Photo Quality Printer Driver Development and Maintenance
Client Profile
Our client is a major imaging brand and leading provider of high-volume photo printers used in production environments and premium photo shops worldwide. They emphasize robust support for a diverse range of capabilities and provide localized assistance tailored to each market.
Project Needs
The client engaged Everest Consultants to develop and maintain the Windows print driver for their new thermal photo printer.
Challenges
- 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.