Print Spool Optimizer

OpenSource Project | Open for Contribution

A high-performance PDF flattening and compression utility designed to prevent printer memory overflow and optimize print spooling.

Python 3.8+ • MIT License • Open Source

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Overview

The Print Spool Optimizer is a Python utility designed to flatten and compress PDF documents. By converting complex vector graphics, fonts, and layers into standard grayscale images, it reduces the processing load on printer hardware. This prevents memory overflow and ensures rapid print spooling for large documents.

## Prerequisites * Python 3.8 or higher

Installation

To prevent dependency conflicts with your system's global Python installation, you must run this tool within an isolated virtual environment.

1. Create a Virtual Environment

Navigate to the root directory of this project in your terminal and execute the following command to create a virtual environment named venv:

python3 -m venv venv

2. Activate the Virtual Environment

You must activate the environment before installing dependencies or executing the script. Your terminal prompt will change to indicate the environment is active.

For macOS / Linux:

source venv/bin/activate

Windows (Command Prompt):

venv\Scripts\activate.bat

Windows (PowerShell):

venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

3. Install Dependencies

Once the virtual environment is active, install the required packages using the provided requirements file:

pip install -r requirements.txt

How to Execute this command :

python spool_optimizer.py -i input_file_name.pdf -o output_file_name.pdf

CLI Options

Flag	Default	Description
-i / --input	(required)	Path to the input PDF file
-o / --output	(required)	Path for the output PDF file
--dpi	100	Rasterization resolution (72–300)
--workers	0	Worker processes for parallel rendering. 0 = all CPU cores. 1 = sequential (no multiprocessing)

Example — use 4 workers for a large PDF:

python spool_optimizer.py -i large_doc.pdf -o output.pdf --dpi 150 --workers 4

Deactivation

When you are finished using the tool, you can exit the virtual environment by running:

deactivate

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Docker Deployment

Run the app in a fully isolated container — no Python or venv setup required.

Quick start with Docker Compose (recommended)

docker compose up --build

The web UI will be available at : http://localhost:5000.

Build and run manually

# Build the image
docker build -t pdf-spool-optimizer .

# Run the container
docker run -p 5000:5000 pdf-spool-optimizer

Stop the container

docker compose down

Runtime environment variables

Variable	Default	Description
FLASK_ENV	production	Set to development to enable debug mode
FLASK_HOST	127.0.0.1	Bind address (use 0.0.0.0 in containers)
FLASK_PORT	5000	Port the dev server listens on

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Author: Mathi Yuvarajan T.K

Contributors :

1. ANISH KARTHIC