Let's assume that one has some modern HP printer and/or scanner which is supported by HPLIP package from official repository. Or supported by newer version of HPLIP package (see this answer about installation).
From official documentation (HP Developer Portal | All Supported Printer Models) it is known that device needs proprietary/binary driver or plugin.
How should one install such plugin?
For HPLIP from APT make sure that you have installed hplip-gui package. If it is not installed - install it with:
sudo apt-get install hplip-gui
According to official HP documentation we need to have HPLIP installed and then install binary plugin as follows.
To install the plug-in using the GUI you can follow these procedures:
Launch a command-line window and enter:
hp-setupSelect your connection type and click "Next".
Select your printer from "Selected Devices" list and click "Next".
Enter your root password when prompted and click "Next".
Use the recommended installation method and click "Next".
Check the box to accept with the "Driver Plug-In License Agreement" and click "Next".
Finish the installation of the printer as normal, however you may be prompted to re-enter your user name and password.
If you run into any additional install problems you can go to our known issues page and check for a solution.
For advanced users who wish to install HPLIP components manually, a utility exists (hp-plugin) which will download and install the plugin file, but it does not also install a printer queue like hp-setup does.
Do the following:
Launch a command-line window and enter:
hp-pluginFollow the directions above for navigating the GUI but remember that the printer queue will not be installed through this process.
As a complement to the main answer:
hp-setup
There is also
hp-toolbox
(it may need refreshing the printers list in order to show all info)
The scanner doesn't seem accessible though the above GUIs, so Simple Scan or alternatives are needed. -- There is Skanlite (cannot save to pdf), Xsane (I find it a bit complicated and oldish, but has a lot of options), VueScan (non-free).
I have just installed the following 5 packages on both Kubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint 19 systems and been able to print from my HP Laserjet P1505 printer after long trials.
Once you install them all using Muon or Synaptic or (sudo apt-get install), you are all set.
On new Ubuntu 19.10 there was a problem: the plug in not won't install no more.
I found a solution here by zaskar_84 user
I report this here using concrete command to realize it.
$ sudo mkdir -p {/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu,/usr/lib64/x86_64-linux-gnu}
$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib/sane /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/sane
$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib64/x86_64-linux-gnu /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu
$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib64/sane /usr/lib64/x86_64-linux-gnu/sane
$ hp-setup
Best regards to zaskar_84
Exec=sh -c 'STARTED_FROM_MENU=yes /usr/bin/hp-toolbox') which also provides options to add/remove printers but also many other options and info, like ink levels. – Oct 12 '18 at 13:23