This page is dedicated to collecting together information on printing issues within the Java SE environment.

Summary

Printing has been in the Java SE platform since version 1.1 in 1996. It has evolved to be able print a wide range of content and is now mature and powerful. Java printing principally exists under the two top level packages:

• java.awt.print - Java 2D printing, since JDK 1.2
• javax.print - aka the Java Print Service (JPS) API, since JDK 1.4

The roles of each of these packages is discussed in depth in the tutorials and reference guides linked from this page. However please note that although they appear in distinct packages they are tightly integrated and in particular java.awt.print heavily leverages javax.print for accessing printer capabilities. In addition printing is an integral part of the Java 2D API, hence much of the information on printing can be found as part of the Java 2D API documentation. Additionally the Swing toolkit leverages these APIs to provide simple ways to print Swing JTables and text components.

Other Information and Articles:

• JSR006 - Java Print Service API JSR information
• Developer Technical Articles on Printing
• JDC TechTip #1 - JTable Printing
• JDC TechTip #2 - Printing Components With PrinterJob