Chrome’s command-line switches can save a rendered webpage as an image or PDF, but they do not send an arbitrary image file directly to a printer. Use --headless --screenshot for a raster image, --headless --print-to-pdf for a printable PDF, then submit that file through your operating system’s print workflow. The commands below work with a URL; an existing image file must first be opened by a local webpage or printed with a separate operating-system tool.
Understand what Chrome can output
There are three separate jobs that are often described as “printing with Chrome”:
- Screenshot: Chrome renders a URL and writes a PNG, JPEG or WebP image.
- PDF creation: Chrome renders a URL and writes a PDF document.
- Physical printing: Your operating system or managed Chrome print workflow sends a document to a configured printer.
The Headless command-line reference documents the first two jobs. Neither --screenshot nor --print-to-pdf means that paper has been produced. If you need paper, create the image or PDF first and then print that artifact normally.
Prerequisites and command syntax
- Install a current Chrome or Chromium build that supports Headless mode. Unified Headless mode has been available since Chrome 112; current builds should be checked against their own command-line reference.
- Use the executable name appropriate to your platform: commonly
chrome,google-chrome,chromiumorchromium-browser. - Run the command from a directory where you can write the output file, or provide an absolute output path.
- Quote URLs and paths that contain shell-sensitive characters or spaces.
The general form is:
chrome --headless [switches] https://example.com
On macOS, Chromium’s platform guidance uses the application binary inside the Google Chrome app bundle; escape spaces in the path or quote the entire executable path.
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Save a webpage as an image
To capture a rendered page as a PNG:
chrome --headless --screenshot --window-size=1200,1600 https://example.comChrome writes screenshot.png in the current working directory unless you specify a path supported by your build. The --window-size=1200,1600 switch sets the viewport dimensions in pixels; it is not a paper size.
Choose an explicit image path and format
When your Chrome version accepts an explicit screenshot path, use an extension that matches a supported format:
chrome --headless --screenshot=/tmp/example.webp --window-size=1440,1200 https://example.comThe Chromium command handler recognizes .jpeg, .jpg, .png and .webp. Unsupported extensions are rejected. If a path behaves differently in your release, omit the extension-specific path and use the default PNG, then convert it with an image utility.
What the screenshot contains
The result is a capture of the page state Chrome reached at capture time. It is not automatically a full physical page, and it does not guarantee that every lazy image, font, advertisement or script finished loading. Increase the viewport, use a page designed for the desired dimensions, or use a PDF workflow when pagination matters.
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For a document that you intend to print, generate a PDF:
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chrome --headless --print-to-pdf=output.pdf --no-pdf-header-footer https://example.comThis writes output.pdf to the current directory when using the shown relative path. You can provide an absolute path, such as --print-to-pdf=/tmp/example.pdf. The PDF is still a file; print it afterward with your desktop PDF viewer, operating-system print command or managed Chrome print workflow.
Remove generated headers and footers
--no-pdf-header-footer suppresses the generated date/time header and URL/page footer. Older Chrome releases may require the deprecated switch name --print-to-pdf-no-header. If the current name is reported as unknown, try the legacy spelling or upgrade Chrome.
PDF versus screenshot
| Need | Switch | Artifact | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rendered pixels | --screenshot |
PNG, JPEG or WebP | Images, previews and visual regression files |
| Printable layout | --print-to-pdf |
Paper printing, archiving and sharing | |
| Paper output | Separate print workflow | Physical pages | A configured local or managed printer |
Wait for client-rendered content
Pages built by JavaScript may need time before capture. Chrome’s documented five-second example is:
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchchrome --headless --screenshot --timeout=5000 https://example.com--timeout=5000 waits five seconds of real time before capture. The virtual-time alternative advances page timers:
chrome --headless --screenshot --virtual-time-budget=5000 https://example.comVirtual time can reach a later application state without waiting the full five seconds in wall-clock time. Neither option proves that a remote image, API request or third-party script successfully loaded. For reliable automation, make the page deterministic, check the resulting file, and retry failed navigations.
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Capture Chrome scheme URLs
For chrome:// targets, Chrome documents --allow-chrome-scheme-url as required. That switch is available from Chrome 123:
chrome --headless --allow-chrome-scheme-url --screenshot chrome://gpuOnly use this for pages your Chrome build permits Headless to access. Normal web URLs do not need the switch.
Printing an existing image file
Chrome’s Headless switches are URL-oriented. The documentation does not describe --print-to-pdf as a general image-file-to-paper command. To print an existing photo.png:
- Open the image in a browser tab or image viewer and use that application’s print command, or create a small local HTML page containing the image and pass its URL to Chrome’s PDF switch.
- Inspect the resulting PDF for scaling, orientation, margins and page count.
- Send the PDF to your configured printer using the operating system or enterprise print workflow.
A local HTML wrapper gives you control over paper CSS, but it introduces browser setup that is unnecessary when you only need a screenshot file.
From PDF to a physical printer
After creating output.pdf, print it with your platform’s normal command. For example, many Linux distributions provide a lp command:
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lp output.pdfPrinter names, authentication and options vary by operating system, so use the print utility documented for your environment. Chrome Enterprise documentation also describes administrator-controlled print handling. Some non-PostScript printers require rasterization, and Windows or Mac administrators may apply a PDF-as-image policy. That policy affects print handling; it is not the same as Headless screenshot output.
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Common failures and fixes
Chrome is not found
Cause: The executable is not on your PATH or has a different name. Fix: Call the full executable path or use the platform-specific name installed on your system.
The command exits without the expected file
Cause: You are looking in a different directory, lack write permission, or supplied an invalid output extension. Fix: Print the working directory, choose an absolute writable path and use a supported image extension.
The screenshot is blank or incomplete
Cause: Navigation failed, content is client-rendered, a bot check appeared, or resources were still loading. Fix: Test the URL interactively, add a measured timeout or virtual-time budget, check network access and inspect the output rather than assuming success.
Headers or footers remain in the PDF
Cause: Your release uses the older switch spelling. Fix: Try --print-to-pdf-no-header or update Chrome, then verify the generated PDF.
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The PDF was created but nothing printed
Cause: PDF generation and printer submission are separate operations. Fix: Open the file in a PDF viewer or invoke your operating system’s print command and select an available printer.
Paper dimensions look wrong
Cause: --window-size controls screenshot pixels, not physical paper. Fix: Generate a PDF, set paper size and scaling in the print dialog, and check orientation and margins.
Performance, reliability and cost considerations
- Choose the smallest artifact: screenshots are convenient for pixels; PDFs preserve a print-oriented document flow.
- Control timing deliberately: a real timeout consumes wall-clock time; virtual time changes timer behavior and may expose a later state faster.
- Validate output: a zero-byte or blank file can still indicate a failed page load. Check file size, image dimensions or PDF page count in automation.
- Protect repeatability: freeze dynamic data where possible, use stable viewport dimensions and avoid relying on ads or third-party widgets.
- Separate capture from printing: this lets you archive, review and retry the file before using paper.
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cURL:
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- Use
--screenshotwhen the deliverable is an image of a URL. - Use
--print-to-pdfwhen the deliverable must be reviewed or printed as a document. - Use a separate print workflow for physical paper.
- Add
--timeoutor--virtual-time-budgetonly when the page genuinely needs delayed rendering, and verify the output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chrome’s command line print a PNG directly to my printer?
No. Headless Chrome saves a rendered page as an image or PDF; a separate operating-system or managed printer workflow is required for physical output.
What is Chrome’s default screenshot filename?
The documented default is screenshot.png in the current working directory.
Can I use a JPG or WebP screenshot?
Yes, when providing an explicit path, Chromium’s handler supports .jpeg, .jpg, .png and .webp.
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