this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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CUPS is the UNIX (i.e. both Linux AND Mac) print software. For some reason it's maintained by Apple.
So chances are if a printer works on Mac (which it will), it'll also work on Linux (which it does).
You only need to find the right "print driver" which is actually just a preset for CUPS. Scrolling the list can be quite annoying if you don't know where to look, as it's highly unlikely to find your exact model listed (which doesn't mean others won't work - they will. It's just hit or miss sometimes if the autodetect doesn't work).
That being said, if you're shopping for a printer and have the ability to choose, try checking the manufacturer support website for "Linux drivers" (i.e. ppd files). Most should turn something up.
Hasn't been for a few years now, the maintained fork is OpenPrinting CUPS.