Are you sure theres not already a driver available ? What printer do you have ?
The Linux Printing website can tell you if there are drivers available and can generate .ppd files for a lot of printers as well.
http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi
a .ppd file is a text file full of instructions, specifications, dimensions, capabilities of your printer. I don't think it needs to be 'compiled' you could write one by hand using a text editor and the .ppd spec from adobe, provided your printer has the proper capabilities.
