Print Windows form in c#

Question

I am trying to print a form using this code:

private void btnPrint_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        Graphics g1 = this.CreateGraphics();
              


        

Answer 1

I had the same task and I have created a class (like printable form). All you have to do is to inherit your Form from that class and call PrintForm(); method. Here is the class:

public class CustomForm : Form
{
    protected Bitmap _prnImage;
    protected PrintPreviewDialog _prnpreviewdlg = new PrintPreviewDialog();
    protected PrintDocument _printdoc = new PrintDocument();

    public CustomForm()
    {
        _printdoc.PrintPage += new PrintPageEventHandler(printdoc_PrintPage);
    }

    protected void PrintForm()
    {
        Form form = this;
        _prnImage = new Bitmap(form.Width, form.Height);
        form.DrawToBitmap(_prnImage, new Rectangle(0, 0, form.Width, form.Height));
        _printdoc.DefaultPageSettings.Landscape = true;
        _printdoc.DefaultPageSettings.Margins = new Margins(10, 10, 10, 10);
        _prnpreviewdlg.Document = _printdoc;
        _prnpreviewdlg.ShowDialog();
    }
    protected void printdoc_PrintPage(object sender, PrintPageEventArgs e)
    {
        Rectangle pagearea = e.PageBounds;
        e.Graphics.DrawImage(_prnImage, e.MarginBounds);
    }

    protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs e)
    {
        if (_prnImage != null)
        {
            e.Graphics.DrawImage(_prnImage, 0, 0);
            base.OnPaint(e);
        }
    }
}

I understand that interface is a more academic and correct way to do that but in my particular case that solution satisfied me.