foo2hbpl2-wrapper

foo2hbpl2-wrapper [OPTIONS] [PSFILE]

-z0|-z1|-z2|-z3
    Set compression: 0=none, 1=delta, 2=TIFF, 3=advanced

-pmedia
    Paper size, e.g. letter, a4, legal, executive

-Px,y
    Page size in points (e.g. -P612,792 for letter)

-ncopies
    Number of copies to print

-dduplex
    Duplex mode: 0=none, 1=long-edge, 2=short-edge

-e0|-e1
    Economy mode: 0=off, 1=on (toner save)

-rxres,yres
    Resolution, e.g. 600x600, 1200x600

-sgamma
    Gamma correction value (0.1-4.0)

-mmodel
    Printer model, e.g. LJ1100, LJ2200

Ghostscript options
    Pass-thru like -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -dQUIET

The foo2hbpl2-wrapper is a command-line utility from the foo2zjs package, serving as a driver wrapper for HP LaserJet printers using HBPL/2 (HP Bitstream Printer Language version 2). It converts PostScript input to the printer's native HBPL/2 format, enabling printing on supported monochrome LaserJet models like certain LaserJet 1xxx/2xxx series.

It integrates with Ghostscript for rendering, accepting standard Ghostscript options prefixed with -d or -s, while providing printer-specific options for media, resolution, and compression. Primarily used in CUPS printing systems via PPD files, it supports duplexing, multiple copies, and economy modes on compatible hardware.

Ideal for Linux users lacking official HP drivers, it requires the foo2hbpl2 driver firmware loaded via hotplug. Output is typically piped to lpr or written to a file for direct printer sending.

Requires foo2hbpl2 firmware in /usr/share/foo2zjs; may need usb_modeswitch for USB printers. Not all HBPL/2 printers fully supported; test with foo2hbpl2-testprint. Ghostscript version >=9.0 recommended.

Firmware auto-loaded by udev rules; manual: foo2hbpl2 -P <printer> to probe/upload.

Use with foo2hbpl2-hpijs.ppd; install via foomatic-rip for seamless lp usage.

Developed by Otto Halibuzek and Harry N. VanSickel as part of the open-source foo2zjs project (2003+), initially for HP's non-PostScript ZJS printers but extended to HBPL/2. Integrated into major distros via foo2zjs package; active maintenance through 2020s on GitHub.

foo2zjs-wrapper(1), foo2hbpl2(1), gs(1), lp(1)