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Problem:
I am trying to print to a local printer from a remote Windows PC via my RDC (Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection), but the local printer connected to my Mac doesn't show up in the print dialog. What's wrong?

Solution:

The problem here is that Microsoft's RDC can only print to local postscript-compatible printers. If your local printer is not postscript-compatible (and most inkjets and laser printers that cost less than $300 are not), then RDC can't access it.

However, there is a solution available: install the free software that lets your non-postscript printer act like a postscript printer.

You can make just about any printer appear to be postscript compatible by installing Ghostscript, a free and open source postscript emulator, and by using the correct driver for your printer. By using Ghostscript, your local printer will appear to OS X (and therefore RDC) as a full-fledged postscript printer, allowing you to print from your remote PC via a RDC session.

A side benefit is that you now have a postscript-compatible printer, allowing you to take advantage of the advanced layout options in Quark Xpress, Adobe InDesign and other graphic design applications.

Here are instructions for making just about any printer postscript-compatible, and therefore compatible with RDC:

1. Download and install ESP Ghostscript (direct link), also available here.
2. Download and install the Gimp-Print driver collection (direct link) (see the list of supported printers)
3. Add the new printer: open System Preferences > Print & Fax
4. Add a printer by clicking [+]
5. Select your local printer
6. Select a compatible Gimp-Print driver using the pull-down menus
7. Add your printer by clicking "Add". Congratulations. You now have a Postcript-compatible printer attached to your computer
8. Try it out: Start up RDC, select Options > Local Resources > and tick the "Printers" checkbox
9. Connect to your remote PC and you should now be able to print.

More information: http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/hpijs/

Note:

• Technically, Ghostscript is already installed on OS X 10.2 and above but it seems to be incorrectly set up for our purposes. I've found that reinstalling is necessary.
• RDC uses the Terminal Services - I don't know if this is a solution for printing remotely with other Terminal Services clients.