Bypassing print dialog.

[fgersch]

Is there a way to bypass the print dialog in 10.9. When I print something from a web app I want the print job to simply go directly to the default print queue.

 

[chscag]

Is there a way to bypass the print dialog in 10.9.

Not that I know of. Unlike Windows, there is no direct print screen key or command.

 

[Slydude]

This is the closest thing that I am aware of. It mimics a behavior that pre-dated OS X IIRC, The article is older but I just tried it and it seems to work under Mavericks.

@OP Not sure if it will meet your requirements but worth a shot.

@chscag Closest I can thin k of to that function in OS X would be to take a screenshot and follow the procedure above.

 

[chscag]

I knew about that method, and yes it still works in Mavericks. The only problem is that it brings up the print dialog, a feature the OP does not want. The Print Screen function in Windows (and the older DOS) is the only thing I know that will print direct without a dialog.

 

[chas_m]

What the OP wants to do can absolutely be done.

Make an alias of the printer found in Users/YOURNAME/Library/Printers and put it on the desktop (or wherever).

Let me repeat that: MAKE AN ALIAS of the printer found in Users/YOURNAME/Library/Printers and put it on the desktop (or wherever).

In other words, DO NOT move the printer file found there out onto the desktop.

To access the User Library (which is normally hidden), access the "Go" menu from the Finder with the option key held down.

Once that's done, just drag any document or image to that alias and it will begin printing immediately. Bear in mind that you may not get the result you are expecting, since you bypassed settings.

 

[Slydude]

Maybe I am misunderstanding something but that method does not bring up a dialog for me. It didn't work with a few saved web pages I tried (the pages opened in Safari but never printed). With other documents though dropping the document onto the printing icon opened the associated application briefly and printing starts without my ever seeing the Print dialog.

Edit: @Chas_m Thanks for confirming that. I think selecting the appropriate printer in System Preferences and dragging it to the desktop accomplishes the same purpose as making an alias of the printer file you referenced. Not 100% sure but that seems to be the case for me.

 

[chscag]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what the OP wants... He states that he wants to bypass the print dialog and go direct to the default print queue. Even with an alias on the desktop the print dialog is going to open and ask for settings.

 

[chas_m]

No, it doesn't. It just shows me the queue and immediately starts printing. No dialogue, just an option to stop the print job (if I'm quick).

 

[chscag]

You knew I was going to test this.... Yes, it does work. I tested it with a Word doc by dragging a document to the printer alias where it opened Word and then printed the document without first invoking the printer settings. Nice tip, but one that I will likely never use. However, it should work for the OP just as he requested.

 

[bobtomay]

I can def see where a 'Quick Print' option which I use "All The Time" at work (particularly in MS Office) would be really nice for a lot of users.

All I can say about having to drag a file to an icon on the desktop as advised here would be a pita...

I'm looking at a multi-page spreadsheet I just created from one of our default blank workbooks I use all day long, looking at a single page of that workbook where I can click the 'Quick Print' icon and send it direct to the printer.

This option of needing to find a document in Finder - or modifying the window size of the app you're working in and have to drag that to an icon on the desktop, would quite frankly suck compared to having the dialog open which means you just end up clicking on 'Print' twice.

The best answer to me is, No, there is no way to accomplish what you want that makes it easier than clicking on 'Print' twice instead of once.
I can definitely click twice in a shorter period of time than grabbing, dragging and dropping something.
It's not "always" greener on the other side...

 

[chscag]

And a caveat to the tip given by chas_m that I didn't mention when I tested it: After dropping the file or whatever on the printer alias and when the print job is finished, the printer will remain active in the dock. This would be OK if you had a lot of print jobs to do, however, for one or two, it could be a distraction because you have to right click on the printer, and select quit. I'm going to say that this is one thing that Windows does better with the print screen function. ;P

 

[Slydude]

I hadn't thought about the issue of the print dialog remaining open. I don't remember if that was the case in the pre OS X days. I never used this feature much. It does seem like a bit more work than two clicks.

Here's something that might be a better option. From the Finder navigate to the document you want to print. Select the document then either choose Print from the Finder's File menu or choose Command P. At least for me it seems to close the program and print dialog when done.

This seems to be the functional equivalent of the Print One Copy command that was in pre OS X days.