.

Printing Preference tabs

1. Layout 
2. Paper/Finishing
3. Quality
4. Watermark
5. Overlay (PCL)
6. Print and Hold
7. Other Options

1. Layout tab

Features under "Layout" tab	PCL XL	PS
Collation
Reverse page order (Formerly "Last Page First")
Orientation
Rotate 180
Print on both sides* (Duplex)
Page Layout:
Multiple pages per side (N-Up)
Booklet
Poster
Mirror
Print & Load Custom and Eco Settings

* Requires duplex option installed under Properties/Install Options and a capable printer.

2. Paper/Finishing tab

'Driver' Feature	PCL XL	PS
Paper size
Resize options: None, Fit to paper size, Mirror	,	,,
Paper type
Paper source/tray
Under Finishing
Output bin selection
Staple (Front, Back, Dual, Dual Double)	*
Offset (On, Off)	*
Hole punch (optional 2 hole punch)	*
Fold (PostScript driver only)	*
More Input Options: Front or Back cover source selection   First and last page source selection

* Requires Finisher option installed under Printer Properties > Install Options (Configuration); 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.  

3. Quality tab  

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Custom (default) or presets for Text, Text/Photo, Photo
600 dpi n models
1200 IQ
2400 IQ
4800 CQ
Enhance fine lines: Use printer setting, On, Off
Edit Color Correction
Edit Color Balance
Edit Color Matching
Toner darkness (adjustable)
Print text as black
Print in Black & White	**
ColorSaver	**
RGB (Color) Correction: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation	**
Pixel Boost (monochrome feature)
Gray correction (monochrome printers)
Make negatives
Smooth images

 ** Requires Color Printing installed under Printer Properties > Install Options (Configuration) 

4. Watermark tab

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Use same watermarks on all pages.
Use different watermarks on the first page.
Use different watermarks on odd/even pages.
Edit Watermarks.

5.  Overlay tab

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Use same overlay on all pages.
Use different overlay on the first page.
Use different overlay on odd/even pages.
Overlay placement.

6. Print and Hold

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Use logged-in user name.
Keep duplicate documents.
Confidential Print (PIN).
Verify Print.
Reserve Print.
Repeat Print.

7. Other Options

Feature	PCL XL	PS
TrueType Fonts as:
Bitmaps each character
Automatically select
Bitmaps full image
Outlines*
Adobe Type 1 Fonts*
Adobe Type 42 Fonts
Account Tracking
Metafile spooling (Auto, Off, On)

 * Default Factory Setting

Additional PostScript options under Other Options

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'Printer Properties' (Properties) Features

Press Ctrl + F on your keyboard to perform a search to locate a setting.

The UPD's Printer Properties consist of the following tabs:

1. General
2. Sharing
3. Ports
4. Advanced
5. Color Management
6. Security
7. Configuration
8. PostScript
9. Fax
10. About

A '' indicates the driver supports this feature or setting.

1.  General

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Location entry
Comment entry
Model, Features, Paper Available messaging
Quick-link to Preferences
Print Test Page

2. Sharing

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Share this printer.
Render print jobs on client printers.
List in the directory.
Additional Drivers...

3. Ports

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Port Selection
Add Port...
Detect Port
Configure Port
Enable bidirectional support
Enable printer spooling

4. Advanced

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Always available
Driver/New Driver...
Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster
Start printing after last page is spooled
Start printing immediately
Print directly to printer
Hold mismatched documents
Print spooled documents first
Keep printed documents
Enable advanced printing features
Printing Defaults... Preferences
Print Processor
Separator Page

5. Color Management 

Both PCL XL and PS drivers have this tab.

6. Security

Both PCL XL and PS divers have this tab.

7. Configuration (Options)

Feature	PCL XL	PS
Update Configuration from Printer: Enabled or Disabled
Update Configuration "On Properties Open"
Update Configuration "On port change"
Update Now – Ask Printer to query printer for peripherals installed
Set Printer Model...(Automatic or Manual)
Installed/Configuration Options list
Language
Form to Tray Assignment configuration
Page Protection
Show all system forms
Collation performance: Printer or host based

8. Postscript (PostScript UPD only)

• Output Protocol: Tagged Binary or ASCII-85
• Advanced Options: Send Ctrl-D at start or end of job

9. Fax (PostScript UPD only)

Available to MFPs with PostScript driver only; the Fax or Fax Only configuration will have to be selected in order for this tab to appear.

Entry for the following fax configuration settings:

• Group faxes
• Phonebook
• Dialing prefix
• Import fax contacts via CSV file or Windows Address Book .WAB file
• Edit, remove, or add individual contacts

10. About

Driver versions, for example: Lexmark Universal v2 PS3, 2.2.1.0, Copyright 1997-2011 Lexmark International, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Previous UPD 1.6.2 Information

Click here for the UPD 1.6.2 version of this article

Click here for 1.6.2 release notes.

Click here for the UPD v1.6 White Paper.

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Still Need Help?

If you require additional assistance, please see Contact information. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need your printer model/machine type and serial number (SN).

Please be near the products described in this article to expedite the support process and reduce call-back situations.