Filed under: Cool tools, Tips and tricks
Enable drag-and-drop desktop printing
Since I don't actually own a printer, I find it ironic that I'm posting a tip about printing more efficiently on a
Mac. Regardless, this is a handy little tip right out of Apple's
Pro site for all you chronic printers out there: if you print a lot of documents throughout the day without
necessarily needing to edit them, you can create a "desktop printer" onto which you can simply drag and drop
a file to print it. No opening the document or Office, and no dialogs to click through. It's pretty simple: select your
printer in the Printer Setup Utility, go up to Printers > Create Desktop Printer (cmd shift D) to create your
very own printing secretary on your desktop. Now, if only OS X had a coffee option...
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JensJakob Jensen said 5:44PM on 1-17-2006
It's an old tip, but nice anyways :)
Also note that you can drag a folder to the printer and get a directory listing.
Reply
Guillermo said 5:48PM on 1-17-2006
Even better: After creating the desktop printer, drag the icon to the dock. Then delete the desktop icon.
Reply
Henry said 5:49PM on 1-17-2006
This is the equivalent of making an alias of your printer in ~/Preferences/Printers. It does seem useful though. You could also put it in the dock.
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Ralph said 6:12PM on 1-17-2006
Wait, you don't have a printer? You never need to print *anything*?
Reply
patrice said 12:24AM on 1-18-2006
I'm sure this could also be done to create a PDF Printer on the Desktop / in the Dock.
Anyone got a quick step-by-step on how this is done? Thanks.
While we're on the topic of printers. I am looking for an inexpensive inkjet printer. (I know that the ink cartridges are outrageously expensive; but I won't be using the printer too often anyways.) Any recommendations? Thanks!
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Xenedar said 2:12AM on 1-18-2006
>Wait, you don't have a printer? You never need to print *anything*?
I don't have a printer either. If I can't send it electronically, I don't bother.
And anybody who would make me output hardcopy wouldn't get my business. Resumes/CVs included; if I can't submit an application electronically, I don't want to work for them, since it's an indication of how technologically immature the company is, and that would just annoy the crap out of me. If the can't or won't accept an attachment via email, they're clearly not serious about the position or their business. Filling in timesheets or applications for leave on paper, etc... ick.
Besides, you can print without a printer; eg: to PDF or to fax.
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