Printing from an iPad without a WiFi Connection?

Question

Alright, gonna see if I can get a solid answer to the golden question, "Can you print from the iPad without having an active WiFi network?"
Just got a 3G iPad 2 for my uncle.  He loves it.  He wants to print, but lives in a very rural area, and they have never had internet before the iPad.  I have seen two possible answers, so maybe someone out there could clarify?
1.) Connect to a printer that has the ability to create an ad-hoc wireless network. One post referred to the HP Envy as a solution to this.
2.) Connect an airprint enabled printer (he bought an HP Photosmart 5514) to an AirPort Express and setup an ad-hoc wireless network.
     - I don't think #2 is possible, unless you can setup an ad-hoc wireless network using Apple's Airport Utility directly from the iPad and not a computer.
     - The printer my uncle bought (HP Photosmart 5514) IS on Apple's AirPrint supported list (with a firmware update perhaps?).
Just looking to clear the air and get an answer.  I was thinking of having him return the HP Photosmart and getting an HP Envy if this is a possibility.   That way, he can join the Envy's ad-hoc wireless network when he needed to print, and re-join the 3G network when he wanted to browse.
Hoping to figure this out for him! Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I have solved this exact requirement by purchasing an HP Photosmart 6520 wireless printer.  Works like a charm.
I have an iPad with 4G cellular, and I have no wireless router for Internet in the house.  My only Internet connection is 4G through Verizon cellular.  I have no wifi router, hence no wifi network.
The HP 6520 has a "Wireless Direct" mode, and the setup guide tells you exactly how to set it up for wireless printer if you have no wireless router.
You set up the wireless direct through the touchscreen menu, and the printer publishes its own SSID.
On the iPad, and also my iPhone, I connect to that wifi SSID.
Then using the iOS print apps in Mail, Safari, Photos, etc. - Print to the HP Photosmart and it works perfectly.
No router needed at all.
And the cool part, I can print Photos from the iPad or iPhone to the Photosmart, which has a nice 4x6 photo paper tray, and the Apps and printer are smart enough to send it directly to the photo paper (vs. the normal 8x11 paper).
And this particular printer will print 2-sided if you want it to, and this option is presented to you in the iPad and iPhone printer dialogue.
This printer was $110 at Best Buy.  I am quite a happy camper.  Getting one now for my mother also who has iPad with 4G but no wireless router.