I need a shortcut to print a pre-selected file use with a calendar automation app

Question

I need a shortcut to print a pre-selected file use with a calendar automation app

I am a photography enthusiast and have professional photo printer than needs to be used at least once a week to keep the print head from drying out. I am looking for a way to automatically print a pdf (or other ) color image file on a periodic basis when I am not at home. I found an app that will run shortcuts from calendar entries (Calendar Automation), but it works by running shortcuts. I need a shortcut to execute a print command for a specific file. Does anyone know if and how I can create such a shortcut. Any ideas for this approach or another work flow would be greatly appreciated. I will be running this using OS Monterey on an old mac mini.

Many Thanks.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Dec 10, 2024 9:56 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,996 points

Dec 10, 2024 11:50 AM in response to Paint-with-Light

You should be able to do this with a combination of the built-in Calendar app + Automator.

Create an Automator Application with these actions:

Get specified Finder items

(add your selected PDF or other printable file to this action)

Print Finder items

Save the application

Create a repeating Calendar event

Calendar > New Event

In the new event,

Click "Add Alert, Repeat or Travel Time"
- Set the initial date & time
- Set the repeat interval
- Click "Alert"
- Select "Custom"
  - Select "Open File"
  - Click where it says "Calendar," then select "Other"
  - Navigate to & select the Automator application you created earlier
  - Click OK

Reply

I need a shortcut to print a pre-selected file use with a calendar automation app

Similar questions