# Label Printer - Portable Deployment Guide

## Deployment Structure

The app is now **fully self-contained** with SumatraPDF embedded inside:

```
LabelPrinter/
├── LabelPrinter.exe          # Main application (includes SumatraPDF inside)
├── pdf_backup/               # Auto-created: PDF backups
└── logs/                     # Auto-created: Print logs
```

**No visible folders!** SumatraPDF is bundled inside LabelPrinter.exe and extracted to a temporary location at runtime.

## Setup Instructions

### 1. Download SumatraPDF (For Building Only)

**This step is only needed when building the app.** SumatraPDF will be embedded inside the executable.

```powershell
# PowerShell command to download SumatraPDF
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File setup_sumatra.ps1
```

This downloads SumatraPDF portable (~5 MB) to the `SumatraPDF` folder.

### 2. Build the Application

```powershell
.\build_windows.ps1
```

The build script will:
- Check for SumatraPDF
- Bundle it inside the executable
- Create `dist\LabelPrinter.exe` (~80 MB including all dependencies)

### 3. Deploy

**Simply copy `LabelPrinter.exe` to any Windows machine!**

```
📁 Deployment (any folder)
└── LabelPrinter.exe  ← Just this one file!
```

- No installation needed
- No additional files or folders
- Double-click to run
- Works on any Windows 10/11 machine

## Features

- ✅ **Single Executable** - Everything bundled in one .exe file (~80 MB)
- ✅ **Fully Portable** - No installation needed, no external dependencies
- ✅ **Silent Printing** - No PDF viewer windows pop up
- ✅ **Network Printers** - Supports printers from print servers (e.g. `\\server\printer`)
- ✅ **PDF Backup** - All labels saved to `pdf_backup/` folder
- ✅ **Print Logging** - CSV logs in `logs/` folder
- ✅ **SumatraPDF Hidden** - Embedded inside, not visible to users

## Printer Name Display

Network printer names (e.g. `\\filesibiusb05\ZDesigner_ZQ630`) are automatically shortened to 20 characters in the dropdown for better display. The full printer name is used for actual printing.

## Troubleshooting

### Printing Not Working

1. **Check Printer Connection**: Verify printer is online and accessible
2. **Check PDF Backup**: Labels are always saved to `pdf_backup/` folder even if printing fails
3. **Check Logs**: View print logs in `logs/` folder for error messages
4. **Rebuild App**: If you built the app yourself, ensure `setup_sumatra.ps1` was run first to download SumatraPDF before building

### Network Printers Not Showing

- Network printers must be installed/connected on the machine before running the app
- For print server printers like `\\filesibiusb05\printer`, ensure the share is accessible
- Run as administrator if printer enumeration fails

## Notes

- First run may be slower (Kivy initialization)
- PDF backups are auto-deleted after 5 days
- Log files are auto-deleted after 5 days
- Supports Python 3.10-3.13 (Python 3.14+ may have issues with Kivy)