How to Install Epson Printers on Arch Linux: A General Guide

Setting up an Epson printer or all-in-one device on Arch Linux is straightforward. This guide will walk you through installing the necessary drivers from the Arch User Repository (AUR), configuring the CUPS printing service, and getting your scanner working.

⚙️ Install the Printer Driver

Most modern Epson inkjet printers are supported by the epson-inkjet-printer-escpr driver, which is available on the AUR. Start with this package.

First, ensure you have an AUR helper like yay installed. If you don’t, you can install it with:

sudo pacman -S yay

Next, use your AUR helper to install the printer driver:

yay -S epson-inkjet-printer-escpr

This package provides the necessary driver for CUPS to recognize and communicate with your printer.

Note: After installing, proceed to the CUPS configuration step. If you cannot find your printer model, you may need the newer epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2 driver. You can install it with:

yay -S epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2

🖨️ Install and Configure CUPS

CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) is the standard printing system for Linux. If it’s not already installed, you can add it with Pacman.

1. Install CUPS

   sudo pacman -S cups
   

2. Start and Enable the CUPS Service
   Run the following command to ensure CUPS is always running:

   sudo systemctl enable --now cups
   

3. Add Your Printer via the Web Interface
   Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:631.
   • Go to the Administration tab.
   • Click Add Printer.
   • You will be prompted for your system username and password.
   • Your Epson printer should be automatically discovered. Select it and follow the on-screen steps to complete the setup.

📄 Install the Scanner Driver and Software

For all-in-one devices, you need to install a separate driver and application to use the scanner.

1. Install the Scanner Driver
   The epsonscan2 package provides the official Epson Scan 2 utility, which supports a wide range of models.

   yay -S epsonscan2
   

2. Install the Non-Free Plugin (Recommended)
   For full functionality and to unlock all features of your scanner, install the non-free plugin:

   yay -S epsonscan2-non-free-plugin
   

3. Test Your Scanner
   Launch the Epson Scan 2 application from your application menu or by running the following command in your terminal:

   epsonscan2
   

   The application should automatically detect your scanner and allow you to start scanning.

Alternative Scanning Software

While epsonscan2 is the official application, you can also use other popular scanning programs on Linux. These applications should work seamlessly once the drivers are installed:

• Skanlite: A simple and lightweight scanning utility for KDE Plasma.
• Simple Scan: A user-friendly scanning application for GNOME.
• XSane: A more advanced scanning tool with a wide range of features for power users.