Print Server - Cheapest cheap option for a cheap cheapskate

Ok here goes,

I don't understand printservers at all really

The issue is all the printers are hooked up in another room to SWMBOs computer, we have 3 printers (we don't need 3 printers, but apparently they are all good at different things), anyway on the rare occasion I need to print anything I have to send it to swmbo and she prints it, I don't know what she does but the document comes out looking like a draft copy, but short of me lugging the printer to the other end of the house its the only option.

I had a brainwave which was to get a little printserver thingie as there were some on trademe for about $20 a while back, but didn't get around to it. and now they are all way dearer than i want to spend (yes I am that cheap).

Anyway we have an Orcon Genius modem the white one, and it has a USB port, is this able to function as a print server?, otherwise our local op shop has dozens of late model modems (ISP supplied ones) for a few dollars each, is it a standard feature for USB ports on these to be able to work as print server thingies

Also are they compatible with all printers or are they brand specific, I don't want to spend much as it is a very rare occasion that I print stuff but it is a frustrating niggle, that it looks like crap when i am fairly sure it wasn't that terrible when I hook it to my computer