How do *you* print a web page so as to keep it around ?!?

[smallhagrid]

Sometimes the info on a page is so good that you want to grab a copy of it, right ??

I know there's a bazillion ways to do this - and I use a bunch of different ones myself.

Sometimes nothing wants to work, the page gets truncated or really messed up.

Bookmarklets for PrintWhatYouLike and PrintLiminator and PrintEdit are helpful, but don't always work;

Printing to PDF via Foxit or NovaPDF or whatever can also fail.

So...suppose you want to keep a page around, maybe copied into a PDF - what really ALWAYS works ??

Is there one that is the bestest one of all to do this with ?!?

Thanks.

[emerglines]

Save the page + edit it + convert it to PDF + print it

[Dodel]

If you're using Firefox, try the Fireshot addon https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fireshot/?src=search

Chrome, try Save as PDF extension https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/save-as-pdf/kpdjmbiefanbdgnkcikhllpmjnnllbbc?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon'>https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/save-as-pdf/kpdjmbiefanbdgnkcikhllpmjnnllbbc?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon

Internet Explorer :- try uninstalling...

I use Fireshot (the free version) in work, saves a shed load of time being able to export web pages as PDF.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Dodel

[blstr]

Easy way if you have Total Commander installed:

• Step 1: Download decClipboardFS plugin
• Step 2: Run TC & install the package above
• Step 3: Network tab on TC -> \\\decClipboardFS\WebBrowser -> choose the tab you which content you'd like to save, and copy the bmp to any directory

Enjoy! (no need to drop that IE, works properly with it ^^)

Edited October 16, 2013 by blstr

[mazigh]

You may like to add http://pdfcrowd.com/ too :), it works for some sites and doesn't for some others

[Reefa]

Cheers to you all for these tips.Will always come in handy one day ;)

[jackieo]

OK- my solution isn't really printer oriented, but it lets you save the webpage as .htm file which can be viewed offline- :)

I usually right click somewhere on the page (and not in an image) SAVE AS - then the SAVE AS box pops up - save in a folder or save to desktop.

essentially you're saving the webpage as .htm file which, when clicked offline will display the entire page contents.

( you can also do this with the browser menu "Save Page As" )

Now i run into hassles on some sites like Wikipedia when using Chrome- it will strip the formatting away and the result looks crappy.

in that event use Firefox. it saves Wiki pages .htm perfectly :)

Edited October 17, 2013 by jackieo

[smallhagrid]

Thanks for the great replies folks !!!

I have seen some s/w that adds a virtual printer driver and is especially supposed to be good for doing whole web pages, but I've never tried any of that specific sort.

Does anyone use one like that and it works very well most of the time ??

[nIGHT]

@smallhagrid yes I have used it but I forgot the name of that software. It works for some page but for other page its going to miss some information like the comments and some notes. The content will look like the one coming from a printable version copy that is printed by a real printer and not exactly like the one you will see on your browser. So, if you happened to value some information like a comment from a certain page those things won't show up in the virtual printer->pdf file conversion software. You can only get those comments when you click to view the comments on its own page and then print it as to go to a virtual printer->pdf file.

Was using that software (virtual printer->pdf conversion; I really forgot its name :( ) when trying to print a marshmallow fluff recipe that I need to mix it in my peanut sandwich. What I did was to print the page with the recipe and another for the comment page. ^_^

Edited October 20, 2013 by nIGHT

[smallhagrid]

Thanks nIGHT.

Most of the time when I use PWL I remove the comments and other stuff to keep the saved page short, so that would be OK for me most of the time.

What puzzles me is that the one I remember reading about was specifically for web pages, but of course any search is too general and returns loads of other stuff.

[nIGHT]

That virtual printer->pdf file conversion software is intended for converting webpages to pdf file but it use a virtual printer as a way to convert the webpage into pdf. Maybe that's the reason why some page will be stripped off of some info like the comments cause the "Print" is fetching the printable version of the page and not the online version of the webpage.

As far as I remember, I did test some of those virtual printer->pdf conversion software and their outputs. I forgot to finish testing them all and noting the final results as good, accurate or never-to-bother type. I usually do this if trying to find the best software in its category like in the case of video conversion.

So from your response above your good to go for that software. Just do try some couple of page to test for conversion.

Do it with some recipe page as those usually have some comments in it and an alternative printable version.

For blogs page you might try to edit the converted pdf file (the virtual printer driver comes with a pdf editing software) to remove those comments below it.

For forums page then you might try copy paste those part you need and paste it in Word and try to print it using the virtual printer as the printer so it can be converted to pdf.

If you really want to print the page as exactly as you want from its online version then go for a software that capture the entire webpage as a picture copy. But I never tried that yet.

Edited October 20, 2013 by nIGHT

[smallhagrid]

Thanks Again nIGHT.

Trouble with this right now for me is still not knowing the name of the one(s) which are made for web pages - the regular print-to-PDF kinds of things do very badly on web pages (I have 3 of those installed already...) and do strange stuff like broken up pages and 1 8.5 x 11 size page only when it has enough for 5 of those, and so forth.

When I am wanting to keep a page around it usually takes a while to get it right with a bunch of mis-fires.

Lots of times PrintWhatYouLike (PWL) does a good job, but it also fails alot of the time, and then I get into the 5-6 others I have or know about and sometimes nothing will work right at all.

I am hoping someone can pitch in with the names of which of the virtual printer types are aimed at printing web pages in good form - that is what I'm having trouble finding.

Thanks.

Edited October 20, 2013 by smallhagrid

[nIGHT]

Your welcome! ;)

Sorry, It took a while to respond as I have to look on my other computers for that virtual printer pdf and I found out the last I used was Nitro pdf.

I download Nitro on this office laptop (Vista OS) since I can't stop my other computers from rendering my animation.

Take note that my examples below will look different on Windows 7/8 print option though.

Those page length can be configure under the page size of any print option of any application (browser, Word, etc)

1. Click "Print" under you browsers menu. If you are using the latest Chrome browser then it has its own print interface and can save it as pdf file if you change the "Destination"->under "Local Destination"->"Save as PDF " or "Nitro PDF Creator 2". Do not bother with Steps 2 to 4 if you are using chrome.

2.

3.

4.

Here's a list of some virtual printer ->pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_virtual_printer_software

Be careful as some were packed with adware and some are shareware.

Here are some that made into our forum

1. Nitro Pro/Enterprise 9.0.2.37

2. CutePDF Writer 3.0.0.6

3. PDFCreator 1.7.1

Note: I had replace the picture on step 4 above with the correct one.

Edited October 21, 2013 by nIGHT

[smallhagrid]

Thanks Again nIGHT !!!

As it happens, Nitro is one I already have as well as Foxit, NovaPDF, PDFFactory and Sonic PDF.

I did have PDFCreator and CutePDF before on the PC that died on me and saw no reason to re-install them.

The one I am hoping to find brags that it is specifically for web pages - I only wish I could remember it's name ?!?!?

Maybe there are others that have the same brag point too, I don't know.

Searching on "web page printer" brings a zillion (mostly useless) results - like extensions for IE (I only use Firefox) and goofy script things and recipes and also sites like http://www.printfriendly.com/ which is alot like PWL, and still I've not been able to re-locate any of what I remember finding before...woof.

Thanks.

[nIGHT]

Some apps like Nitro do still have some shortcomings on some webpages.

I also search before for a "killer app" on webpage for pdf conversion software/extension. Haven't finished to evaluate and test all of them.

If I do encounter one that impress me I will notify you. ;)

[dcs18]

Check out the unbeatable quality of the prints of the 2 web pages (at the download link in my signature.) 8)

Edited March 30, 2014 by dcs18

[smallhagrid]

Looks like one that brags about doing things just right is here:

http://www.7-pdf.de/sites/default/files/downloads/7-pdf-website-converter/7-PDF_Website_Converter_Portable-v1.0.6.paf.exe

Portable & free too, so if it works well what could be better ?!?

More info here=>

http://www.7-pdf.de/en/products/7-pdf-website-converter

There's also a pro (pay) version, but I don't see anything great about that one.

Edited March 28, 2014 by smallhagrid

[hansbuddy]

Thanks for this one

There used to be a software to print save web pages

with the option of removing graphics like banners advertisements shown on the actual webpage

This helps to save printer ink and to keep saved pages file size small

by selecting which graphics you require to be saved

can anyone help locate such a software

TIA

Looks like one that brags about doing things just right is here:

http://www.7-pdf.de/sites/default/files/downloads/7-pdf-website-converter/7-PDF_Website_Converter_Portable-v1.0.6.paf.exe

Portable & free too, so if it works well what could be better ?!?

More info here=>

http://www.7-pdf.de/en/products/7-pdf-website-converter

There's also a pro (pay) version, but I don't see anything great about that one.

Edited March 30, 2014 by hansbuddy

[dcs18]

Thanks for this one

There used to be a software to print save web pages

with the option of removing graphics like banners advertisements shown on the actual webpage

This helps to save printer ink and to keep saved pages file size small

by selecting which graphics you require to be saved

can anyone help locate such a software

TIA

You may try downloading the illustrations at the download link of my signature - have accomplished what you're looking for using a different method, though. However, the quality of the prints are unbeatable. :showoff:

[smallhagrid]

Hi Hansbuddy.

Thanks for this one

There used to be a software to print save web pages

with the option of removing graphics like banners advertisements shown on the actual webpage

This helps to save printer ink and to keep saved pages file size small

by selecting which graphics you require to be saved

can anyone help locate such a software

TIA

Mostly I find I get the best results using bookmarklets in my browser for PrintWhatYouLike (http://www.printwhatyoulike.com/bookmarklet) and/or Printliminator (http://css-tricks.com/print-better-with-the-printliminator/).

Another I use is the PrintEdit extension for Firefox (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/print-edit/) and then I just use an installed PDF virtual printer to get the file from it.

The main reason I started this thread is that making PDFs from some site's pages can be more problematic than others - and a great many get very badly chopped up or chopped down and are difficult to get at all.

Sometimes I end up trying a bunch of times and ultimately give up on the PDF route altogether.

Usually then I just save the page as HTML instead - then monkey around with it as a local file if I have the time & inclination to do so.

I wish you well in finding what works best for you !!

[avmad]

How about MetaProducts Offline Explorer?

[smallhagrid]

Thanks Avmad:

How about MetaProducts Offline Explorer?

I've tried that app before but never thought to use it for making PDFs from web pages...an interesting idea.

Most of the ones I do use are helpful as they allow excess stuff to be removed before saving.

One that I liked alot and used to use was Fireshot for Firefox - which Dodel mentioned earlier here.

It is a very nice, very full-featured add-on, but for me it was a bit over-the top with too many features and it cluttered up the browser with the many icons it makes so when I had to re-do my PC it didn't get re-installed.

FireShot Pro - Capture + Annotate Webpage Screenshot captures entirely, edits and saves your webpages.

The newest FireShot Pro Webpage Screenshot version (currently 0.98.52) is available for downloading from FireShot's home: http://getfireshot.com

The FireShot Pro Webpage Screenshot edition adds features such as:

* Printing screenshot
* Saving screenshot to multi-page PDF
* Capturing all tabs in one click
* Advanced Editor
* Capturing screenshots as PDF files
* Crop and Resize screenshot functionality
* Undo/Redo
* Clipboard
* Uploading screenshots to custom HTTP or FTP servers
* Work with projects

FireShot Pro Webpage Screenshot is available for Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Seamonkey and Thunderbird. You can get it here: http://getfireshot.com

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fireshot/?src=search

If you go to it's home site you'll see it has 2 versions and the 'pro' is payware for $40:

Activating FireShot Pro

FireShot is available in two versions: a simple and free one and a Pro version.

Though the simple version typically suits 80% of usual user's needs, there's a Pro version that provides a rich set of advanced features:

— Multi-editor interface. You can switch between captures, use clipboard to exchange annotation objects.

— Uploading to Flickr, Google Picasa, ImageShack, EasyCaptures. Use these services to store your captures at image hosting engine.

— Easily customized uploads to FTP and HTTP servers. For example, you can automate the bug-tracking engine you're using, or simply store images at your server.

— Organizing files into projects. Everything can be stored as a project without anything being lost. You can reload it and continue your work exactly from the place you stopped previously.

— Saving and Loading graphic files. You can add comments to your photos by dragging and dropping them onto the Editor. The files will be opened automatically.

— Work with clipboard. Copy any bitmaps to your clipboard in your favorite editor or take a screenshot by pressing Print Screen and open it in FireShot in two clicks. Have a nice screenshot in Internet Explorer? Now you can easily transfer it to FireShot. With FireShot you can edit anything that can be copied to your clipboard!

— Printing. Browsers sometimes do not print documents exactly as you want them to. FireShot Pro will give you the exact printout you want.

— Custom bitmaps for watermarking.

You can give a try to the full Pro Version with a switch and use it for free in a 30 day period. The Pro Version features will be automatically turned off after the trial period runs out. This means that you will continue to use the program as free version.

Edited March 31, 2014 by smallhagrid

[hansbuddy]

Thank you all for your contibutions

I appreciate it

Out of all above Fireshot works good

but like the above poster

I would like to have a simple tool which helps Print or Save a webpage as a PDF

and at the same time easily allows me to remove unwanted graphics, banners, ads , etc

I invite friends on this forum to share their ideas and experiences

Thanks

:-)

[Kalju]

But somehow, no one would talk, that to save a full web page, which is entirely possible, and also that possibility, what works for almost any webpage (flash may not always work).

Open here: http://pdfmyurl.com/ or click on the logo


You can also use, for example, the partial Forum conversion, such as this sample: (copy-paste and convert)
http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/190116-how-do-you-print-a-web-page-so-as-to-keep-it-around/?p=770721

Edited April 11, 2014 by Kalju

[dcs18]

Here's another example of the best way to print a web (the name of the article is Spot_The_Linux) - check out the quality and also the degree of annotation that's possible:--

http://www.mediafire.com/download/5mi9avv2fjmlzy3/Spot_The_Linux.rar