bash - cups - lpr - print duplex

print-duplex.sh

#!/bin/bash

# @see: https://opensource.com/article/20/4/print-duplex-bash-script#!/bin/bash

# take any PDF file and print the odd pages first
# THEN, ask the user to put the paper back in the printer, face down
# THEN, print even pages

# take the default printer from the cups configuration
# OR manually set it
_PRINTER=$(grep DefaultPrinter -i /etc/cups/printers.conf | awk {'print$2'} | sed -e "s/>//")

if [ "$#" -lt "1" ]
then
  echo -e "Document to print is required."
  exit 1
fi

_DOCUMENT_COUNT=$#
_INDEX=1

_print() {
  lpr -P $_PRINTER -o $@ "$_DOCUMENT"
}

_log() {
  echo ${_DOCUMENT} - $1
}

_print_document() {
  _log "Printing even pages"
  _print page-set=even -o outputorder=reverse

  _log "Place paper back into the printer in EXACT OUTPUT ORDER (face down in tray) then press ENTER"
  read _IS_DONE

  _log "Printing odd pages"
  _print page-set=odd
}

_wait_between_documents() {
  if [ "$_INDEX" -lt "$_DOCUMENT_COUNT" ]
  then
    _log "Press ENTER when document is finished printing ($_INDEX) $_DOCUMENT_COUNT"
    read _IS_DONE

    ((_INDEX++))
  fi
}

for _DOCUMENT in $@
do
  _print_document
  _wait_between_documents
done

On my system (Ubuntu 20.04.04), grep DefaultPrinter -i /etc/cups/printers.conf issues a "Permission denied" error. I have to use sudo.

As I'm not connected to a printer right now, I can't test further.