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For a quick conversion, use Chrome’s headless command-line option:
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf https://example.com/Chrome writes output.pdf to the current working directory by default. Add --no-pdf-header-footer to suppress the printed URL, date and page details. These commands use Chrome’s documented PDF-printing flags; whether a page renders completely still depends on its print styles and how its content loads.
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Use Chrome for a one-off PDF
Replace the example URL with the page you want to save. Run the command in a terminal where Chrome is installed and available under the chrome command:
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf https://example.com/The default file name is output.pdf, saved in the working directory from which you ran the command. Chrome documents this headless printing option in its headless documentation.
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- PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
- QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
- EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
Suppress the printed header and footer
To remove Chrome’s URL, date and page details from the printed pages, use:
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf --no-pdf-header-footer https://example.com/Current Chrome documentation uses --no-pdf-header-footer and notes that it replaces the older --print-to-pdf-no-header spelling. If Chrome rejects the flag, check the installed version and try the spelling supported by that version.
Allow more time for page content
For pages that reveal content after navigation, Chrome’s --timeout option can wait before capture. For example, this waits up to five seconds:
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- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf --timeout=5000 https://example.com/A delay is not proof that all scripts, fonts, images or access checks have finished. For pages that use timers, Chrome also documents a virtual-time budget:
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf --virtual-time-budget=42000 https://example.com/Treat that budget as a rendering aid, not a universal readiness check; open the resulting PDF and verify its contents.
Use Puppeteer when you need repeatable PDF options
A script is a better fit for recurring jobs or when you need to set PDF options such as paper format, margins or page ranges. Puppeteer’s page.pdf() returns PDF bytes and uses the print CSS media type by default. Its PDF API documentation describes the available options.
Rank #3
- STAY ORGANIZED – Easily convert your paper documents into digital formats like searchable PDF files, JPEGs, and more.Power Consumption : 2.5W or less (Energy Saving Mode: 0.7W). Suggested Daily Volume : 500 scans..Does it contain liquid: no
- CONVENIENT AND PORTABLE –lightweight and small in size, you can take the scanner anywhere from home offices, classrooms, remote offices, and anywhere in between
- HANDLES VARIOUS MEDIA TYPES – Digitize receipts, business cards, plastic or embossed cards, reports, legal documents, and more
- FAST AND EFFICIENT – No technical hurdles or complicated setups here; easily scan both sides of a document at the same time, in color or black-and-white, at up to 12 pages-per-minute, and with a 20 sheet automatic feeder
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY – Works with both Windows and Mac devices, be it laptop or computer
Install Puppeteer in a Node.js project with npm install puppeteer, then save this as make-pdf.js:
const fs = require('node:fs/promises');
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
(async () => {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ headless: true });
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com/', { waitUntil: 'networkidle0' });
const pdf = await page.pdf({
path: 'page.pdf',
format: 'A4',
printBackground: true,
margin: { top: '12mm', right: '12mm', bottom: '12mm', left: '12mm' }
});
await fs.writeFile('page.pdf', pdf);
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})().catch(error => {
console.error(error);
process.exitCode = 1;
});Run it with node make-pdf.js. The example waits for network activity to settle, writes page.pdf, uses A4 paper, and includes background graphics. Network-idle waiting may not suit pages with ongoing requests; choose a readiness condition that matches the page, and inspect the output.
Choose print or screen styling
Because Puppeteer prints with print media by default, the page’s print CSS can hide or rearrange elements or change colors. To render using screen media instead, call this before page.pdf():
Rank #4
- IRIScan Express, portable scanner : scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 8ppm simplex. Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- IRIScan Express mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 2. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan. USB cable provided. AC Adapter not provided and not needed.
- IRIScan flatbed scanner uses a simplex scanning mode allows for quick and straightforward scanning of single-sided documents. IRIScan with its full portable features is the ideal document scanners for computers.
- IRIScan document scanner : Versatile scanning capabilities, including scanning to Word, PDF, and Excel formats with companion software provided Readiris OCR
- Receipt scanner and card scanner with Additional features include scanning business cards directly to Outlook, photo scanning, and receipt scanning for efficient document management
await page.emulateMediaType('screen');Puppeteer documents -webkit-print-color-adjust for cases where exact colors matter. Output can still vary with the page’s styles and content.
What to check when the PDF is wrong
- Chrome cannot find the command: use the Chrome executable’s actual command or path for your installation. The documented example assumes Chrome is invokable as
chrome. - A flag is rejected: check the installed Chrome version and use its supported flag spelling. Older tutorials may show the superseded header-suppression option.
- Content is missing: inspect the page in a browser and check whether it loads content dynamically. Adjust the wait or use an automation script with a page-specific readiness condition; a fixed timeout cannot guarantee completion.
- Layout or colors differ from the browser: inspect the page’s print preview and print CSS. Puppeteer’s default print-media rendering may intentionally use a different layout; emulate screen media if that is the desired result.
- Pages break badly or images are absent: review the saved PDF for page breaks, margins, missing images and unfinished content, then adjust print styling or PDF options as needed.
These checks follow the documented print-media behavior and capture-time controls; identical results across websites and operating systems are not guaranteed.
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Account for Chrome’s headless version changes
Chrome’s headless documentation says headless and headful modes now share Chrome’s implementation. Since Chrome 132.0.6793.0, the old Headless mode is available only as the separate chrome-headless-shell binary. If a command from an older guide behaves differently, check which Chrome binary and version you are invoking rather than assuming the old mode remains in the regular Chrome binary.
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- Scanner type: Document
- Connectivity technology: USB
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Digitize documents and images
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo can return a PDF from one GET request. For example, this cURL call captures the example page:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com/ -o page.pdfSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. ScreenshotNeo accepts cookie and consent banners before capture and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups and chat widgets; those steps can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads and cache hits are not billed, and responses include X-Page-Verdict and X-Billed headers. Its MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info and capture_pdf tools for AI agents and MCP clients. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Visit ScreenshotNeo or sign up free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chrome save the PDF beside the URL or in my downloads folder?
By default, Chrome writes output.pdf in the terminal’s current working directory.
Can a headless command guarantee that every part of a page has loaded?
No. A timeout or virtual-time budget can help, but neither guarantees that every site’s scripts, images or access checks have completed; inspect the PDF.
Does Puppeteer create PDFs using the page’s screen layout by default?
No. page.pdf() uses print media by default; call page.emulateMediaType('screen') first when you want screen styling.
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