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
• Web dashboard, REST API, per-client API keys, SQLite job queue
• Cross-platform agent: Windows (win32print + SumatraPDF) and Linux (CUPS)
• MIT licensed · 67 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, 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.