Printing multiple PDF files

sledgeweb

We have a system where we store link information for PDFs in a database. Recently, we've been given a request to add checkboxes next to each form, so that rather than printing each form one at a time, a user can place a checkbox next to the forms they want and then click a button to print those forms.

Anyone know of a good solution for this? My current idea is to somehow merge the PDF's together in a temporary file and then open in for printing.

Any other solutions for this kind system? Where the user can select multiple PDFs to print?

konsu

hello, for me, your question is vague. if you can print a single file identified by its name would doing the same in a loop for different names do the trick?
konstantin

sledgeweb

Well, here's the problem. Say there is 10 separate PDFs someone needs to print, out of 500 PDFs on the server. Currently, they have to open each 10 individually and print them.

I've been asked to create a system that will allow them to select the 10 they want to print, and then hit a PRINT button that will open the 10 PDFs they selected and print them.

So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to make this happen.

Each user may select a different amount and combination of PDFs they wish to print. Someone might need 10, someone else might need 20, etc.

Installer

It sounds to me like konsu's suggestion is still the solution. I'm guessing you're using Windows; you could just loop them to the print spooler. The same for Linux, I would think.

chrislive

I would be worried about how the printer would handle 20 simultaneous print outs. (PDF's can take up a lot of Printer memory sometimes) perhaps you do as suggested and try it in your office. even better try printing 100.

if the system handles this ok then ok. if not then you may wish to do what you said and merge them into one PDF.

Installer

Memory usage is a valid concern, of course, but with server more than printer memory. Even with that, the print spooler resides in the server file system, so space there would be the larger concern. The spooler will take care of the memory usage, and send data to the printer when the printer says it's ready.