diff --git a/print_label.py b/print_label.py
index 36552aa..3cf6c17 100644
--- a/print_label.py
+++ b/print_label.py
@@ -346,19 +346,21 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
 def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, use_pdf=True):
     """
     Print a label with the specified text on the specified printer.
+    Always generates a PDF backup in pdf_backup and prints that PDF.
     
     Args:
         value (str): The text to print on the label
         printer (str): The name of the printer to use
         preview (int): 0 = no preview, 1-3 = 3s preview, >3 = 5s preview
-        use_pdf (bool): True to use PDF (recommended for quality), False for PNG
+        use_pdf (bool): False to also generate a PNG if PDF generation fails
     
     Returns:
         bool: True if printing was successful, False otherwise
     """
-    # For tracking if file was created
+    # Track generated files
     file_created = False
     temp_file = None
+    pdf_file = None
     
     try:
         # Debug output
@@ -366,19 +368,32 @@ def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, use_pdf=True):
         print(f"Preview type: {type(preview)}")
         print(f"Using format: {'PDF' if use_pdf else 'PNG'}")
         
-        # Create label in selected format
-        if use_pdf:
-            temp_file = create_label_pdf(value)
-            print(f"PDF label created: {temp_file}")
-            print(f"PDF backup saved to: {temp_file}")
+        # Always generate a PDF backup and print that PDF for verification
+        try:
+            pdf_file = create_label_pdf(value)
+            if pdf_file and os.path.exists(pdf_file):
+                print(f"PDF label created: {pdf_file}")
+                print(f"PDF backup saved to: {pdf_file}")
+            else:
+                print("PDF generation returned no file path")
+        except Exception as pdf_err:
+            print(f"PDF generation failed: {pdf_err}")
+
+        # Optionally also create the label image (PNG)
+        if not pdf_file or not os.path.exists(pdf_file):
+            if not use_pdf:
+                label_img = create_label_image(value)
+                temp_file = 'final_label.png'
+                label_img.save(temp_file)
+                print(f"PNG label created: {temp_file}")
         else:
-            # Create the label image (PNG)
-            label_img = create_label_image(value)
-            temp_file = 'final_label.png'
-            label_img.save(temp_file)
-            print(f"PNG label created: {temp_file}")
+            temp_file = pdf_file
         
         file_created = True
+
+        if not temp_file or not os.path.exists(temp_file):
+            print("No label file created for printing")
+            return False
         
         # Convert preview to int if it's a string
         if isinstance(preview, str):
@@ -417,8 +432,8 @@ def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, use_pdf=True):
         
     finally:
         # This block always executes, ensuring cleanup
-        if use_pdf:
-            print(f"Cleanup complete - PDF backup saved to pdf_backup folder")
+        if pdf_file and os.path.exists(pdf_file):
+            print("Cleanup complete - PDF backup saved to pdf_backup folder")
         else:
             print("Cleanup complete - label file retained for reference")
 
diff --git a/sample_data.txt b/sample_data.txt
index 396a030..5764bfc 100644
--- a/sample_data.txt
+++ b/sample_data.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212-TEST
\ No newline at end of file
+COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212
\ No newline at end of file