looks like you're using the BSD-lpd versions of the tools (which are in
/usr/bin). You have to use the cups version of these tools, which are
installed in /usr/pkg/bin
Now that you have cups installed you can safely remove the lp* tools in
/usr/bin. This is what I do on my machines

You don't need lpd when using cups. Don't try to start it

I tried that, and noticed that the error message went away, but it 
didn't seem to solve the problem, so I turned it on again.


What I finally did:

I couldn't think of anything else to do, so I tried the command line 
tools lpoption (to set the default printer) and lpadmin (to apply the 
ppd file).
Next, per your suggestion, I deleted the lp*tools in /usr/bin, turned 
LPD off (again), and restarted cupsd.

The good news:
1. the "dev/lp..." and "lp: unknown printer" errors disappeared.
2. "lpr -P Epson" now shows up in the printer configuration box when I 
try to print from an application.

The bad news:

Now I get to try different lp?0/ppd file combinations to see which one 
will actually print.

(Which isn't really bad news at all)

Not being able to print would have been a deal-breaker in terms of using 
NetBSD as an alternative to Windows.

Thank you so much for your help.

Richard L. Dery