How to Print PDF Files Using Adobe Reader Command Line and Script. Plus, Why You Should Consider VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line

Posted on Author VeryPDF / 88 Views

Printing PDF files programmatically can be an essential task for automating workflows, whether you're processing a batch of documents or integrating printing capabilities into a larger system. Two tools commonly used to print PDFs from the command line are Adobe Reader's command line interface (CLI) and VeryPDF's PDFPrint Command Line. In this article, we'll walk through how to use both, and why VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line might be a more reliable option for advanced printing needs.

How to Print PDF Files Using Adobe Reader Command Line and Script. Plus, Why You Should Consider VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line

✅ Printing PDFs with Adobe Reader Command Line and Script

Adobe Reader, one of the most popular PDF readers, also provides a command line interface that can be used for automation and scripting purposes. The command line tools can allow you to silently print PDF files from a script without needing to manually open the file.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Adobe Reader's Command Line

  1. Open Command Prompt
    On Windows, you can open the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the search bar and hitting Enter.
  2. Navigate to Adobe Reader Directory
    To use the command line features of Adobe Reader, first navigate to the directory where Adobe Reader is installed. By default, Adobe Reader is installed in the following location: 
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\
  3. Basic Print Command Syntax
    To print a PDF file using Adobe Reader from the command line, you would use the following syntax: 
    AcroRd32.exe /t "path_to_pdf_file" "printer_name" "Adobe PDF" "printer_port"

    Where:

    • path_to_pdf_file: The full path to the PDF file you want to print.
    • printer_name: The name of the printer you want to print to (can be found in your printer settings).
    • "Adobe PDF": The default printer, but you can specify another printer if needed.
    • printer_port: The port associated with the printer (optional).
  4. Example Command
    Here's an example of a command to print a PDF file called document.pdf located at C:\Documents to a printer named MyPrinter: 
    AcroRd32.exe /t "C:\Documents\document.pdf" "MyPrinter"

Additional Options

  • /t is the key command for printing.
  • /h hides the Adobe Reader window (silent printing mode).
  • /s prints the PDF file without opening Adobe Reader.

Limitations of Adobe Reader Command Line Printing

While Adobe Reader's command line tools are useful, there are limitations:

  • Printer Configuration: Configuring specific printer settings (such as double-sided printing, page range, or custom paper sizes) is limited and may require manual adjustments in the Adobe Reader settings.
  • Error Handling: Adobe Reader does not provide detailed error reporting or logs when issues arise with the printing process, which could be problematic for automated workflows.

✅ How to Use VBScript to Call Adobe Reader to Print PDF Files Programmatically

VBScript is a scripting language that can be used to automate tasks in Windows environments, including calling applications like Adobe Reader to print PDF files. Here’s a basic guide on how to use VBScript to call Adobe Reader and print a PDF file programmatically.

Step-by-Step Guide to Use VBScript with Adobe Reader

  1. Create the VBScript File
    Open a text editor (such as Notepad) and paste the following script:

    Dim objShell
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

' Path to Adobe Reader
adobeReaderPath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe"

' Path to the PDF file you want to print
pdfFilePath = "C:\path\to\your\document.pdf"

' Printer name (optional if using default printer)
printerName = "Your Printer Name" ' Replace with actual printer name

' Command to print the PDF file
printCommand = adobeReaderPath & " /t """ & pdfFilePath & """ """ & printerName & """"

' Execute the command
objShell.Run printCommand, 0, True
  2. Save the File
    Save the file with a `.vbs` extension (for example, `print_pdf.vbs`).
  3. Run the Script
    Double-click the `.vbs` file to execute the script. This will open Adobe Reader in the background, load the specified PDF file, and send it to the specified printer.

Explanation of the Script

  • CreateObject("WScript.Shell") creates an instance of the Windows Script Host Shell, which is used to run system commands.
  • adobeReaderPath specifies the path to the Adobe Reader executable (AcroRd32.exe).
  • pdfFilePath contains the full path to the PDF file that you want to print.
  • The /t command in Adobe Reader is used to print the PDF file. It requires three parameters:
    • The path to the PDF file.
    • The printer name (you can leave this blank to use the default printer).
    • The printer port (optional).
  • The objShell.Run method is used to execute the command, and the 0 parameter ensures that the command runs in the background without opening a visible window. The True parameter waits for the command to finish before continuing.

Limitations of Using VBScript with Adobe Reader for Printing PDFs

While the method described above can automate PDF printing, there are several limitations to consider:

  1. Limited Printer Options:
    • The AcroRd32.exe /t command provides basic printing functionality but lacks advanced printer options, such as printing specific pages, custom page ranges, or advanced layout controls.
    • Printer settings such as duplex printing or print quality cannot be specified using this method.
  2. Error Handling:
    • Adobe Reader does not provide detailed error reporting or feedback when issues occur. If the PDF fails to print (e.g., incorrect printer name, missing PDF file), the script may silently fail without notifying the user.
    • Debugging issues can be challenging because the command line does not provide comprehensive logging.
  3. No Printer Configuration:
    • You cannot configure printer properties (e.g., paper size, orientation) directly from the command line. The script relies on the printer's default settings, and there are no options to adjust these properties dynamically.
  4. Adobe Reader's Availability:
    • The method relies on having Adobe Reader installed on the system. If Adobe Reader is not installed or is located in a different directory, the script will fail.
    • The approach is specific to Adobe Reader and will not work with other PDF readers unless they offer similar command-line printing functionality.
  5. No Support for Batch Processing:
    • This method is designed to print one PDF file at a time. If you need to print multiple PDFs in a batch process, you would have to write additional logic to loop through a folder or list of files.
  6. Windows-Only Solution:
    • VBScript and the AcroRd32.exe command are primarily for Windows environments, making this solution unsuitable for cross-platform systems (e.g., macOS or Linux). For cross-platform automation, other solutions such as VeryPDF PDFPrint may be more appropriate.

Alternative Solutions

If you're looking for a more robust, scalable solution, or need to print multiple PDFs, you might consider using tools like VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line or other PDF automation libraries that offer more advanced printing features, better error handling, and cross-platform support.

✅ Why You Should Consider VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line

For users who need more control, flexibility, and advanced features when printing PDFs, VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line is an excellent alternative. VeryPDF offers a more robust solution for automated PDF printing, ideal for batch processing, servers, and scripts.

Key Features of VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line

  1. Advanced Printer Options
    Unlike Adobe Reader's command line, VeryPDF PDFPrint offers advanced printer options, such as:
    • Specifying page ranges to print (e.g., printing only specific pages).
    • Controlling print quality, orientation, and color settings.
    • Printing to network printers without additional configuration.
  2. Cross-Platform Compatibility
    VeryPDF PDFPrint works seamlessly across Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a versatile tool for mixed-environment setups.
  3. Automated Batch Processing
    VeryPDF is optimized for batch processing, allowing you to print multiple PDF files from a folder or queue. This can save time and effort, especially in business environments where large volumes of PDFs need to be printed regularly.
  4. Error Reporting and Logging
    VeryPDF PDFPrint provides detailed logs and error messages, making it easier to troubleshoot printing issues and ensuring greater reliability in automated printing tasks.
  5. Silent Printing
    Like Adobe Reader, VeryPDF PDFPrint supports silent printing (printing without opening any window), which is ideal for server-side or background processing.

Example Command for VeryPDF PDFPrint

Here’s how you can use VeryPDF PDFPrint to print a PDF file:

pdfprint.exe "path_to_pdf_file" -printer "printer_name" -silent

This command prints the specified PDF file silently to the specified printer without opening any dialog boxes.

Why Choose VeryPDF PDFPrint?

  • More Control Over Printing: With support for detailed printer settings, you can easily customize how the PDF is printed, whether you need specific page ranges, color options, or even custom paper sizes.
  • Reliable and Scalable: VeryPDF PDFPrint is designed for business and enterprise environments where reliability and scalability are paramount.
  • Easy Integration: It integrates easily into scripts, batch processes, or server environments, providing a smooth workflow for large-scale printing operations.

✅ Conclusion

While Adobe Reader's command line interface offers a basic solution for printing PDFs from scripts, VeryPDF PDFPrint Command Line stands out as a superior alternative for those who need more advanced features, better error handling, and robust support for various printer settings. If you're looking for an efficient, reliable, and flexible solution to print PDF files from scripts, VeryPDF PDFPrint is a valuable tool worth considering.

Related Posts