I am often called to engage in a client’s printing issues with their Citrix environment. Nearly every single time, the problem is directly linked to a driver version, or the lack of process control in the purchasing process causing a need to support non-compliant printer drivers. I am writing my rules here because I tire of repeating them so regularly.

A shout out to Stacy Million as some of this is a result of prior work done by her. Credit where credit is due.

Now the list, in no particular order.

Citrix client versions are important. Try to maintain your Citrix client versions to the fewest number possible.

Try to always use the Universal Print Driver option. If it does not provide the needed functionality, then use the native drivers provided on the Microsoft install media for the OS in use.

Any purchase decisions about a large order of new print devices should include a period of time to test compatibility of the drivers with the Citrix environment.

Ultimately, stable TS/Citrix printing is almost exclusively ensured by tight driver control on both the server and client. In any enterprise Citrix environment, a driver testing and validation process is a must.

Drivers to use in order of best to worst

Universal Print Driver

Native OS PS Drivers

Native OS PCL, and PCL5 Drivers

OEM PCL, PS, and PCL5 Drivers

NO PCL6 DRIVERS!!!

(I know of no technical reason, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t always PCL6)

There’s the simple list of do/don’t. I have other pearls of wisdom to offer as well.

Make sure to get a driver validation process in place for your TS/Citrix farm.

Consider a driver repository for validated drivers.

Get a hold of your printer purchasing if possible. The number of enterprises that don’t do this is staggering. Common hardware is easier to deal with.

I hope this missive may find the people who need it.

Simple process changes like this are easy to forget when we technical types get heads down with a problem.