Linux: How to print PDF files from the command line

Sometimes you may want to print files from the command line, especially when you have lots of them.
You can use lp for that.

To print a single example.pdf file on your default printer, simply say:

lp example.pdf

lp accepts multiple filenames, so to print all PDF files in the current directory:

lp *.pdf

You can specify a printer via the -d switch:

lp -d YOUR_PRINTER_NAME *.pdf

Your printer's name is then one you defined on your system. You can check with your CUPS configuration by visiting http://localhost:631/printers. So, for example:

lp -d Brother-MFC-9840CDW *.pdf

Plain-text or PostScript files are also supported.