printpapi

Self-hosted, open-source alternative to PrintNode. Submit a print job to a small HTTP API from anywhere; an agent on the machine with the printer picks it up and prints it — documents and label printers (Zebra/ZPL, Bixolon, thermal).

• Agent polls outbound — printers behind NAT/firewall work with no inbound ports
• Server is Python standard library only — no framework, nothing to install
• React dashboard (live queue, job history, test print, API keys), REST API, SQLite job queue
• Cross-platform agent: Windows (win32print + SumatraPDF) and Linux (CUPS)
• MIT licensed · 106 tests

Get started

Server (Python 3.9+):

git clone https://github.com/LukiPrince/printpapi && cd printpapi
PRINTAPI_TOKEN=change-me python -m app.server

Open the dashboard at http://localhost:3460 and paste the token. Or use the prebuilt Docker image — no build needed (amd64 + arm64):

docker run -e PRINTAPI_TOKEN=change-me -p 3460:3460 ghcr.io/lukiprince/printpapi

Or docker compose up -d (persists the DB in a volume — see docker-compose.yml). Prefer to build it yourself? docker build -t printpapi .

Agent — on the machine with the printers:

1. Copy agent/print_agent.py there (Windows also needs pywin32 + SumatraPDF for PDF; Linux uses CUPS).

2. Create agent.ini next to it:

   [agent]
   server_url = http://yourserver:3460
   api_key    = your-agent-key
   name       = office-pc
   printers   = Zebra GK420d; HP LaserJet|pdf

3. Run python print_agent.py.

First print: dashboard → Devices → Test print.

Documentation

Server	how it works, configuration, Docker, dashboard (+ rebuilding it), API keys, security
Agent	install, agent.ini, printer syntax, labels vs PDF
HTTP API	endpoints, auth, content types, job lifecycle
Roadmap	what's planned for v2

Contributions welcome — see CONTRIBUTING.md.

License

MIT.