The Linux lp Printing Command

Table of Contents

• lp
• Print in Color Mode
• Frequently used commands
• lpstat
• lpoptions
• Merge PDF Files then print on both sides

lp

• -n copies Sets the number of copies to print.
• -o sides=one-sided/two-sided-long-edge/two-sided-short-edge
• -d destination Prints files to the named printer.
• -t “name” Sets the job name.

Print in Color Mode

• Print files in color one-time
  • lp -d ${the_printer} -o ColorModel=CMYK ${the_file}
• Set printer default to color
  • sudo lpoptions -p ${the_printer} -o ColorModel=CMYK

Frequently used commands

• print all files in current folder:
  • lp -d ${the_printer} *
• print all files in all subfolders:
  • lp -d ${the_printer} */**
• pipelines: ps -ef | lp
• Set the system’s default printer: lpadmin -d ${the_printer}

lpstat

• -d Shows the current default destination.
• -a [printer(s)] Shows the accepting state of printer queues. If no printers are specified then all printers are listed.
• Check the system’s default printer
  • lpstat -d

lpoptions

• display or set printer options and defaults -d destination[/instance]
  • Sets the user default printer to destination. If instance is supplied then that particular instance is used. This option overrides the system default printer for the current user.
• lpoptions -d ${the_printer} -l | grep -i color

Merge PDF Files then print on both sides

• Install command line tool: pdftk
  • sudo apt-get install pdftk
• Merge PDF Files
  • pdftk file1.pdf file2.pdf fiel3.pdf cat output outputfile.pdf