Print.js
Lightweight npm helper for browser print dialogs—not production silent print to a named printer.
Print.js vs web-print-pdf comparison
Print.js helps trigger browser printing; for silent print, named printers, and batch labels, compare web-print-pdf + local client. This page offers neutral selection criteria—Print.js remains reasonable when a dialog is acceptable. See window.print alternative.
How to read this page
This page does not dismiss Print.js—it fits dialog printing. Evaluate web-print-pdf when you need named printers, batch labels, or unattended output. Boundaries: window.print guide.
What each approach is
Web Print Expert + web-print-pdf
Open npm + official clients (Windows/macOS/Linux/domestic). HTML→PDF→silent print, batchPrint, remote WebSocket. See live demos.
Where web-print-pdf fits
- True silent print via local client
- Printer control: name, copies, paper, thermal width
- Batch/remote for WMS/ERP
- Cross-platform one API
Print.js fits manual dialog printing; choose web-print-pdf for unattended silent output.
Feature comparison (reference)
For selection reference—verify against current releases.
| Dimension | Print.js | web-print-pdf |
|---|---|---|
| Silent print | No | Yes |
| Named printer | Weak | printOptions.printerName |
| Batch | DIY | batchPrint |
| Render | Browser | Chromium PDF |
| Deploy | npm only | npm + client |
| Remote push | No | WebSocket/HTTP; see WMS guide |
| Best for | Manual print | Silent ERP/WMS |
Decision matrix (by requirement)
Use this matrix in reviews—if dialogs are OK, you may not need a desktop client.
| If your top priority is… | Start with | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manual confirm, low volume | Print.js / window.print | No client install |
| Named thermal, WMS batch | web-print-pdf + client | WMS remote labels |
| PDF file export only | jsPDF | jsPDF comparison |
| Legacy Lodop overlays | Lodop comparison | Lodop guide; parallel PoC OK |
| Vue drag designer templates | hiprint comparison | hiprint guide |
Choose by scenario
Manual confirm is OK
Low volume, dialog acceptable—Print.js is fine.
Silent batch / WMS
Labels and unattended print need the client—see receipts & labels.
Preview in browser, print via client
Common phased migration pattern.
How this page fits with related guides
- This page: Print.js vs web-print-pdf
- window.print guide: dialog print boundaries
- jsPDF comparison: PDF files vs printer output
- Receipts / WMS remote labels: silent batch scenarios
FAQ
Can Print.js silent-print?
No—it uses the browser print dialog.
What extra does web-print-pdf need?
Install the Web Print Expert desktop client; npm talks over WebSocket.
Migrate from Print.js?
Extract print HTML and call printHtml after installing client + npm—not a drop-in API swap.
vs jsPDF?
jsPDF generates PDF files; web-print-pdf drives local printers. See jsPDF comparison.
Print.js vs react-to-print?
Both often use browser dialogs. For silent named-printer output, evaluate web-print-pdf—see React guide.
Notice
Selection reference only. Third-party names are for identification; trademarks belong to their owners.
Client deployment by platform
The same web-print-pdf front-end runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux/domestic OS—install the matching client on each desktop.