GoKawiilDeveloper turns Xteink X3 e-reader into a Wi-Fi printer using IPP
A hobbyist bought the Xteink X3 e-ink display for its programmability and, frustrated by having to upload files through a clunky hotspot-based web page, decided to make it work like an actual printer. By implementing the Internet Printing Protocol and advertising the device as an AirPrint-compatible printer named 'penguin' via Bonjour, they enabled sending documents directly from a MacBook's Print dialog to the e-ink screen.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project shows how open protocols like IPP and mDNS can repurpose consumer gadgets far beyond their intended use, turning a niche e-reader into a functional printer without proprietary drivers. It's a reminder that hackable hardware paired with well-documented standards can unlock capabilities manufacturers never advertised.
- The Xteink X3 e-ink reader is fully programmable via CrossPoint firmware.
- Implementing IPP and Bonjour let the device appear as a native AirPrint printer on macOS.
- Driverless discovery on macOS required bypassing Arduino's mDNS wrapper to access ESP-IDF APIs directly.
Waveshare 7.5" E-Ink Display HAT for Raspberry Pi — If this hacker's programmable e-ink printer project made you want to tinker, Waveshare's e-paper HAT is the classic starting point: a crisp monochrome panel that pairs with a Raspberry Pi and plenty of open-source driver code. It's the kind of hardware that invites custom firmware, boot animations, and odd protocols like IPP.
See Waveshare 7.5" E-Ink Display HAT for Raspberry Pi on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: nishantjosh.dev, 2026-09-08
Published there as: “How to Build a Printer”
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