---
title: Print raw PDF bytes to a printer
summary: Sends rendered PDF bytes to a physical printer via the xPression Design SOAP service.
status: draft
owner: SAIF Case Management
last_reviewed: 2026-08-21
library: SAIF.Services.Printing
reference_type: embedded
operation_id: OP-PRINT-PDF
trigger: Caller invokes clsPrint.printPDF
---

# Print raw PDF bytes to a printer

Sends previously rendered PDF bytes (typically from the preview operation) to a physical printer through the xPression Design SOAP service.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| **Operation ID** | OP-PRINT-PDF |
| **Trigger** | Caller invokes `clsPrint.printPDF(inFile)` |
| **Inputs** | Rendered PDF bytes (`inFile`), `Printer`, `PlexMode`, `Copies`, `ScaleMode` |
| **Outputs** | Boolean success flag (always `True`) |
| **Primary components** | `clsPrint.printPDF` |
| **Entry point** | `SAIF.Services.Printing\clsPrint.vb` |

## Steps

1. Caller supplies rendered PDF bytes (typically the return value of [Preview a document via xPression](preview-document-xpresso.md)).
2. Method calls `m_Xpresso.printPDF(inFile, m_Printer, m_Plexmode, m_Copies, m_Scalemode)` — delegates to the `xpresso.clsGenerate` SOAP proxy, which forwards to the external xPression Design server for physical printing.
   > **Origin**: This step is implemented in `xpresso.clsGenerate` (`SAIF.Services.Printing.xpresso`) and executed against the external xPression Design server.*
3. Returns `True` unconditionally — the result of the underlying SOAP call is not checked.

## Process flow

```mermaid
flowchart TD
	Start([Caller supplies PDF bytes]) --> Call[Call m_Xpresso.printPDF]
	Call --> Soap[SOAP call to external xPression server]
	Soap --> Return([Return True unconditionally])
```

## Failure and edge-case behavior
- The method returns `True` unconditionally; the SOAP call's actual result/fault status is not inspected, so a failed print job may not be visibly reported to the caller.*

## Related documentation
- [Operations and processes](../operations-processes.md)
- [Business rules](../business-rules.md)

## Sources
- `SAIF.Services.Printing\clsPrint.vb`
- `SAIF.Services.Printing\Web References\xpresso\Reference.vb`