In this article, you will learn how to add print settings directly to a file's name so they will be applied by FolderMill. This way, you won't have to set them up manually for different groups of files.
Task
We have many users connected to the printer through a wireless LAN. The users print different types of PDF files. The problem is there is no way to set the number of copies we want. Now we print e.g. 1700 labels in a row to create a multi-page PDF with all the copies in it, but that works very slow. Can we make FolderMill print the document x times automatically, for example by adding the number at the end of the document name?
Solution
With FolderMill you can control how many copies of a specific document you want to have printed and even what printer tray (paper source) should be used. Also, you can apply other file printing parameters — by setting them directly in the filename of each file.
Adding print settings to filename
Create a new Hot Folder and add Print Document Action. Here you should set all needed settings, including the number of copies that will be used by default. These options will be used for all incoming files. However, you can also modify individual print settings for certain documents on the fly directly in their filename.
Individual print settings indicated in filename will take priority over Action’s settings.
All available parameters
Simply change the filenames of your documents using the following pattern:
your-original-filename-copies=2-duplex=1-tray=2-type=244-pagerange='1,5-10'.pdf
Here you can specify:
- Number of Copies (-copies=2)
- Duplex Mode (-duplex=1)
- Printer Tray (-tray=2)
- Paper Type* (-type=244)
- Page Range (-pagerange='1,5-10')
*Works for HP printers only
Number of copies
Set the desired number of copies for each individual document. For example:
your-original-filename-copies=10.pdf
This will let Foldermill automatically print 10 copies of this particular document.
Duplex mode
Set double-sided (duplex) or simplex printing options for this document. Possible values:
- duplex=1 - Simplex (one-sided printing)
- duplex=2 - Duplex Horizontal (Short-edge binding, the long edge of the page is horizontal)
- duplex=3 - Duplex Vertical (Long-edge binding, the long edge of the page is vertical)
your-original-filename-duplex=3.pdf
Printer tray
Select printer tray (paper source) for this document. To define it, use your printer tray ID number.
your-original-filename-tray=257.pdf
Paper type
Select paper type and size for this document. To define it, use a specific paper type ID number. Please note: this option works for Hewlett-Packard (HP) printers only.
your-original-filename-type=1267.pdf
Page range
Select which pages of a document should be printed. To specify individual pages or different page ranges, enter their numbers within single quotes separated by comma (without space):
your-original-filename-pagerange='1,5-10'.pdf
Checking all available printers, trays, paper sizes, and their IDs
If you're unsure of your printer's paper type ID or tray ID number, open the Additional Information console. This can be located in the FolderMill General Settings top menu.
By using this console, you can get a list of all installed printers and retrieve detailed information about a specific printer, including all its trays and paper sizes.
Thus, you can use FolderMill to facilitate printing within your company. No need to change the print settings every time — just set the number of copies and other printing options in the filename of each individual file instead! If you have any questions or issues on features described here, please contact us.