Linux CLI 51🐧 pr, lpr and lp commands - KandZ

ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 | head -n 10
ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 -h "etc directory" | head -n 10

lpstat -a
lpr file1.txt file2.txt
cat file1.txt | lpr -P canon -# 1
lpr -P canon -o media=A4 -o page-ranges=1-5 file1.txt
lp file1.txt
lp -d canon file1.txt

pr, lpr, and lp cover the three stages of printing on Linux: pr formats text for a page, lpr and lp send files to a printer. lpr is the Berkeley-style command; lp is the System V-style command. Both talk to CUPS — the Common UNIX Printing System that almost every Linux distro uses today.

Key point: pr prepares the page. lpr and lp deliver it. Modern Linux uses CUPS under the hood, so both lpr and lp work on the same system — pick whichever style you prefer.

a – pr command for printing

pr is used to prepare files for printing. It paginates, columnates, and adds headers — exactly what you need before sending text to a printer that expects formatted pages.

Common options:

Option	Purpose
`-l N`	Set page length to N lines
`-N`	Format in N columns
`-w N`	Set page width to N
`-o N`	Left margin offset of N
`-f`	Use form feeds between pages
`-h HEADER`	Use HEADER instead of the filename
`-t`	Omit headers and footers
`-d`	Double-space the output
`-n`	Number lines

Examples:

# Format /etc in 4 columns, 70 characters wide, show top 10
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 | head -n 10


2024-01-15 10:00                    Page 1


adduser.conf    alternatives    apparmor       apport
apt             bash.bashrc     bash_completion  bindresvport.blacklist
binfmt.d        ca-certificates  calendar      cron.d
cron.daily      cron.hourly     cron.monthly   cryptsetup-initramfs
dbus-1          debconf.conf    debian_version  default
deluser.conf    dhcp            dpkg           e2fsck.conf

# Same, with a custom header
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 -h "etc directory" | head -n 10


2024-01-15 10:00                etc directory                Page 1


adduser.conf    alternatives    apparmor       apport
apt             bash.bashrc     bash_completion  bindresvport.blacklist
binfmt.d        ca-certificates  calendar      cron.d
cron.daily      cron.hourly     cron.monthly   cryptsetup-initramfs
dbus-1          debconf.conf    debian_version  default
deluser.conf    dhcp            dpkg           e2fsck.conf

# Without headers, ready for a pipeline
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 -t | head -n 5
adduser.conf    alternatives    apparmor       apport
apt             bash.bashrc     bash_completion  bindresvport.blacklist
binfmt.d        ca-certificates  calendar      cron.d
cron.daily      cron.hourly     cron.monthly   cryptsetup-initramfs
dbus-1          debconf.conf    debian_version  default

# Send directly to the printer
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 | lpr

Combining pr with lpr:

# Format and print
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -h "etc directory" | lpr -P canon

# Double-spaced document
$ cat report.txt | pr -d | lpr

# Numbered and formatted
$ cat script.sh | pr -n -h "My Script" | lpr

Common pr recipes for printing:

Command	Effect
`pr file.txt`	Add header + page numbers
`pr -h "Title" file.txt`	Custom header
`pr -l 60 file.txt`	60-line pages
`pr -2 file.txt`	2 columns
`pr -d file.txt`	Double-space
`pr -n file.txt`	Number lines
`pr -o 5 file.txt`	5-character left margin

Tip: pr -t removes the headers — useful for pipelines, but when printing you usually want the headers so you know what page you’re on.

b – lpr command – Berkeley Style

lpr sends files to a printer. It’s part of CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System), which is widely used on Linux. The Berkeley style is short and terse — think “line printer.”

Common options:

Option	Purpose
`-r`	Delete files after printing
`-P PRINTER`	Specify the printer name
`-# N`	Print N copies
`-o OPTION`	Pass a printing option
`-C NAME`	Job class/name
`-J NAME`	Job name
`-T TITLE`	Job title
`-m`	Mail when done
`-H`	Hold the job

Examples:

# Print multiple files to the default printer
$ lpr file1.txt file2.txt

# Print 5 copies to a specific printer
$ lpr -P canon -# 5 file1.txt

# Pipe content to a printer
$ cat file1.txt | lpr -P canon -# 1

# Use options for media and page ranges
$ lpr -P canon -o media=A4 -o page-ranges=1-5 file1.txt

# Duplex printing
$ lpr -P canon -o sides=two-sided-long-edge file1.txt

# Landscape orientation
$ lpr -P canon -o landscape file1.txt

# Print in grayscale
$ lpr -P canon -o ColorModel=Gray file1.txt

# Print and delete the file
$ lpr -r file1.txt

# Hold the job (print later with lprm)
$ lpr -H file1.txt

# Multiple copies with custom job name
$ lpr -P canon -# 3 -J "Monthly Report" report.pdf

Common -o printing options:

Option	Effect
`media=A4`	A4 paper
`media=Letter`	US Letter
`page-ranges=1-5`	Pages 1–5
`sides=two-sided-long-edge`	Duplex (long edge)
`sides=two-sided-short-edge`	Duplex (short edge)
`landscape`	Landscape orientation
`fit-to-page`	Scale to fit
`number-up=2`	2 pages per sheet
`ColorModel=Gray`	Grayscale
`job-priority=50`	Set priority

Checking printer status:

# List available printers
$ lpstat -a
canon accepting requests since Mon 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 AM UTC
hp accepting requests since Mon 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 AM UTC

# Detailed printer info
$ lpstat -p -d
printer canon is idle.  enabled since Mon 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 AM UTC
printer hp is idle.  enabled since Mon 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 AM UTC
system default destination: canon

# Show the print queue
$ lpq
canon is ready
no entries

# Cancel a job
$ lprm JOB_ID

c – lp – System V Style

lp is like lpr. Both send files to the printer. lp is also part of CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System). It provides more advanced options than lpr in some cases — and it’s the System V-style command.

Common options:

Option	Purpose
`-d PRINTER`	Select the printer
`-n N`	Number of copies
`-o landscape`	Landscape orientation
`-P PAGES`	Specify pages (e.g., `2,4,6`)
`-t TITLE`	Job title
`-m`	Mail when done
`-H`	Hold the job

Examples:

# Print to the default printer
$ lp file1.txt
request id is canon-1234 (1 file(s))

# Print to a specific printer
$ lp -d canon file1.txt
request id is canon-1234 (1 file(s))

# Print 3 copies
$ lp -d canon -n 3 file1.txt
request id is canon-1235 (1 file(s))

# Landscape orientation
$ lp -d canon -o landscape file1.txt

# Specific page ranges
$ lp -d canon -P 2,4,6 file1.txt

# Page range with a hyphen
$ lp -d canon -P 1-5 file1.txt

# Print multiple files
$ lp file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

# Pipe content
$ cat file1.txt | lp -d canon

# Duplex + page range
$ lp -d canon -o sides=two-sided-long-edge -P 1-10 report.pdf

# Job title
$ lp -d canon -t "Monthly Report" report.pdf

# Mail when done
$ lp -d canon -m report.pdf

lp vs lpr:

Aspect	lpr	lp
Style	Berkeley	System V
Copies	`-# N`	`-n N`
Printer	`-P name`	`-d name`
Pages	`-o page-ranges=N-M`	`-P N,M` or `-P N-M`
Orientation	`-o landscape`	`-o landscape`
Media	`-o media=A4`	`-o media=A4`
Delete after	`-r`	(not standard)
Output	Job ID to stderr	Job ID to stdout

lp output tells you the job ID:

$ lp -d canon file1.txt
request id is canon-1234 (1 file(s))

# Use that ID to check or cancel
$ lpq -P canon
canon is ready and printing
Rank    Owner   Job     File(s)                         Total Size
active  kronos  1234    file1.txt                       1024 bytes

$ lprm -P canon 1234
# Cancels the job

Managing print jobs:

Command	Purpose
`lpstat -a`	List accepting printers
`lpstat -p`	Printer status
`lpstat -d`	Show default printer
`lpstat -o`	Show all jobs
`lpq`	Show queue
`lprm JOB`	Cancel a job
`cancel JOB`	Cancel (System V style)
`lpadmin`	Configure printers

Complete Example Session

# ============================================
# PART 1: FORMAT WITH PR
# ============================================

# Show /etc in 4 columns, 70 chars wide, top 10 lines
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 | head -n 10


2024-01-15 10:00                    Page 1


adduser.conf    alternatives    apparmor       apport
apt             bash.bashrc     bash_completion  bindresvport.blacklist
binfmt.d        ca-certificates  calendar      cron.d
cron.daily      cron.hourly     cron.monthly   cryptsetup-initramfs
dbus-1          debconf.conf    debian_version  default
deluser.conf    dhcp            dpkg           e2fsck.conf

# Same with a custom header
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 -h "etc directory" | head -n 10


2024-01-15 10:00                etc directory                Page 1


adduser.conf    alternatives    apparmor       apport
apt             bash.bashrc     bash_completion  bindresvport.blacklist
...

# ============================================
# PART 2: CHECK PRINTERS
# ============================================

$ lpstat -a
canon accepting requests since Mon 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 AM UTC
hp accepting requests since Mon 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 AM UTC

$ lpstat -d
system default destination: canon

$ lpstat -p
printer canon is idle.  enabled since Mon 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 AM UTC
printer hp is idle.  enabled since Mon 15 Jan 2024 09:00:00 AM UTC

# ============================================
# PART 3: PRINT WITH LPR
# ============================================

# Multiple files
$ lpr file1.txt file2.txt

# Specific printer, 5 copies
$ lpr -P canon -# 5 file1.txt

# Pipe to printer
$ cat file1.txt | lpr -P canon -# 1

# Media and page ranges
$ lpr -P canon -o media=A4 -o page-ranges=1-5 file1.txt

# ============================================
# PART 4: PRINT WITH LP
# ============================================

# Default printer
$ lp file1.txt
request id is canon-1234 (1 file(s))

# Specific printer
$ lp -d canon file1.txt
request id is canon-1235 (1 file(s))

# Multiple copies
$ lp -d canon -n 3 file1.txt
request id is canon-1236 (1 file(s))

# Landscape
$ lp -d canon -o landscape file1.txt

# Page ranges
$ lp -d canon -P 2,4,6 file1.txt

# ============================================
# PART 5: COMBINE PR AND LPR
# ============================================

# Format /etc as 4 columns and print
$ ls /etc | pr -4 -h "etc directory" | lpr -P canon

# Print a numbered script
$ cat script.sh | pr -n -h "Script" | lpr

# Double-spaced document
$ cat report.txt | pr -d | lpr -P canon

# ============================================
# PART 6: CHECK AND CANCEL JOBS
# ============================================

$ lpq
canon is ready
Rank    Owner   Job     File(s)                         Total Size
active  kronos  1234    file1.txt                       1024 bytes
1st     kronos  1235    file2.txt                       2048 bytes

$ lprm 1234
# Cancels job 1234

$ cancel 1235
# Cancels job 1235 (System V style)

# ============================================
# PART 7: PRINT OPTIONS
# ============================================

# Duplex printing
$ lpr -P canon -o sides=two-sided-long-edge file1.txt

# 2 pages per sheet
$ lpr -P canon -o number-up=2 report.pdf

# Grayscale
$ lpr -P canon -o ColorModel=Gray photo.jpg

# Fit to page
$ lpr -P canon -o fit-to-page large-doc.pdf

Quick Reference

pr — Printing Format

Option	Purpose
`-N`	N columns
`-l N`	Page length N
`-w N`	Page width N
`-o N`	Left margin offset
`-h HEADER`	Custom header
`-f`	Form feeds
`-t`	No headers
`-d`	Double-space
`-n`	Number lines

lpr — Berkeley

Option	Purpose
`lpr FILE`	Print file
`lpr -P PRN FILE`	Specific printer
`lpr -# N FILE`	N copies
`lpr -r FILE`	Delete after printing
`lpr -o OPT FILE`	Print option
`lpr -m FILE`	Mail when done
`lpr -H FILE`	Hold job

lp — System V

Option	Purpose
`lp FILE`	Print file
`lp -d PRN FILE`	Specific printer
`lp -n N FILE`	N copies
`lp -P 2,4,6 FILE`	Specific pages
`lp -P 1-5 FILE`	Page range
`lp -o landscape FILE`	Landscape
`lp -t TITLE FILE`	Job title
`lp -m FILE`	Mail when done
`lp -H FILE`	Hold job

Common `-o` Options

Option	Effect
`media=A4`	A4 paper
`media=Letter`	US Letter
`page-ranges=1-5`	Pages 1–5
`sides=two-sided-long-edge`	Duplex long edge
`sides=two-sided-short-edge`	Duplex short edge
`landscape`	Landscape
`fit-to-page`	Scale to fit
`number-up=2`	2 pages per sheet
`ColorModel=Gray`	Grayscale

Printer Management

Command	Purpose
`lpstat -a`	List accepting printers
`lpstat -p`	Printer status
`lpstat -d`	Default printer
`lpstat -o`	All jobs
`lpq`	Show queue
`lprm JOB`	Cancel job
`cancel JOB`	Cancel (SysV)
`lpadmin`	Configure printers

lpr vs lp

Aspect	lpr	lp
Style	Berkeley	System V
Copies	`-# N`	`-n N`
Printer	`-P`	`-d`
Pages	`-o page-ranges`	`-P`
Delete after	`-r`	—
Output	stderr	stdout

Best Practices

✅ Do This:

# Check available printers first
lpstat -a                             # ✅

# Use pr to format before printing
ls /etc | pr -4 | lpr                 # ✅

# Specify the printer explicitly
lpr -P canon file.txt                 # ✅

# Use lp for page ranges
lp -d canon -P 1-5 report.pdf         # ✅

# Cancel jobs by ID
lprm 1234                             # ✅

# Use -t with pr when piping
ls /etc | pr -4 -t | grep foo         # ✅

# Preview with head before printing
ls /etc | pr -4 -w 70 | head -n 10    # ✅

# Use -o for media and orientation
lpr -P canon -o media=A4 -o landscape file.txt  # ✅

❌ Don’t Do This:

# Don't print without checking the printer
lpr file.txt                          # ⚠️  default may not exist

# Don't forget -P when multiple printers exist
lpr file.txt                          # ⚠️  goes to default

# Don't pipe to lpr without formatting
cat hugefile.txt | lpr                # ⚠️  unformatted output

# Don't use pr without -t in pipelines
ls | pr -4 | grep foo                 # ❌ headers pollute

# Don't confuse lpr and lp flags
lpr -d canon file.txt                 # ❌ -d is for lp, not lpr
lp -P canon file.txt                  # ❌ -P is for lpr, not lp

# Don't print without checking the queue
lpr big.pdf                           # ⚠️  check lpq first

# Don't forget to cancel stuck jobs
# Use lprm or cancel                   # ✅

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Problem	Solution
No default printer	lpr fails	`lpstat -d`, set default
Wrong flag for tool	`lpr -d`	Use `lpr -P`
Wrong copies flag	`lpr -n`	Use `lpr -#`
`pr` headers in pipe	Pollutes output	Use `pr -t`
CUPS not running	Nothing prints	`systemctl start cups`
Printer offline	Job stuck	`lpstat -p` to check
Job stuck in queue	Won’t print	`lprm JOB` or `cancel JOB`
Paper size mismatch	Cropped output	`-o media=A4`

Real-World Examples

1. Format a Directory Listing and Print

$ ls /etc | pr -4 -h "etc directory" | lpr -P canon

2. Print Multiple Files

$ lpr -P canon file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt

3. Print 5 Copies

$ lpr -P canon -# 5 report.pdf
# or
$ lp -d canon -n 5 report.pdf

4. Print Pages 1–5 Only

$ lpr -P canon -o page-ranges=1-5 report.pdf
# or
$ lp -d canon -P 1-5 report.pdf

5. Print Specific Pages

$ lp -d canon -P 2,4,6 document.pdf

6. Duplex Printing

$ lpr -P canon -o sides=two-sided-long-edge report.pdf

7. Print Landscape

$ lpr -P canon -o landscape spreadsheet.pdf
# or
$ lp -d canon -o landscape spreadsheet.pdf

8. Print on A4

$ lpr -P canon -o media=A4 document.pdf

9. Print a Numbered Script

$ cat script.sh | pr -n -h "Script" | lpr -P canon

10. Double-Space a Document

$ cat essay.txt | pr -d | lpr -P canon

11. Check Printer Status

$ lpstat -a
canon accepting requests since Mon 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 AM UTC

$ lpstat -p -d
printer canon is idle.  enabled since ...
system default destination: canon

12. Check the Queue

$ lpq
canon is ready
Rank    Owner   Job     File(s)                         Total Size
active  kronos  1234    report.pdf                      45678 bytes

13. Cancel a Job

$ lprm 1234
# or
$ cancel 1234

14. Hold a Job

$ lpr -H -P canon report.pdf
# Job is held — release with lprm -H or cupsenable

15. Print with a Job Title

$ lp -d canon -t "Monthly Report" report.pdf

16. Grayscale Printing

$ lpr -P canon -o ColorModel=Gray photo.jpg

17. 2 Pages Per Sheet

$ lpr -P canon -o number-up=2 document.pdf

18. Fit to Page

$ lpr -P canon -o fit-to-page large-document.pdf

19. Print and Delete Source

$ lpr -r tempfile.txt

20. Pipe Command Output to Printer

$ df -h | pr -h "Disk Usage" | lpr -P canon

Visual: The Printing Pipeline

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           The printing pipeline              │
│                                              │
│  Source (file, ls, cat)                      │
│         │                                    │
│         ▼                                    │
│  ┌──────────────────┐                        │
│  │       pr         │  format for page       │
│  │  (columns,       │  (optional)            │
│  │   headers,       │                        │
│  │   page length)   │                        │
│  └────────┬─────────┘                        │
│           │                                  │
│           ▼                                  │
│  ┌──────────────────┐                        │
│  │   lpr or lp      │  send to printer       │
│  │  (printer,       │                        │
│  │   copies,        │                        │
│  │   options)       │                        │
│  └────────┬─────────┘                        │
│           │                                  │
│           ▼                                  │
│  ┌──────────────────┐                        │
│  │      CUPS        │  print system          │
│  │                  │                        │
│  └────────┬─────────┘                        │
│           │                                  │
│           ▼                                  │
│  ┌──────────────────┐                        │
│  │     Printer      │  🖨️                    │
│  └──────────────────┘                        │
│                                              │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Summary

Command	Purpose	Example
`pr -4 FILE`	4 columns	`pr -4 file.txt`
`pr -w N FILE`	Width N	`pr -w 70 file.txt`
`pr -h H FILE`	Custom header	`pr -h "Title" file.txt`
`pr -l N FILE`	Page length	`pr -l 60 file.txt`
`pr -t FILE`	No headers	`pr -t file.txt`
`pr -d FILE`	Double-space	`pr -d file.txt`
`pr -n FILE`	Number lines	`pr -n file.txt`
`lpr FILE`	Print file	`lpr file1.txt`
`lpr -P PRN FILE`	Specific printer	`lpr -P canon file.txt`
`lpr -# N FILE`	N copies	`lpr -# 5 file.txt`
`lpr -r FILE`	Delete after	`lpr -r file.txt`
`lpr -o OPT FILE`	Print option	`lpr -o media=A4 file.txt`
`lp FILE`	Print file	`lp file1.txt`
`lp -d PRN FILE`	Specific printer	`lp -d canon file.txt`
`lp -n N FILE`	N copies	`lp -n 3 file.txt`
`lp -P PAGES FILE`	Pages	`lp -P 2,4,6 file.txt`
`lp -o landscape FILE`	Landscape	`lp -o landscape file.txt`
`lpstat -a`	List printers	`lpstat -a`
`lpstat -d`	Default printer	`lpstat -d`
`lpq`	Queue	`lpq`
`lprm JOB`	Cancel job	`lprm 1234`
`cancel JOB`	Cancel (SysV)	`cancel 1234`

Key takeaways:

pr formats text for the page — columns, headers, page length, double-spacing
lpr (Berkeley) and lp (System V) both send files to the printer via CUPS
lpr -P selects a printer; lp -d does the same
lpr -# N sets copies; lp -n N does the same
Use -o for media, orientation, duplex, page ranges, and other options
lp -P selects specific pages (2,4,6 or 1-5)
pr piping into lpr is the classic way to format + print
Use pr -t when you want columns but no headers in a pipeline
Check printers with lpstat -a, the queue with lpq, and cancel with lprm or cancel
Modern Linux uses CUPS — both lpr and lp work, so use whichever style feels natural

Remember: pr prepares, lpr/lp deliver. On modern Linux, CUPS handles the actual printing. Learn lpr -P canon -# 2 for copies and lp -d canon -P 1-5 for page ranges. Pipe through pr when you want columns or page numbers. Check lpstat -a before printing if you’re not sure what’s available. And when a job gets stuck, lprm or cancel is your escape hatch.

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a – pr command for printing

b – lpr command – Berkeley Style

c – lp – System V Style

Complete Example Session

Quick Reference

pr — Printing Format

lpr — Berkeley

lp — System V

Common -o Options

Printer Management

lpr vs lp

Best Practices

Common Pitfalls

Real-World Examples

1. Format a Directory Listing and Print

2. Print Multiple Files

3. Print 5 Copies

4. Print Pages 1–5 Only

5. Print Specific Pages

6. Duplex Printing

7. Print Landscape

8. Print on A4

9. Print a Numbered Script

10. Double-Space a Document

11. Check Printer Status

12. Check the Queue

13. Cancel a Job

14. Hold a Job

15. Print with a Job Title

16. Grayscale Printing

17. 2 Pages Per Sheet

18. Fit to Page

19. Print and Delete Source

20. Pipe Command Output to Printer

Visual: The Printing Pipeline

Summary

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Common `-o` Options