Print Web Pages Nicely: 3 Easy Bookmarklets
Streamlining Web Page Printing
Obtaining a clean printout from a webpage can frequently present difficulties. Websites are commonly designed with numerous sidebars, images, and advertisements that are undesirable in a printed format.
While these elements contribute to a visually appealing online experience, they prove counterproductive when printing, leading to unnecessary consumption of ink and paper.
Regrettably, websites that would benefit most from a dedicated printable version often lack this functionality.
Utilizing Bookmarklets for Efficient Printing
Instead of resorting to printing the entire webpage or manually creating a document through copy and paste, a more efficient solution involves employing bookmarklet tools.
A bookmarklet is essentially a small JavaScript program stored within your browser's bookmarks bar, activated with a single click.
These bookmarklets are designed to remove extraneous content from a website, resulting in a streamlined and printable version.
Bookmarklet Compatibility and Installation
Bookmarklets are universally compatible with all major web browsers.
Installation typically involves a simple drag-and-drop operation from a button located on a website directly into your bookmarks bar.
For users of Internet Explorer, the process involves right-clicking the button and selecting Add to Favorites.
This allows for quick access and convenient use whenever a clean printout is required.
Joliprint: Simplified Web Page Printing
This tool is designed to automatically remove unnecessary elements from webpages, streamlining the printing process. For website owners who haven't implemented a dedicated print function, a Joliprint button can be easily integrated.
Utilizing the button, found on supported websites, or the bookmarklet saved in your browser, initiates document preparation with a single click.
Upon completion, the generated PDF is available for download, viewing, and printing. Furthermore, it can be readily shared through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Email, or via a direct link.
The image below illustrates a sample excerpt from a typical PDF created by Joliprint.
A limitation of the service is the lack of customization options. Users must rely on Joliprint’s automated formatting. However, this is offset by its speed and ease of use.
PrintWhatYouLike: Customizable Web Page Printing and Saving
PrintWhatYouLike is a tool designed to provide complete control over how a web page is printed or saved. It allows for extensive customization before either printing directly or archiving the content as a document.
The service also provides a printer-friendly button that website owners can integrate into their own sites, enhancing user experience.
Using the PrintWhatYouLike Editor
Initiating the PWYL editor is straightforward. Simply click the provided button or utilize the bookmarklet and allow a moment for it to load.
Individual elements on the webpage can be isolated, removed, resized, or saved by clicking on them and selecting the desired action from the contextual menu that appears.
Multiple elements can be selected simultaneously, enabling the application of a single action to a group of items.
Sidebar Controls and Options
A sidebar is present on the left side of the editing interface. This sidebar offers global adjustments beyond individual element manipulation.
Users can modify the default text size and font, eliminate the background, remove all images, and adjust margins.
Furthermore, undo and redo functionalities are available for convenient editing.
The "Auto Format" feature provides a quick way to generate a text-only version of the webpage.
Saving and Printing Your Customized Page
After achieving the desired customization, the webpage can be printed directly from within the editor.
Alternatively, the modified content can be saved in either PDF or HTML format for later use.
PrintFriendly: A Streamlined Printing Solution
From the bookmarklets discussed, PrintFriendly stands out as the most intuitive option. It effectively combines the strengths of both Joliprint and PrintWhatYouLike into a single tool.
Should you find it beneficial, consider installing not only the bookmarklet itself, but also the website button for convenient access.
To utilize PrintFriendly, navigate to the webpage you intend to print and activate the bookmarklet. The PrinterFriendly preview will then appear, having already removed common clutter.
Automatic Content Removal
Elements like sidebars, advertisements, and navigation menus are automatically stripped away, presenting a cleaner view of the core content.
Further customization is possible. Remove any remaining unwanted elements by hovering over them and selecting 'click to delete'.
Once you've refined the document, you can proceed to print it, save it as a PDF, or share it via email.
Related Tools and Resources
MakeUseOf has previously reviewed comparable tools, including:
- iWeb2Print: A service for converting webpages into print-friendly PDFs.
- Readable: A tool that transforms websites into text-only, reader-friendly formats.
Additional information can be found in the article, How To Print A Web Page The Way You Want It.
Saving interesting articles as PDFs is a highly recommended practice for future reference. This allows for easy transfer to eReaders, reducing paper and ink consumption.
Furthermore, a digital file on an eReader offers greater longevity than traditional paper copies.
Image credits: vladis torms