cat [filename] > /dev/lp lp [switches] [filename] lp somefile.txt

The esiest way to print is to copy directly to a print device. One could...

...the catch is only root can do it this way. A more elegant solution is to use lp. lpr, lprm or lpq to access a printer.

lp [options ] [filename ] cat [filename] > lp

lp is the print command... i.e. Line Printer. Example:

You can also redirect a file into lp...

If no filename is given lp will take input from stdin, usually the keyboard.

lp and lpr are the similar commands as the man pages indicate with slightly different command line switches.

$ lpq HP_LaserJet_1022 is ready no entries

lpq displays information about the print queues. No arguments displays information about the default print queue.

Other options are:

Option	Description
-a	Reports jobs on all printers.
-E	Forces encryption when connecting to the server.
-h server[:port]	Specifies an alternate server.
-l	Requests a more verbose (long) reporting format.
-P destination[/instance]	Specifies an alternate printer or class name.
-U username	Specifies an alternate username.

lprm i.e. Line Printer ReMove is used to delete or cancel print jobs from a queue. With no options lprm cancels the latest job from the default printer. Other options are:

Option	Description
-E	Forces encryption when connecting to the server.
-h server[:port]	Specifies an alternate server.
-P destination[/instance]	Specifies the destination printer or class.
-U username	Specifies an alternate username.

lpstat -d -p lpstat -a lpoptions -d [printername]

This error means you haven't assigned a default printer. To get a list of available printers on the local machine...

To get a list of available network printers...

To assign a default printer (device) to your system...