HP Color LaserJet CP1215 and Mac OS X 10.7 (Update: 10.8 Mountain Lion)

In 2009 I got a HP Color LaserJet CP1215. Unfortunately this printer is not compatible with OS X. Three years ago I managed to install the printer by using open source tools and drivers. However, since I got a new MacBook Pro I needed to reinstall the printer and, of course, some things changed.

In order to remember the stuff I just did I will now shortly describe the process. However, I will not provide support if you struggle installing the printer.

If you upgraded to OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and your printer stopped working please see the update at the end of this article.

1. You need GCC to compile C code. In my opinion the best way to get GCC is to install Xcode from the Mac App Store. In Xcode you have to install the Command Line Tools (Preferences > Downloads > Components).
2. You also need Homebrew to install some libraries.
3. Open a Terminal window and install wget and gnu-sed.

   $ brew install wget
   $ brew install gnu-sed

4. Download and install Ghostscript, Foomatic RIP and HIPJS for Mac OS X.
5. Terminal:

   $ wget -O foo2zjs.tar.gz http://foo2zjs.rkkda.com/foo2zjs.tar.gz
   $ tar zxf foo2zjs.tar.gz
   $ cd foo2zjs
   $ make
   $ ./getweb 1215
   $ sudo make install
   $ sudo make cups
   $ cupsctl WebInterface=yes

6. Open the CUPS web interface: http://localhost:631
7. Add a printer by clicking on Adding Printers and Classes and then Add Printer. Enter your Mac OS X user name (must be an administrator) and your password.
8. Select the printer (I connected the printer to my AirPort Express and it showed up in the list automatically) and click the submit button.
9. Enter a name and description and submit the form again.
10. Select HP
11. Select HP Color LaserJet CP1215 Foomatic/foo2hp (en)
12. Click on Add Printer
13. Set Color Mode to Color and Bits Per Plane to 2 Bits Per Plane. Submit.
14. Done.