Folder2Print

Automatically print PDF files from a watched folder. When a PDF file is synchronized/copied to the configured folder, it will be sent to the printer automatically.

Features

• Folder Monitoring: Watches a folder for new PDF files
• Automatic Printing: Sends new files to a configured printer
• Sync-Safe: Waits for files to be fully written before printing
• File Management: Option to move or delete files after printing
• Configurable: JSON configuration file for all settings
• Logging: Detailed logging to console and file

Requirements

• Windows 10/11
• Python 3.8+
• Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader (recommended for acrobat print method)

Installation

1. Install Python dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

2. List available printers:

   python folder2print.py --list-printers

3. Edit config.json with your settings:

   • watch_folder: The folder to monitor for PDF files
   • printer_name: The printer to use (leave empty for default printer)

Configuration

Edit config.json:

{
    "watch_folder": "C:\\Sync\\PDFs",
    "printer_name": "HP LaserJet Pro",
    "check_interval_seconds": 1,
    "delete_after_print": false,
    "move_after_print": true,
    "printed_folder": "printed",
    "file_extensions": [".pdf"],
    "print_delay_seconds": 2,
    "move_delete_delay_seconds": 60,
    "print_method": "acrobat",
    "acrobat_path": "C:\\Program Files\\Adobe\\Acrobat DC\\Acrobat\\Acrobat.exe"
}

Configuration Options

Option	Description	Default
watch_folder	Folder path to monitor for new files	Required
printer_name	Printer name (use --list-printers to see options)	Default printer
check_interval_seconds	How often to check for changes	1
delete_after_print	Delete files after printing	false
move_after_print	Move files to subfolder after printing	true
printed_folder	Subfolder name for printed files	"printed"
file_extensions	File types to monitor	[".pdf"]
print_delay_seconds	Extra delay before printing (for sync)	2
move_delete_delay_seconds	Delay before moving/deleting after print	60
print_method	Printing method: acrobat or shellexecute	"acrobat"
acrobat_path	Path to Acrobat executable (auto-detected if empty)	Auto-detect

Print Methods

acrobat (recommended): Uses Adobe Acrobat/Reader command line (/t switch) for reliable silent printing. The path is auto-detected from common installation locations, or you can specify it manually.

Common Acrobat paths:

• Acrobat DC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\Acrobat.exe
• Acrobat Reader DC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe

shellexecute: Uses Windows ShellExecute with the "print" verb. Works with any PDF application but may show dialogs.

Usage

Run manually:

python folder2print.py

Run with custom config:

python folder2print.py myconfig.json

List available printers:

python folder2print.py --list-printers

Run at Windows Startup (Autostart)

Option 1: Startup Folder

1. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, press Enter
2. Create a shortcut to run_folder2print.bat in that folder

Option 2: Task Scheduler

1. Open Task Scheduler
2. Create Basic Task
3. Trigger: "When I log on"
4. Action: Start a program
5. Program: pythonw.exe
6. Arguments: "C:\GitHub\folder2print\folder2print.py"
7. Start in: C:\GitHub\folder2print

Option 3: Using pythonw.exe (no console window)

pythonw.exe folder2print.py

Logging

Logs are written to:

• Console output (when running manually)
• folder2print.log file in the script directory

Troubleshooting

"No printers found"

• Ensure you have at least one printer installed
• Run --list-printers to verify

"File not ready after timeout"

• The file may still be syncing
• Increase print_delay_seconds in config

"Acrobat executable not found"

• Install Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader
• Set acrobat_path in config.json to the correct path
• Or switch to "print_method": "shellexecute"

PDF doesn't print

• Check the log file folder2print.log for errors
• Verify Acrobat can open the PDF manually
• Try switching print_method between acrobat and shellexecute

Files not detected

• Check that watch_folder path is correct
• Ensure the folder exists
• Check file extension matches file_extensions config

Print job sent but nothing prints

• Increase move_delete_delay_seconds to give more time for printing
• Check printer queue in Windows settings
• Verify printer is online and has paper

License

MIT License