We have a router and home wifi, but we have no desktop hooked up to it. We have various tablets and laptops instead. Can we have a wireless printer on this type of setup?

Most likely, if your printer supports wireless network connection.
Look up "IPP wireless printing".

I was just wondering how to install any necessary drivers without a desktop hooked up to the router. Do drivers get installed to a computer or the printer?

FWIW, we use three different operating systems and would like to print from all our devices.

Printer drivers are installed on the computer/laptop/device. Both printer and desktop need to be connected on the same network so they can talk to each other.

Depending on your printer model you may need to connect the printer first to a computer via usb cable for example so as to be able to use the printer software to apply wifi settings to your printer, such as IP address or other network settings. Your printer manual should say if this is needed and all the necessary steps on how to do it.

Once the printer is configured and on the network with an IP address, you then add it on your device(s) as a network printer.

Do a search for IPP wireless printing, on first page you ll get steps on how to do this for different OSs'.

I'm LOLbad at this kind of stuff, yet was able to set up an not very expensive HP Wireless printer to work with two laptops and two iPads without any issue. Has worked well since then. You should be fine.

I have this printer. It is set up for wireless use. Set up was no big deal.

I use an iPhone & iPad to print wirelessly with Apple's AirPrint.

And, right now, the price is great, at $59.99!

http://www.staples.com/Dell-E514DW-M...roduct_1667714

Also, I am using this toner cartridge, which works well, and this price is also great!

http://www.inkcartridges.com/product...160423121253:s

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2472366,00.asp

http://sea.pcmag.com/printers/3609/f...reless-printer