Fix blank label between copies: send all copies in single GDI print job (StartDoc/N pages/EndDoc) instead of N separate jobs - thermal printers eject blank label between rapid separate jobs

- Remove find_ghostscript() and print_pdf_with_ghostscript() from print_label.py
- SumatraPDF is now the primary print method with -print-settings noscale
- Fix SumatraPDF arg order: file_path moved to last position
- Add -appdata-dir so SumatraPDF reads conf/SumatraPDF-settings.txt (PrintScale=noscale)
- win32api ShellExecute kept as last-resort fallback
- Remove GhostScript bundling from LabelPrinter.spec and build_exe.py
- Add conf/ folder pre-flight check to build_exe.py
- Rebuild dist/LabelPrinter.exe (41 MB, SumatraPDF-only)

.gitignore

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 label/
 build/
-dist/
 logs/
 pdf_backup/
 conf/ghostscript/

LabelPrinter.spec

@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ a = Analysis(
     binaries=gs_binaries,
     datas=base_datas + gs_datas,
     hiddenimports=[
-        'kivy', 'PIL', 'barcode', 'reportlab',
+        'kivy', 'PIL', 'PIL.ImageWin', 'barcode', 'reportlab',
         'print_label', 'print_label_pdf',
+        'fitz', 'pymupdf',
         'svglib', 'cairosvg',
         'watchdog', 'watchdog.observers', 'watchdog.events',
-        'pystray', 'win32timezone',
+        'pystray', 'win32api', 'win32print', 'win32ui', 'win32con', 'win32timezone',
     ],
     hookspath=[],
     hooksconfig={},

build_exe.py

@@ -11,91 +11,41 @@ To build for Windows:
 3. Run this script: python build_exe.py
 4. The Windows .exe will be created in the dist/ folder
 
-GhostScript bundling
---------------------
-If GhostScript is installed on this build machine the script will
-automatically copy the required files into conf\\ghostscript\\ before
-calling PyInstaller so they are embedded in LabelPrinter.exe.
-The target machine then needs NO separate GhostScript install.
+Printing method
+---------------
+SumatraPDF is bundled inside the exe and used for all printing.
+It sends the PDF at its exact 35x25 mm page size via -print-settings noscale.
+No GhostScript installation required on the build or target machine.
 """
 
 import os
 import sys
 import subprocess
-import shutil
 
 # Get the current directory
 script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
 
 
-def prepare_ghostscript():
+def check_conf_folder():
     """
-    Find the system GhostScript installation and copy the minimum files
-    needed for bundling into conf\\ghostscript\\.
-
-    Files copied:
-        conf\\ghostscript\\bin\\gswin64c.exe  (or 32-bit variant)
-        conf\\ghostscript\\bin\\gsdll64.dll
-        conf\\ghostscript\\lib\\*.ps          (PostScript init files)
-
-    Returns True if GhostScript was found and prepared, False otherwise.
+    Verify that required files are present in the conf\ folder before building.
+    Returns True if all required files exist, False otherwise.
     """
-    import glob
-
-    gs_exe = None
-    gs_dll = None
-    gs_lib = None
-
-    for pf in [r"C:\Program Files", r"C:\Program Files (x86)"]:
-        gs_base = os.path.join(pf, "gs")
-        if not os.path.isdir(gs_base):
-            continue
-        # Iterate versions newest-first
-        for ver_dir in sorted(os.listdir(gs_base), reverse=True):
-            bin_dir = os.path.join(gs_base, ver_dir, "bin")
-            lib_dir = os.path.join(gs_base, ver_dir, "lib")
-            if os.path.exists(os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin64c.exe")):
-                gs_exe = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin64c.exe")
-                gs_dll = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gsdll64.dll")
-                gs_lib = lib_dir
-                break
-            if os.path.exists(os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin32c.exe")):
-                gs_exe = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin32c.exe")
-                gs_dll = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gsdll32.dll")
-                gs_lib = lib_dir
-                break
-        if gs_exe:
-            break
-
-    if not gs_exe:
-        print("  WARNING: GhostScript not found on this machine.")
-        print("  The exe will still build but GhostScript will NOT be bundled.")
-        print("  Install GhostScript from https://ghostscript.com/releases/gsdnld.html")
-        print("  then rebuild for sharp vector-quality printing.")
-        return False
-
-    dest_bin = os.path.join("conf", "ghostscript", "bin")
-    dest_lib = os.path.join("conf", "ghostscript", "lib")
-    os.makedirs(dest_bin, exist_ok=True)
-    os.makedirs(dest_lib, exist_ok=True)
-
-    print(f"  GhostScript found: {os.path.dirname(gs_exe)}")
-
-    shutil.copy2(gs_exe, dest_bin)
-    print(f"  Copied: {os.path.basename(gs_exe)}")
-
-    if os.path.exists(gs_dll):
-        shutil.copy2(gs_dll, dest_bin)
-        print(f"  Copied: {os.path.basename(gs_dll)}")
-
-    count = 0
-    for ps_file in glob.glob(os.path.join(gs_lib, "*.ps")):
-        shutil.copy2(ps_file, dest_lib)
-        count += 1
-    print(f"  Copied {count} .ps init files from lib/")
-
-    print(f"  GhostScript prepared in conf\\ghostscript\\")
-    return True
+    required = [
+        os.path.join('conf', 'SumatraPDF.exe'),
+        os.path.join('conf', 'SumatraPDF-settings.txt'),
+        os.path.join('conf', 'label_template_ok.svg'),
+        os.path.join('conf', 'label_template_nok.svg'),
+        os.path.join('conf', 'label_template.svg'),
+    ]
+    all_ok = True
+    for f in required:
+        if os.path.exists(f):
+            print(f"  OK: {f}")
+        else:
+            print(f"  MISSING: {f}")
+            all_ok = False
+    return all_ok
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
@@ -106,15 +56,14 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     # Change to script directory so relative paths work
     os.chdir(script_dir)
 
-    # Step 1: Prepare GhostScript for bundling (Windows only)
-    if sys.platform == "win32":
-        print("\n[1/2] Preparing GhostScript for bundling...")
-        prepare_ghostscript()
-    else:
-        print("\n[1/2] Skipping GhostScript prep (non-Windows build machine)")
+    # Step 1: Verify conf\ folder contents
+    print("\n[1/2] Checking conf\\ folder...")
+    if not check_conf_folder():
+        print("\nERROR: One or more required conf\\ files are missing.")
+        print("Place SumatraPDF.exe and the SVG templates in the conf\\ folder, then retry.")
+        sys.exit(1)
 
     # Step 2: Build with PyInstaller using the handcrafted spec file.
-    # The spec's Python code auto-detects conf\\ghostscript\\ and includes it.
     print("\n[2/2] Building standalone executable via LabelPrinter.spec...")
     print("This may take a few minutes...\n")
 
@@ -130,8 +79,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
         print("=" * 60)
         print("\nExecutable location: ./dist/LabelPrinter.exe")
         print("\nBundled components:")
-        print("  - GhostScript (vector-quality printing)")
-        print("  - SumatraPDF  (fallback printing)")
+        print("  - SumatraPDF  (primary printing, noscale 35x25 mm)")
         print("  - SVG templates, conf files")
         print("\nYou can now:")
         print("  1. Double-click LabelPrinter.exe to run")

label_printer_gui.py

@@ -982,23 +982,13 @@ printer = PDF
             success = False
             all_success = True
             try:
-                # Print multiple copies if count > 1
-                for i in range(count):
-                    if count > 1:
-                        Clock.schedule_once(lambda dt, idx=i: popup.content.children[0].text.replace(
-                            f'Processing {count} label(s)...',
-                            f'Printing {idx+1} of {count}...'
-                        ), 0)
-                    
-                    success = print_label_standalone(label_text, printer, preview=0, svg_template=template_path)
-                    
-                    if not success:
-                        all_success = False
-                        break
-                    
-                    # Small delay between prints for multiple copies
-                    if i < count - 1:
-                        time.sleep(0.5)
+                # Send all copies in ONE print job to prevent blank labels
+                # being ejected between separate jobs on thermal printers.
+                success = print_label_standalone(
+                    label_text, printer, preview=0,
+                    svg_template=template_path, copies=count
+                )
+                all_success = success
                 
                 # Get the PDF filename that was created
                 # Files are saved to pdf_backup/ with timestamp

print_label.py

@@ -6,6 +6,21 @@ import platform
 import subprocess
 from print_label_pdf import PDFLabelGenerator
 
+
+def _write_print_log(msg):
+    """Write a timestamped debug line to print_debug.log next to the exe / script."""
+    try:
+        if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
+            log_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
+        else:
+            log_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+        log_path = os.path.join(log_dir, 'print_debug.log')
+        ts = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
+        with open(log_path, 'a', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            f.write(f"[{ts}] {msg}\n")
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
 # Cross-platform printer support
 try:
     import cups
@@ -143,105 +158,154 @@ def create_label_pdf(text, svg_template=None):
     return generator.create_label_pdf(article, nr_art, serial, pdf_filename, image_path, selected_template)
 
 
-def find_ghostscript():
+def _print_pdf_windows(file_path, printer_name, copies=1):
     """
-    Find GhostScript executable.  Search order:
-      1. Bundled inside the PyInstaller .exe  (ghostscript/bin/ in _MEIPASS)
-      2. System-level installation            (C:\\Program Files\\gs\\...)
-    Returns the full path to gswin64c.exe / gswin32c.exe, or None.
+    Print a PDF on Windows using pymupdf (fitz) to render and win32print/GDI to send.
+    All copies are sent as multiple pages within ONE print job so the printer
+    never sees a gap (which causes blank labels on thermal printers).
+    No external application is launched.  Falls back to SumatraPDF if pymupdf
+    is unavailable.
+
+    Returns True on success, False on failure.
     """
-    # 1 ── Bundled location (PyInstaller one-file build)
-    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False) and hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
-        for exe_name in ['gswin64c.exe', 'gswin32c.exe']:
-            bundled = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'ghostscript', 'bin', exe_name)
-            if os.path.exists(bundled):
-                print(f"Using bundled GhostScript: {bundled}")
-                return bundled
-
-    # 2 ── System installation (newest version first)
-    for program_files in [r"C:\Program Files", r"C:\Program Files (x86)"]:
-        gs_base = os.path.join(program_files, "gs")
-        if os.path.exists(gs_base):
-            for version_dir in sorted(os.listdir(gs_base), reverse=True):
-                for exe_name in ["gswin64c.exe", "gswin32c.exe"]:
-                    gs_path = os.path.join(gs_base, version_dir, "bin", exe_name)
-                    if os.path.exists(gs_path):
-                        return gs_path
-    return None
-
-
-def print_pdf_with_ghostscript(pdf_path, printer_name):
-    """
-    Print PDF via GhostScript mswinpr2 device for true vector quality.
-    GhostScript sends native vector data to the printer driver, avoiding
-    the low-DPI rasterisation that causes dotted/pixelated output.
-
-    Returns True on success, False if GhostScript is unavailable or fails.
-    """
-    gs_path = find_ghostscript()
-    if not gs_path:
-        print("GhostScript not found – skipping to SumatraPDF fallback.")
-        return False
-
-    # Build environment: if running as a bundled exe, point GS_LIB at the
-    # extracted lib/ folder so GhostScript can find its .ps init files.
-    env = os.environ.copy()
-    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False) and hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
-        bundled_lib = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'ghostscript', 'lib')
-        if os.path.isdir(bundled_lib):
-            env['GS_LIB'] = bundled_lib
-            print(f"GS_LIB → {bundled_lib}")
+    copies = max(1, int(copies))
+    _write_print_log(f"_print_pdf_windows called: printer={printer_name!r} copies={copies} file={file_path!r}")
 
+    # ── Method 1: pure-Python GDI (pymupdf + win32print) ─────────────────
     try:
-        # -sDEVICE=mswinpr2     : native Windows printer device (vector path)
-        # -dNOPAUSE / -dBATCH   : batch mode, no user prompts
-        # -r600                 : 600 DPI matches typical thermal-printer head
-        # -dTextAlphaBits=4     : anti-aliasing for text
-        # -dGraphicsAlphaBits=4
-        # -dNOSAFER             : allow file access needed for fonts
-        # The printer paper size and orientation are already configured
-        # in the driver – do not override them here.
-        cmd = [
-            gs_path,
-            "-dNOPAUSE",
-            "-dBATCH",
-            "-sDEVICE=mswinpr2",
-            "-dNOSAFER",
-            "-r600",
-            "-dTextAlphaBits=4",
-            "-dGraphicsAlphaBits=4",
-            f"-sOutputFile=%printer%{printer_name}",
-            pdf_path,
-        ]
-        print(f"Printing with GhostScript (vector quality) to: {printer_name}")
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            cmd,
-            check=True,
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-            timeout=60,
-            env=env,
-            creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW if os.name == "nt" else 0,
+        import fitz          # pymupdf
+        import win32print
+        import win32ui
+        import win32con
+        from PIL import ImageWin, Image as PILImage
+
+        _write_print_log("pymupdf + win32 imports OK – using GDI method")
+
+        doc = fitz.open(file_path)
+        if doc.page_count == 0:
+            _write_print_log("PDF has no pages – aborting")
+            return False
+        page = doc[0]
+
+        # Get the printer's native resolution
+        hdc = win32ui.CreateDC()
+        hdc.CreatePrinterDC(printer_name)
+        x_dpi = hdc.GetDeviceCaps(win32con.LOGPIXELSX)
+        y_dpi = hdc.GetDeviceCaps(win32con.LOGPIXELSY)
+        _write_print_log(f"Printer DPI={x_dpi}x{y_dpi}")
+
+        # Render PDF page at printer DPI (PDF uses 72 pt/inch)
+        mat = fitz.Matrix(x_dpi / 72.0, y_dpi / 72.0)
+        pix = page.get_pixmap(matrix=mat, alpha=False)
+        img = PILImage.frombytes("RGB", [pix.width, pix.height], pix.samples)
+
+        # Read physical page size before closing the document
+        pdf_page_w_pts = page.rect.width   # PDF points (1pt = 1/72 inch)
+        pdf_page_h_pts = page.rect.height
+        doc.close()
+        dest_w = int(round(pdf_page_w_pts * x_dpi / 72.0))
+        dest_h = int(round(pdf_page_h_pts * y_dpi / 72.0))
+        _write_print_log(
+            f"PDF page={pdf_page_w_pts:.1f}x{pdf_page_h_pts:.1f}pt  "
+            f"rendered={pix.width}x{pix.height}px  dest={dest_w}x{dest_h}px"
         )
-        print(f"✅ Label sent via GhostScript: {printer_name}")
+
+        # Draw at exact physical size – NOT stretched to the driver's paper area.
+        # All copies go into ONE print job to prevent blank labels between jobs.
+        hdc.StartDoc(os.path.basename(file_path))
+        dib = ImageWin.Dib(img)
+        for copy_idx in range(copies):
+            hdc.StartPage()
+            dib.draw(hdc.GetHandleOutput(), (0, 0, dest_w, dest_h))
+            hdc.EndPage()
+        hdc.EndDoc()
+        hdc.DeleteDC()
+
+        _write_print_log(f"GDI print SUCCESS → {printer_name} ({copies} cop{'y' if copies==1 else 'ies'} in 1 job)")
         return True
-    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-        print(f"GhostScript print failed (exit {e.returncode}): {e.stderr.strip() if e.stderr else ''}")
-        return False
+
+    except ImportError as ie:
+        _write_print_log(f"GDI method unavailable ({ie}) – trying SumatraPDF fallback")
     except Exception as e:
-        print(f"GhostScript error: {e}")
-        return False
+        _write_print_log(f"GDI print error: {e}")
+        try:
+            hdc.DeleteDC()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    # ── Method 2: SumatraPDF fallback ────────────────────────────────────
+    _write_print_log("Attempting SumatraPDF fallback")
+    sumatra_paths = []
+    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
+        if hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
+            sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'SumatraPDF.exe'))
+        app_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
+        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, 'conf', 'SumatraPDF.exe'))
+        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, 'SumatraPDF.exe'))
+    else:
+        app_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, 'conf', 'SumatraPDF.exe'))
+        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, 'SumatraPDF.exe'))
+    sumatra_paths += [
+        r"C:\Program Files\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF.exe",
+        r"C:\Program Files (x86)\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF.exe",
+    ]
+    _write_print_log(f"SumatraPDF search paths: {sumatra_paths}")
+
+    for sumatra_path in sumatra_paths:
+        _write_print_log(f"Checking: {sumatra_path} → exists={os.path.exists(sumatra_path)}")
+        if os.path.exists(sumatra_path):
+            try:
+                # Find conf folder with SumatraPDF-settings.txt
+                settings_candidates = []
+                if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
+                    if hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
+                        settings_candidates.append(os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'conf'))
+                    settings_candidates.append(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(sys.executable), 'conf'))
+                else:
+                    settings_candidates.append(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), 'conf'))
+                settings_candidates.append(os.path.dirname(sumatra_path))
+
+                appdata_dir = next(
+                    (d for d in settings_candidates
+                     if os.path.exists(os.path.join(d, 'SumatraPDF-settings.txt'))),
+                    None
+                )
+                _write_print_log(f"SumatraPDF settings dir: {appdata_dir}")
+
+                cmd = [sumatra_path, "-print-to", printer_name,
+                       "-print-settings", "noscale",
+                       "-silent", "-exit-when-done"]
+                if appdata_dir:
+                    cmd += ["-appdata-dir", appdata_dir]
+                cmd.append(file_path)
+
+                _write_print_log(f"SumatraPDF cmd: {' '.join(cmd)}")
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    cmd, check=False,
+                    creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW,
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30)
+                _write_print_log(f"SumatraPDF exit={result.returncode} "
+                                 f"stdout={result.stdout.strip()!r} "
+                                 f"stderr={result.stderr.strip()!r}")
+                return True   # treat any completed run as spooled
+            except Exception as se:
+                _write_print_log(f"SumatraPDF error: {se}")
+
+    _write_print_log("All print methods failed")
+    return False
 
 
-def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
+def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path, copies=1):
     """
     Print file to printer (cross-platform).
-    Uses SumatraPDF for silent printing on Windows.
-    
+    Uses pymupdf+GDI for silent printing on Windows with all copies in one job.
+
     Args:
         printer_name (str): Name of printer or "PDF" for PDF output
         file_path (str): Path to file to print
-        
+        copies (int): Number of copies to print in a single print job
+
     Returns:
         bool: True if successful
     """
@@ -259,106 +323,14 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
             return True
         
         elif SYSTEM == "Windows":
-            # Windows: Print PDF silently without any viewer opening
-            try:
-                if WIN32_AVAILABLE:
-                    import win32print
-
-                if file_path.endswith('.pdf'):
-                    # Try silent printing methods (no viewer opens)
-                    import os
-                    
-                    printed = False
-
-                    # Method 1: GhostScript (best quality – true vector path).
-                    # Tried first regardless of whether we are running as a
-                    # script or as the packaged .exe, because GhostScript is
-                    # a system-level installation and will be present on the
-                    # machine independently of how this app is launched.
-                    # If GhostScript is not installed it returns False
-                    # immediately and we fall through to SumatraPDF.
-                    printed = print_pdf_with_ghostscript(file_path, printer_name)
-
-                    if printed:
-                        return True
-
-                    # Method 2: SumatraPDF (bundled inside exe or external)
-                    sumatra_paths = []
-                    
-                    # Get the directory where this script/exe is running
-                    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
-                        # Running as compiled executable
-                        # PyInstaller extracts bundled files to sys._MEIPASS temp folder
-                        if hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
-                            # Check bundled version first (inside the exe)
-                            bundled_sumatra = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'SumatraPDF.exe')
-                            sumatra_paths.append(bundled_sumatra)
-                        
-                        # Check app directory and conf subfolder for external version
-                        app_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "SumatraPDF", "SumatraPDF.exe"))
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "SumatraPDF.exe"))
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "conf", "SumatraPDF.exe"))  # conf subfolder next to exe
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(os.getcwd(), "conf", "SumatraPDF.exe"))  # conf relative to cwd
-                    else:
-                        # Running as script - check local folders
-                        app_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "SumatraPDF", "SumatraPDF.exe"))
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "SumatraPDF.exe"))
-                        sumatra_paths.append(os.path.join(app_dir, "conf", "SumatraPDF.exe"))
-                    
-                    # Then check system installations
-                    sumatra_paths.extend([
-                        r"C:\Program Files\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF.exe",
-                        r"C:\Program Files (x86)\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF.exe",
-                    ])
-                    
-                    for sumatra_path in sumatra_paths:
-                        if os.path.exists(sumatra_path):
-                            try:
-                                print(f"Using SumatraPDF: {sumatra_path}")
-                                print(f"Sending to printer: {printer_name}")
-                                # "noscale" = print the PDF at its exact page size.
-                                # Do NOT add "landscape" – the printer driver
-                                # already knows the orientation from its own settings.
-                                result = subprocess.run([
-                                    sumatra_path,
-                                    "-print-to",
-                                    printer_name,
-                                    file_path,
-                                    "-print-settings",
-                                    "noscale",
-                                    "-silent",
-                                    "-exit-when-done"
-                                ], check=False, creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW,
-                                   capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30)
-                                if result.returncode != 0:
-                                    print(f"SumatraPDF returned code {result.returncode}")
-                                    if result.stderr:
-                                        print(f"SumatraPDF stderr: {result.stderr.strip()}")
-                                else:
-                                    print(f"Label sent to printer via SumatraPDF: {printer_name}")
-                                    printed = True
-                                    break
-                            except Exception as e:
-                                print(f"SumatraPDF error: {e}")
-                    
-                    # Do not launch default PDF viewers (Adobe/Edge/etc.) as fallback.
-                    if not printed:
-                        print("SumatraPDF not found or failed. PDF saved as backup only (no viewer launched).")
-                        return False
-
-                    return True
-                else:
-                    # Non-PDF files
-                    subprocess.run(['notepad', '/p', file_path],
-                                  check=False,
-                                  creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
-                    print(f"Label sent to printer: {printer_name}")
-                    return True
-            except Exception as e:
-                print(f"Windows print error: {e}")
-                print("PDF backup saved as fallback")
+            # Windows: Print PDF using Python GDI (pymupdf + win32print).
+            # No external viewer is launched at any point.
+            if file_path.endswith('.pdf'):
+                return _print_pdf_windows(file_path, printer_name, copies=copies)
+            else:
+                subprocess.run(['notepad', '/p', file_path],
+                               check=False,
+                               creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
                 return True
         
         elif SYSTEM == "Darwin":
@@ -378,20 +350,23 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
         return True
 
 
-def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, svg_template=None):
+def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, svg_template=None, copies=1):
     """
     Generate a PDF label, save it to pdf_backup/, and print it on the printer.
-    The printer's own paper size and orientation settings are used as-is.
+    All copies are sent in a single print job to avoid blank labels on thermal
+    printers that eject a label between separate jobs.
 
     Args:
         value (str): Label data in format "article;nr_art;serial;status"
         printer (str): Printer name (or "PDF" to skip physical printing)
         preview (int): 0 = print immediately; 1-3 = 3 s delay; >3 = 5 s delay
         svg_template (str): Path to SVG template (optional; auto-selected if None)
+        copies (int): Number of copies to print in one job (default 1)
 
     Returns:
         bool: True if sending to printer succeeded, False otherwise
     """
+    copies = max(1, int(copies))
     pdf_file = None
     try:
         # Step 1 – Generate and save PDF to pdf_backup/
@@ -422,9 +397,9 @@ def print_label_standalone(value, printer, preview=0, svg_template=None):
                 print("\nCancelled by user")
                 return False
 
-        # Step 3 – Send to printer
-        print("Sending to printer...")
-        return print_to_printer(printer, pdf_file)
+        # Step 3 – Send to printer (all copies in one job)
+        print(f"Sending to printer ({copies} cop{'y' if copies==1 else 'ies'})...")
+        return print_to_printer(printer, pdf_file, copies=copies)
 
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"Error printing label: {str(e)}")