Print PDF as byte array in JAVA

Question

I need to print a pdf file for my printer. With this code I have converted my pdf to bytearray, but I am stuck and not know how to send it to the printer. Someone can help me?

    File file = new File("java.pdf");

    FileInputStream fis = new FileInputStream(file);
    ByteArrayOutputStream bos = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
    byte[] buf = new byte[1024];

    try {
        for (int readNum; (readNum = fis.read(buf)) != -1;) {
            bos.write(buf, 0, readNum); //no doubt here is 0
            //Writes len bytes from the specified byte array starting at offset off to this byte array output stream.
            System.out.println("read " + readNum + " bytes,");
        }
    } catch (IOException ex) {
        System.out.println("ERROR!");
    }
    byte[] bytes = bos.toByteArray();

Thank you in advance.

Thank you for your answer, but there are other possibility like not be sockets? — Despotars
– Despotars, Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 11:25

Stathis Andronikos · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24 11:34:21Z

2

Another approach is to send the pdf file using intent and here is an example

Sample code :

Intent prnIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
prnIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, uri);

prnIntent.setType("application/pdf");


startActivity(Intent.createChooser(prnIntent , "Send pdf using:"));

With this approach there is no need to use buffers but you send pdf file directly to printer!

answered Mar 24, 2014 at 11:34

Stathis Andronikos

1,2672 gold badges25 silver badges45 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

Despotars Over a year ago

Yes, but I have converted my pdf to bytearray, in your example, where I send my bytearray to printer?

Stathis Andronikos Over a year ago

With this example you send a pdf file. So, you have to do your work first as bytearray then convert to pdf file and then you send it to printer with this solution.

Christian Kullmann Over a year ago

How will an Android approach help in a standard java application? How do Intents fit in here?

Stathis Andronikos Over a year ago

You are right Christian it's an android solution only but I thought that this question was for android. So, the tag android I think is missing from the question.

Ravinder Reddy · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24 12:37:06Z

2

Steps to follow:

Find default printer service in your environment.
Define the document flavor, for PDF, to use for print.
Prepare a document to print from byte array.
Execute the print job.

Example code snippet:

byte[] bytes = bos.toByteArray();
ByteArrayInputStream bais = new ByteArrayInputStream( bytes );

// First identify the default print service on the system  
PrintService printService = PrintServiceLookup.lookupDefaultPrintService();  

// prepare the flvaor you are intended to print  
DocFlavor docFlavor = DocFlavor.BYTE_ARRAY.PDF;  

// prepare the print job
DocPrintJob printJob = printService.createPrintJob();  

// prepare the document, with default attributes, ready to print  
Doc docToPrint = new SimpleDoc( bais, docFlavor, null );  

// now send the doc to print job, with no attributes to print
printJob.print( docToPrint, null );

answered Mar 24, 2014 at 12:37

Ravinder Reddy

24.1k6 gold badges54 silver badges86 bronze badges

5 Comments

whizzzkey Over a year ago

It throws a "data is not of declared type" exception

Ravinder Reddy Over a year ago

@whizzzkey: ??? which data??? where is it???? post your query with proper details on where you are struck with...

whizzzkey Over a year ago

"which data???" - just simple pdf doc, "where is it???? " - on line Doc docToPrint = new SimpleDoc( bais, docFlavor, null );. I do everything as you posted, and I have a similar code like TS for getting a bytearray from my pdf file.

Ravinder Reddy Over a year ago

As I suggested, you better post your code, exception stacktrace with your query as a new question. Just through comments it is hard to identify the problem and give a solution.

Thamidu de Harshitha Over a year ago

This code will always throws an exception. you should pass the byte array instead of IS to the SimpleDoc obj (No need of IS to be more clear). Or else you should change the doc flavor to DocFlavor.INPUT_STREAM in order to work.

salpreh · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-02 19:05:15Z

Using a ByteArrayInputStream throws java.lang.IllegalArgumentException, but a regular byte array worked for me. Modifying the example of Ravinder Reddy:

    // Get default print service
    PrintService printService = PrintServiceLookup.lookupDefaultPrintService();

    // Create a print job
    DocPrintJob printJob = printService.createPrintJob();

    // Optional fancy listener
    printJob.addPrintJobListener(new PrintJobAdapter() {
        @Override
        public void printJobCompleted(PrintJobEvent pje) {
            System.out.println("PDF printing completed");
            super.printJobCompleted(pje);
        }

        @Override
        public void printJobFailed(PrintJobEvent pje) {
            System.out.println("PDF printing failed");
            super.printJobFailed(pje);
        }
    });

    // Check the PDF file and get a byte array
    File pdfFile = new File("path/to/pdf");
    if (pdfFile.exists() && pdfFile.isFile()) {
        byte[] PDFByteArray = Files.readAllBytes(FileSystems.getDefault().getPath(pdfFile.getAbsolutePath()));

        // Create a doc and print it
        Doc doc = new SimpleDoc(PDFByteArray, DocFlavor.BYTE_ARRAY.AUTOSENSE, null);
        printJob.print(doc, null);
    }

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Print PDF as byte array in JAVA

3 Answers 3

4 Comments

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

4 Comments

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related