Websites Should Be Printable

Websites you print will now render with better formatting, especially for text and links.

Brennen Puth, a graduating computer science student seeking work, has implemented CSS print styling on his personal website to improve the readability of printed pages. Puth found that the default print output of his website was unsatisfactory, with text formatting issues, an unappealing header, and gray links. To address this, he incorporated CSS media queries and specific classes like `onlyPrint` and `noPrint` to control which elements appear and how they are styled when printed. His adjustments include setting standard font sizes for paragraphs and headers, ensuring links render in black for grayscale printing, and hiding elements like the website header that do not translate well to print. Puth acknowledges that optimizing print styles can be time-consuming and that fewer people may print web pages now, but he believes providing a better printing experience is a thoughtful gesture to users.

The author's efforts highlight a resurgence of interest in print stylesheets, a feature that was more prominent in earlier web design but has seen declining attention. While many users primarily consume content digitally, the author argues that providing a high-quality print experience is a user-friendly consideration that enhances accessibility and engagement for those who prefer or require printed materials. This approach caters to a niche but dedicated user base and reflects a broader philosophy of thoughtful software design. The technical implementation, involving CSS media queries and element-specific styling, demonstrates that achieving good print output is achievable with dedicated effort.

This advocacy for print-optimized websites suggests a potential gap in user experience that designers and developers might overlook in a mobile-first or digital-centric world. As the author notes, even relatively simple websites can require significant time to perfect print styles, which may explain why this functionality is often neglected. However, the author's own experience and the provision of his CSS snippet offer a practical starting point for others. The call to action encourages more web creators to consider the print medium, potentially leading to a higher standard of printability across the web.