How to Find Printer PPD File Location on Ubuntu 24.04

GNU/Linux Ubuntu 24.04 CUPS PPD File Location

Hi! This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on How to Search and Find the Printer CUPS PPD File Location on Ubuntu 24.04 Noble LTS GNU/Linux Desktop.

And the Printer PPD Driver on Ubuntu Noble is needed for most Recent Laser Printers, but it may be Used to Install Any Printer!

Here are some Key Points about CUPS PPD files:

• Printer Description: A PPD file contains information about the printer’s capabilities, such as supported resolutions, paper sizes, input trays, and finishing options. It essentially describes the printer’s features to the printing system.
• Compatibility: While PPD files are commonly associated with PostScript printers, they can also be used with non-PostScript printers. CUPS translates the information in the PPD file into a format that the printer can understand, allowing for compatibility with various printer models.
• Human-Readable: PPD files are typically written in plain text and are human-readable. They are written in a structured format using the PostScript Printer Description Language, which includes keywords and parameters to define the printer’s capabilities and settings.
• Customization: Users can modify PPD files to customize printer settings or add support for additional features not included in the default configuration. However, editing PPD files requires some knowledge of the file structure and the printer’s capabilities.
• Driverless Printing: With advancements in printing technology and standards like IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), some modern printers support driverless printing, eliminating the need for PPD files. In such cases, the printer’s capabilities are communicated directly to the printing system without the use of PPD files.
• IPP Everywhere: IPP Everywhere is a standard developed by the Internet Printing Protocol Workgroup (PWG) that aims to simplify printing by allowing printers to advertise their capabilities over the network using IPP. While PPD files are still used in some cases, IPP Everywhere-compatible printers can provide a driverless printing experience.

Especially relevant, the Valid PPD File’s Exensions are:

• .ppd
• .PPD
• .ppd.gz
• .PPD.gz
• .PPD.GZ
• .gz

1. 1. Launching Terminal

   How to QuickStart with Command Line on Ubuntu

   Bash Shell Ubuntu QuickStart Guide

   Getting-Started with Command Line on Ubuntu

2. 2. Locating Printer PPD File

   Then to Locate PPD File on Ubuntu Easily
   Make use of the locate Command.
   How to Quick Start with locate GNU/Linux CLI Tool

   locate Ubuntu Initial Setup

   Getting Started with locate on Ubuntu GNU/Linux
   So try with:

   locate -i '.ppd'

   Then to refine the Search Results use:

   locate -i ".ppd" | grep -i [keyword]

   As [keyword] use some Printer Model KeyWord as Eg: xp, mp, 107…
   If you Cannot Find it then see if the File have a simple .gz Extension Looking for it up with:

   locate -i ".gz" | grep -i [keyword]

   Finally, by default most Printers PPD Files are Stored on Ubuntu under:

   /usr/share/ppd