I think you best use the printer manager or you would have to handle the communication/formating with the printer i.e. PCL5/6/UFRII/PS etc. I think your application will need to get what the printer supports and based on that information process the information prior to sending it through to the printer.
this path is full of pit falls.
using your favorite search engine look for VB access to LPT1.
You should have an object within visual studio that provides you for communication to printer/serial ports.
