Photo Quality Printer Driver Development and Maintenance
Client Profile
Our client is a globally recognized leader in imaging solutions, renowned for its high-volume photo printers deployed in production environments and premium photo retail outlets. With a legacy of innovation and a strong international presence, the client faced the challenge of maintaining backward compatibility for long-standing customers while introducing advanced features for modern markets.
Objective
The primary goal is to design and deliver a robust Windows print driver for the client’s thermal photo printer series. Key objectives included:
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Achieve seamless integration across legacy Windows platforms (Windows 2000, 7) and modern versions (Windows 8.1, 10, 11), while supporting multiple architectures including x86, x64, and ARM64 for future scalability.
- Multi-Model & Multi-Environment Support: Enable robust functionality for diverse printer models and image formats, ensuring smooth operation in multi-printer environments without performance degradation.
- Enhanced User Experience: Deliver superior print quality with advanced customization options such as dynamic color adjustments, finish selections, and intuitive error handling—empowering end-users with flexibility and control.
- Global Readiness: Incorporate localization and internationalization features to meet the needs of a worldwide customer base.
- Compliance: Achieve WHQL certification for reliability and compliance.
Solution
Everest Consultants delivered a comprehensive, future-ready solution:
- Technology Stack: Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit, Visual studio Installer ,WHQL (HCK/HLK), WinDbg, Device Test Manager (DTM).
- Dual Architecture: Built V3 (legacy) and V4 (modern XPS-based) drivers for full OS coverage.
- Feature Innovations:
- Multiple print sizes (4×6, 5×7, 6×8, 5×15, 6×20, panoramic).
- Finish options: Glossy & Satin.
- Advanced color controls: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Gamma, RGB.
- Real-time error alerts (paper jams, cover open, mechanical issues).
- Global localization for international markets.
- Quality Assurance: Rigorous testing and WHQL certification ensured stability and compliance.
- DevOps Modernization:
- Source Control Migration: Successfully transitioned Client’s codebase from TFS to Azure DevOps Git, preserving complete version history.
- DevOps Benefits:
- Improved collaboration and CI/CD readiness.
- Enhanced scalability for future development.
- Better Performance Optimization with Reduced overhead compared to legacy TFS, improving developer productivity.
Benefits
- Enhanced User Experience: Delivered exceptional print quality and expanded image size options, improving customer satisfaction.
- Operational Stability: Resolved firmware conflicts across multiple Windows versions, ensuring smooth performance.
- Broad Compatibility: Achieved seamless integration across 32-bit and 64-bit systems, simplifying deployment for diverse environments.
- Market Readiness: Positioned the client to meet global demand with a solution tailored for both legacy and modern ecosystems.
Conclusion
Everest Consultants successfully engineered a feature-rich, cross-platform Windows driver that balanced legacy support with modern functionality. Through meticulous development and testing, the solution improved print quality, resolved critical compatibility issues, and enhanced operational efficiency. This achievement provides a strong foundation for future DevOps-driven optimizations, reinforcing the client’s leadership in the imaging industry.
- Support for Various Image Sizes and Formats
The new printer had to accommodate modern imaging requirements ranging from small selfie-sized images to large panoramic formats. - Legacy System Support
The existing customer base included users on older Windows systems. The new printer was required to replace aging printer models in the existing customer base, while simultaneously expanding support to new users with the latest Windows systems. - Compatibility Across Other Printer Models in Multi-printer Environments
Support different print resolutions for identical page sizes when multiple printer models are installed on the same host system. QA required an extensive cross-driver testing matrix in a multi-printer driver environment.
Technology and Tools
- Development Environment: Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit, MS Visual C++, WHQL HCK and HLK.
- Operating Systems: Windows 7 x64, 7 x86, 8.1 x64, 8.1 x86, 10 x64, 10 x86, 11 x64 and 2000 server.
- Tracking and Testing: JIRA (bug tracking), WinDbg, Device Test Manager (DTM)
Results
Leveraging our expertise in printer and device driver development, Everest Consultants successfully addressed the needs of the new printer model on both legacy and modern Windows systems, while maintaining the client’s older printers. Key outcomes included:
Enhanced User Experience
Expanded printed image sizes with improved print quality and user satisfaction while ensuring compatibility with Microsoft driver architectures.
Firmware Issue Resolution
The team assisted the client with resolving firmware issues related to interactions between print drivers and various Windows operating systems.
Feature-Rich Drivers
The drivers included:
High-quality and high-speed image printing
Robust performance tailored for the photo-imaging industry
Increased localization support for international business opportunities
Compatibility with both legacy and future Windows 32- and 64-bit systems
Options for glossy or satin finishes
Support for multiple print sizes (including 4×6, 5×7, 6×8, 5×15, 6×20, and panoramas)
Dynamic color adjustment settings (brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma, RGB)
User notifications for printer errors, such as open covers, paper shortages or mechanical issues
Everest's Expertise
With over 25 years of experience and a global team of experts, Everest delivers innovative solutions for client success. Whether it’s custom application development, engineering services, or offshore outsourcing, Everest empowers businesses to optimize their operations and achieve their goals.