How To Print PDF Files Using Java

To print PDF files in Java, use the IronPDF library which provides simple methods like printWithoutDialog() for immediate printing and print() for showing print dialog options to users.

Quickstart: Print PDF Files in Java

```java :title=Quickstart // Add IronPDF dependency to your Maven pom.xml file // Import IronPDF classes import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;

// Load PDF document PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));

// Print without dialog pdf.printWithoutDialog();

// Or show print dialog pdf.print();

## What Is PDF Printing in Java?

PDF is important in Java applications because it allows developers to create and manipulate PDF documents in a platform-independent manner. The PDF format is widely used for storing and sharing documents, making it essential for Java applications that handle document management or document-based workflows.

PDF printing in Java involves programmatically sending PDF documents to physical or virtual printers. This functionality is essential for business applications that automate document printing workflows, generate invoices, reports, or other printable documents. Java developers often implement PDF printing capabilities in desktop applications, server-side applications, or batch processing systems.

There are several ways to generate and print PDF files in Java. A common approach is to use a library that provides classes for creating and manipulating PDF documents. This guide shows how to use the IronPDF library to generate and print PDF files in Java applications. For comprehensive documentation on IronPDF's capabilities, visit the [Get Started Overview](https://ironpdf.com/java/docs/).

<hr>

<div class="hsg-featured-snippet">
<h2>How to Print PDF Files in Java</h2>
<ol>
<li><a class="js-modal-open" data-modal-id="download-modal" href="#download-modal">Install Java library to print PDF files</a></li>
<li>Use <a href="#anchor-load-a-pdf-in-a-java-application"><code>PdfDocument</code></a> class to load existing PDF</li>
<li>Call <a href="#anchor-print-a-pdf-document-with-default-settings"><code>printWithoutDialog</code></a> method for immediate printing</li>
<li>Configure printer settings for customized output</li>
<li>Print PDF with <a href="#anchor-the-print-dialog"><code>print</code></a> method to show dialog</li>
</ol>
</div>

## What Is IronPDF Java PDF Library?

IronPDF is a Java library used to generate, manipulate, and convert PDF documents. It is based on the [IronPDF C# .NET library](/), which provides similar features for the .NET platform.

IronPDF provides a high-level API for working with PDF documents, allowing developers to work with PDF files without dealing with low-level file format details. It supports common PDF operations such as creating new documents, adding content, formatting text, merging PDF files, and splitting PDF files.

IronPDF supports converting HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to PDF, making it easy to generate PDF files from web pages or HTML templates. It also offers PDF printing capabilities. The library handles all complexities of PDF generation and printing, providing a simple and intuitive API that Java developers can easily integrate into their applications. Learn more about [creating PDFs in Java](https://ironpdf.com/java/how-to/java-create-pdf/tutorial/) using IronPDF's comprehensive features.

## How Do I Print PDF Documents Using IronPDF Java?

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### What Are the Prerequisites?

To print PDF files in Java, you need:

1. Eclipse IDE or any other Java IDE (IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, etc.)
2. A Maven Project running in Eclipse or another IDE
3. A stable internet connection to install the IronPDF Java library
4. Java Development Kit (JDK) 8 or higher installed
5. A PDF file for testing purposes

### How Do I Install IronPDF Library in Maven Project?

To install IronPDF in a Maven project, add the IronPDF dependency to your project's **pom.xml** file.

Add the following dependencies to the `<dependencies>` section of the pom.xml file:

```xml
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
    <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
    <version>YOUR_VERSION_HERE</version>
</dependency>

After adding the dependencies to the pom.xml file, run the mvn install command in the terminal, or press Ctrl+S to download and install IronPDF in your Maven project. The Maven build system automatically downloads all required dependencies and makes them available for your project.

Before using IronPDF, import the IronPDF classes in the main App.java source file, found in the src folder.

Package Explorer Tree for IronPDF for Java

Open the "App.java" file and add the IronPDF package using the following import statement:

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
// Learn more about licensing at https://ironpdf.com/java/get-started/license-keys/
License.setLicenseKey("Enter-Your-License");  

// Load PDF from the filesystem
PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));

// Alternative: Load from byte array
// byte[] pdfBytes = Files.readAllBytes(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));
// PdfDocument pdfFromBytes = new PdfDocument(pdfBytes);

// For password-protected PDFs
// PdfDocument protectedPdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("Protected.pdf"), "password123");

// Set the license key for IronPDF
// Learn more about licensing at https://ironpdf.com/java/get-started/license-keys/
License.setLicenseKey("Enter-Your-License");  

// Load PDF from the filesystem
PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));

// Alternative: Load from byte array
// byte[] pdfBytes = Files.readAllBytes(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));
// PdfDocument pdfFromBytes = new PdfDocument(pdfBytes);

// For password-protected PDFs
// PdfDocument protectedPdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("Protected.pdf"), "password123");

// Print PDF document using default printer settings without showing a print dialog
// This will immediately send the document to the default system printer
pdf.printWithoutDialog();

// The method returns immediately after sending the print job to the spooler
System.out.println("PDF document sent to default printer");

// Print PDF document using default printer settings without showing a print dialog
// This will immediately send the document to the default system printer
pdf.printWithoutDialog();

// The method returns immediately after sending the print job to the spooler
System.out.println("PDF document sent to default printer");

What Is the Print Dialog?

The second way allows the user to specify printing options before printing. Use the print method to achieve this functionality. This method displays the standard system print dialog, giving users full control over the printing process.

// Display print dialog to let the user specify printing options
// This will show the system print dialog with all available printers
pdf.print();

// The method will wait for user interaction before proceeding
// User can select printer, paper size, orientation, number of copies, etc.

// Display print dialog to let the user specify printing options
// This will show the system print dialog with all available printers
pdf.print();

// The method will wait for user interaction before proceeding
// User can select printer, paper size, orientation, number of copies, etc.

JAVA

The print dialog window appears when this method is invoked, allowing the user to change the printer, set paper size, change the number of copies, and more. This approach is perfect for desktop applications where user control over printing options is desired. Learn more about printing to physical printers with additional options.

Print dialog shown after running the program using the print() method

package IronPDF.ironpdf_java;

// Import statement for IronPDF Java
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.awt.print.PrinterException;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class App {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws PrinterException, IOException {
        // Apply your license key
        // Get your license key from https://ironpdf.com/java/get-started/license-keys/
        License.setLicenseKey("Enter-Your-License");

        // Load PDF document from the file system
        PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));

        // Option 1: Print the PDF document without displaying a print dialog
        // Uses default printer and settings
        pdf.printWithoutDialog();

        // Option 2: Display the print dialog for the user to configure printing options
        // Allows selection of printer, copies, page range, etc.
        pdf.print();

        // Don't forget to close the document when done
        pdf.close();
    }
}

package IronPDF.ironpdf_java;

// Import statement for IronPDF Java
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.awt.print.PrinterException;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class App {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws PrinterException, IOException {
        // Apply your license key
        // Get your license key from https://ironpdf.com/java/get-started/license-keys/
        License.setLicenseKey("Enter-Your-License");

        // Load PDF document from the file system
        PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("MyPdf.pdf"));

        // Option 1: Print the PDF document without displaying a print dialog
        // Uses default printer and settings
        pdf.printWithoutDialog();

        // Option 2: Display the print dialog for the user to configure printing options
        // Allows selection of printer, copies, page range, etc.
        pdf.print();

        // Don't forget to close the document when done
        pdf.close();
    }
}

try {
    pdf.printWithoutDialog();
} catch (PrinterException e) {
    System.err.println("Printing failed: " + e.getMessage());
    // Handle the error appropriately
}

try {
    pdf.printWithoutDialog();
} catch (PrinterException e) {
    System.err.println("Printing failed: " + e.getMessage());
    // Handle the error appropriately
}