README

🖨️ Silent background printing for Laravel - Print HTML, Blade views, URLs, and PDFs directly to any printer without user interaction.

Perfect for POS systems, restaurants, warehouses, e-commerce, and any application requiring automated printing.

⚡ Quick Start

# 1. Install package
composer require 6amtech/laravel-electron-printing

# 2. Run install command
php artisan electron-printing:install

# 3. Configure .env
PRINT_SERVICE_ENABLED=true
PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://localhost:3000
PRINT_USE_WEBSOCKET=false
PRINT_BROADCAST_CHANNEL=printing

# 4. Start Electron service
cd electron-print-service
npm install
npm start

Print in your Laravel app:

use LaravelElectronPrinting\Facades\ElectronPrint;

ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', ['order' => $order], null, 'thermal_80mm');

📦 Installation

Step 1: Install Package

composer require 6amtech/laravel-electron-printing

Step 2: Run Install Command

php artisan electron-printing:install

This command will:

• Publish the config file to config/electron-printing.php
• Publish the Electron app to electron-print-service/
• Show you the required .env configuration

Step 3: Configure Environment

Add these to your .env file:

PRINT_SERVICE_ENABLED=true
PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://localhost:3000
PRINT_USE_WEBSOCKET=false
PRINT_BROADCAST_CHANNEL=printing
PRINT_MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE=50

Step 4: Install Printer Drivers

⚠️ Important: You must install the genuine printer drivers on the machine running the Electron service.

• Thermal Printers: Install manufacturer drivers (EPSON, Star, etc.)
• Standard Printers: Install from manufacturer website
• Network Printers: Configure network connection first

Step 5: Start the Electron Service

Option A: Run from Source (Development)

cd electron-print-service
npm install
npm start

The service will:

• Start on http://localhost:3000
• Run in the background with a system tray icon
• Auto-start on system boot (optional)

Option B: Build Standalone App (Production)

If you want to distribute a ready-to-use application without requiring Node.js:

Build for your platform:

cd electron-print-service

# For macOS
npm run build:mac

# For Windows
npm run build:win

# For Linux
npm run build:linux

# For all platforms (requires macOS)
npm run build:all

Built apps will be in: electron-print-service/dist/

Installation:

• macOS:

  • Open 6amTech Printing Service-1.0.0-mac.dmg
  • Drag app to Applications folder
  • Open from Applications (right-click → Open first time)

• Windows:

  • Run 6amTech Printing Service Setup 1.0.0.exe
  • Follow installer wizard
  • App will auto-start on system boot

• Linux:

  • Install .deb: sudo dpkg -i 6amTech-Printing-Service-1.0.0.deb
  • Or run .AppImage directly (no installation needed)

Note: Built apps don't require Node.js or npm to be installed on the target machine.

Remote/Network Setup (Different Machine)

On the machine with printers connected:

1. Edit config (electron-print-service/config.json):

{
  "listenIP": "0.0.0.0",
  "port": 3000
}

1. Start the service:

cd electron-print-service
npm install
npm start

1. Note the machine's IP address:

# Windows
ipconfig

# macOS/Linux
ifconfig
# or
ip addr show

On your Laravel server:

Update .env with the remote machine's IP:

PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://192.168.1.100:3000

Firewall Configuration:

• Allow incoming connections on port 3000
• Windows: Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app
• macOS: System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Firewall
• Linux: sudo ufw allow 3000

🚀 Usage

Basic Printing

use LaravelElectronPrinting\Facades\ElectronPrint;

// Print HTML
ElectronPrint::printHtml('<h1>Hello World</h1>');

// Print Blade view
ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', ['order' => $order]);

// Print to specific printer
ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', $data, 'EPSON TM-T88V');

Using Print Profiles

Pre-configured profiles in config/electron-printing.php:

// Thermal 80mm receipt
ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', $data, null, 'thermal_80mm');

// Thermal 58mm receipt
ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', $data, null, 'thermal_58mm');

// A4 document
ElectronPrint::printView('invoice', $data, null, 'a4');

// A4 landscape
ElectronPrint::printView('report', $data, null, 'a4_landscape');

// Label printer
ElectronPrint::printView('label', $data, null, 'label');

Custom Print Options

ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', $data, null, [
    'pageSize' => ['width' => 80000, 'height' => 297000],
    'marginsType' => 1,
    'printBackground' => true,
    'scaleFactor' => 100
]);

PDF Printing

// From file
ElectronPrint::printPdfFile(storage_path('app/invoice.pdf'));

// From URL
ElectronPrint::printPdfUrl('https://example.com/invoice.pdf');

// From Base64
ElectronPrint::printPdfBase64($base64String);

// With profile
ElectronPrint::printPdfFile(storage_path('app/invoice.pdf'), null, 'a4');

Print from URL

ElectronPrint::printUrl('https://example.com/receipt');

Get Available Printers

$printers = ElectronPrint::getPrinters();
// Returns: ['EPSON TM-T88V', 'HP LaserJet', ...]

Check Service Health

if (ElectronPrint::isHealthy()) {
    // Service is running
}

⚙️ Configuration

Environment Variables

# Enable/disable printing
PRINT_SERVICE_ENABLED=true

# Electron service URL (local or remote)
PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://localhost:3000

# Request timeout (seconds)
PRINT_SERVICE_TIMEOUT=30

# Max payload size for large PDFs (MB)
PRINT_MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE=50

# Default printer (leave empty for system default)
PRINT_DEFAULT_PRINTER=

# WebSocket mode (optional)
PRINT_USE_WEBSOCKET=false
PRINT_BROADCAST_CHANNEL=printing

# Logging
PRINT_LOGGING_ENABLED=true
PRINT_LOG_CHANNEL=daily

Custom Print Profiles

Edit config/electron-printing.php:

'profiles' => [
    'my_custom_printer' => [
        'pageSize' => ['width' => 80000, 'height' => 297000],
        'marginsType' => 1,
        'printBackground' => true,
        'scaleFactor' => 100,
    ],
],

Use it:

ElectronPrint::printView('receipt', $data, null, 'my_custom_printer');

Electron Service Configuration

Edit electron-print-service/config.json:

{
  "port": 3000,
  "listenIP": "0.0.0.0",
  "maxPayloadSize": 50,
  "websocket": {
    "enabled": false,
    "host": "https://your-domain.com",
    "auth": {}
  }
}

🌐 Network Printing Setup

Scenario 1: Laravel + Electron on Same Machine

PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://localhost:3000

Scenario 2: Laravel on Server, Electron on Workstation

Workstation (with printers):

• IP: 192.168.1.100
• Edit electron-print-service/config.json:

  { "listenIP": "0.0.0.0", "port": 3000 }

• Start service: npm start

Laravel Server:

PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://192.168.1.100:3000

Scenario 3: Multiple Workstations

Each workstation runs its own Electron service:

Workstation 1 (Kitchen):

{ "listenIP": "0.0.0.0", "port": 3000 }

Workstation 2 (Counter):

{ "listenIP": "0.0.0.0", "port": 3001 }

Laravel:

// Kitchen printer
ElectronPrint::printView('kitchen-order', $data, 'Kitchen Printer', 'thermal_80mm');

// Counter printer (different service)
$counterService = new ElectronPrintService('http://192.168.1.101:3001');
$counterService->printView('receipt', $data, 'Receipt Printer', 'thermal_80mm');

📚 API Reference

use LaravelElectronPrinting\Facades\ElectronPrint;

// Print methods
ElectronPrint::printHtml($html, $printer, $options)
ElectronPrint::printView($view, $data, $printer, $options)
ElectronPrint::printUrl($url, $printer, $options)
ElectronPrint::printPdfFile($path, $printer, $options)
ElectronPrint::printPdfUrl($url, $printer, $options)
ElectronPrint::printPdfBase64($base64, $printer, $options)

// Utility
ElectronPrint::getPrinters()  // Returns array of printer names
ElectronPrint::isHealthy()    // Returns true if service running

// All methods return: ['success' => bool, 'message' => string]

🧪 Testing

# Test the installation
php artisan electron-printing:test

# Run package tests
composer test

🐛 Troubleshooting

Service Not Connecting

Error: Print service error: Connection refused

Solutions:

1. Check if Electron service is running:

   curl http://localhost:3000/health

2. Verify PRINT_SERVICE_URL in .env
3. Check firewall settings
4. For network printing, ensure listenIP is 0.0.0.0

Printer Not Found

Error: Printer name not recognized

Solutions:

1. Get available printers:

   dd(ElectronPrint::getPrinters());

2. Use exact printer name from the list
3. Install printer drivers on the machine running Electron service
4. Use null for system default printer

Payload Too Large

Error: 413 Payload Too Large

Solution:

PRINT_MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE=100  # Increase to 100MB

Restart both Laravel and Electron service.

Print Quality Issues

Solutions:

1. Use correct profile for your printer type
2. Adjust scaleFactor (default: 100)
3. Enable printBackground: true for colored content
4. Check printer driver settings

Port Already in Use

Error: Port 3000 is already in use

Solution - Find and kill the process:

macOS/Linux:

# Find process using port 3000
lsof -ti:3000

# Kill the process
kill -9 $(lsof -ti:3000)

# Or change port in electron-print-service/config.json

Windows:

# Find process using port 3000
netstat -ano | findstr :3000

# Kill process (replace PID with actual process ID)
taskkill /PID <PID> /F

# Or change port in electron-print-service/config.json

Change Port: Edit electron-print-service/config.json:

{
  "port": 3001,
  "listenIP": "0.0.0.0"
}

Then update Laravel .env:

PRINT_SERVICE_URL=http://localhost:3001

Network Printing Not Working

Solutions:

1. Verify IP address: ping 192.168.1.100
2. Check firewall allows port 3000
3. Ensure listenIP: "0.0.0.0" in Electron config
4. Test locally first: http://localhost:3000/health

Electron App Won't Open

macOS

Problem: "App can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer"

Solution:

# Remove quarantine attribute
xattr -cr "/Applications/6amTech Printing Service.app"

# Or right-click → Open (first time only)

Problem: App crashes on startup

Solution:

1. Check Console.app for error logs
2. Ensure printer drivers are installed
3. Try running from source: cd electron-print-service && npm start

Windows

Problem: "Windows protected your PC" warning

Solution:

1. Click "More info"
2. Click "Run anyway"
3. Or: Right-click installer → Properties → Unblock → Apply

Problem: App won't start after installation

Solution:

1. Check if port 3000 is already in use:

   netstat -ano | findstr :3000

2. Run as Administrator
3. Check Windows Defender logs
4. Reinstall with antivirus temporarily disabled

Linux

Problem: AppImage won't run

Solution:

# Make executable
chmod +x 6amTech-Printing-Service-1.0.0.AppImage

# Run
./6amTech-Printing-Service-1.0.0.AppImage

Problem: .deb installation fails

Solution:

# Install dependencies
sudo apt-get install -f

# Try reinstall
sudo dpkg -i 6amTech-Printing-Service-1.0.0.deb

Problem: App runs but no system tray icon

Solution:

# Install system tray support
sudo apt-get install libappindicator3-1

# For GNOME
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell-extension-appindicator

🎯 Features

✅ Silent Printing - No print dialogs
✅ Multiple Formats - HTML, Blade, URL, PDF
✅ Print Profiles - Pre-configured settings
✅ Network Support - Print from any device
✅ Thermal Printers - 80mm, 58mm receipts
✅ Standard Printers - A4, Letter, Labels
✅ Cross-Platform - Windows, macOS, Linux
✅ Large Files - Configurable payload size

📖 Resources

• Complete Documentation - Advanced features and guides
• GitHub Repository - Source code
• Packagist - Package releases

📝 License

MIT License - see LICENSE.md

👨‍💻 Credits

Developed by: Mainul Islam
Organization: 6amTech
GitHub: @mainulBUBT
Email: mainulislam3057@gmail.com

⭐ Support

If this package helps your project, give it a ⭐ on GitHub!

Made with ❤️ for the Laravel community