Though I also did find a few interesting links about people attempting to make FOSS printers earlier after getting inspired by this comment, which I share here now:
Honestly, that Open Tools one looks really interesting to me (it can be wall-mounted!!) but I can’t for the life of me figure out when the project was last updated to see if it’s currently active or defunct.
EDIT: Found a YouTube video by Open Tools. Uploaded Sep 23, 2025. Not beyond the realm of “still active,” but less than auspicious that there’s no newer videos.
That makes sense. Yeah, I’d love to see someone do that. If anyone ever turns up a project like that, even if it’s like five years after this comment was posted, feel free to share it here.
That’s only required for color printers though. I’d be fine with a FOSS B/W printer. Gotta start somewhere!
As would I!
Though I also did find a few interesting links about people attempting to make FOSS printers earlier after getting inspired by this comment, which I share here now:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/open-tools/open-printer
https://hackaday.io/project/167446-diy-inkjet-printer
Also a discussion on open source printer firmware here: https://hackaday.io/page/6176-why-is-there-no-open-source-firmware-for-laser-or-inkjet-printers
Honestly, that Open Tools one looks really interesting to me (it can be wall-mounted!!) but I can’t for the life of me figure out when the project was last updated to see if it’s currently active or defunct.
EDIT: Found a YouTube video by Open Tools. Uploaded Sep 23, 2025. Not beyond the realm of “still active,” but less than auspicious that there’s no newer videos.
I actually had that printer in mind, but I wish there was an available FOSS laser printer.
That makes sense. Yeah, I’d love to see someone do that. If anyone ever turns up a project like that, even if it’s like five years after this comment was posted, feel free to share it here.
You won’t need me to. You’ll hear about the project lead’s assasination on a parking lot by HP on the news.