Know the ink levels of your printer with these applications

While most printers of any type they usually bring their disk with their installation components (mostly for Windows), with which we obtain greater control over our device, as well as information.

En the case of linux it's a little different since we usually resort to CUPS to use our printer on our system, but an essential function it is not usually implemented and is knowing the ink level.

That is why I looked for information about it and found some applications that help us with it.

When I bought my laptop it came with it a gift ink printer, quite simple, but in the end and I finish it fulfills its main function without the greatest setback, since I do not require special functions or printing on any special paper is perfect for homework.

Without further ado, refilling the cartridges of this type of printer is extremely simple, although I always end up with my hands full of ink.

inc

Una of those known and used by most users, this tool is handled on the terminal, just run a simple command and it will show us the percentage remaining ink that we have in each color.

To install, just type on the terminal:

sudo apt-get install ink

To execute it we type:

ink -p usb

scputil

This another tool that also works on the terminal, so it does not have a graphical interface, it is intended to work for Epson printers.

In addition to providing information about the ink levels of the cartridges also with it we can adjust printing patterns, it also allows us to calibrate heads and more.

To install it, just open the terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install escputil

For its use, we must use the following command, where lp * is the USB port where our printer is connected, commonly it is usually lp0 or lp1

sudo escputil -i -u -r /dev/usb/lp*

If we want to know the supported models:

sudo escputil -M

If we wish clean the heads:

sudo escputil -c -u -r /dev/usb/lp*

To print a nozzle check pattern:

sudo escputil -n -u -r /dev/usb/lp*

Inkblot

This application Unlike the previous ones, if it has a graphical interface. InkBlot will show us the ink levels globally (Black and Color) and also separately displays the levels of these.

To install, just type on the terminal:

sudo apt install inkblot

It is essential that our user is part of the lp group, if not, just add it with the following commands:

adduser TU_USUARIO lp

adduser TU_USUARIO lpadmin

MTink

It is another tool with a graphical interface with which we can know the ink levels of our printerWith it, we can also show the amount of remaining ink, check the cartridge heads as well as clean them.

For its installation we only have to execute:

sudo apt-get install mtink

To run the application, it is done as follows:

sudo mtink

Where in the first start it will ask us to choose the port where the printer is connected and then it will show us the ink levels.

HPLIP

This application also has a graphical interface and is specially designed for HP printers, provides full functionality for printing on most HP SFP ink printers.

In addition, also supports laser printers, scanning, faxing, and accessing memory cards in most printers HP MFP (multifunction peripherals).

HPLIP works bi-directionally since the printer sends and feeds itself with the help of CUPS.

To install this application, just open the terminal and execute the following command:

sudo apt install hplip-gui

In the end, I can only say that all these options are good, you just have to define what we are looking for, if it is for something simple or that has additional functions.

If you know of another that we can mention, do not hesitate to share it in the comments.