Printer Sharing vs Print Server

[melvin]

Just need some advice on a print server vs printer sharing on a network with about 8 macs, at the moment we have three printers that are shared through one user on the network, we are looking at upgrading to a gigabit ethernet and was wondering wether a printer server would be better, faster than running printer sharing like we have now!?

[Cheryl]

A Printer server would probably be faster - especially on ethernet.

[gsahli]

Yes, a print server will be faster. Be sure to consider which printers have drivers that will work via print server. Postscript printers - mostly no problem. Inkjet - Epson, Canon, Lexmark - manufacturer-provided drivers don't usually support network printing. HP inkjets - always support appletalk and frequently support special HP protocols on HP's servers.
These open-source drivers all provide network printing capability:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/

Come back if you have specific questions.