Printing emails from Gmail is a useful way to keep physical copies of important messages. Whether you need to file a receipt post a letter for your records or carry a document for a meeting Gmail makes the process simple and accessible from almost any device. In this guide we will walk you through the steps to print emails from Gmail using desktop and mobile devices. We will also cover formatting tips and troubleshooting in case your printouts are not displaying as expected.
Printing Gmail Emails from a Computer
The easiest way to print an email from Gmail is by using a desktop or laptop. Gmail’s interface on web browsers like Chrome Safari and Edge offers a built-in print feature that is straightforward and clean. First sign in to your Gmail account at mail.google.com. Open the email you want to print. Look for the printer icon near the top-right corner of the message. This icon appears next to the reply button. When you click it a new window opens showing a printer-friendly version of the message.
Your browser’s print dialogue will open automatically. Here you can choose the printer change the number of copies select the page layout and preview the output. Once you are satisfied click Print. The message will be sent to your chosen printer.
Using the Browser Print Option
Alternatively you can press Ctrl + P on Windows or Command + P on a Mac while viewing the email. This opens the standard print dialogue in your browser. Although this method works well it may include unwanted items from the Gmail interface like sidebars and navigation menus. Using Gmail’s dedicated print icon helps ensure you only print the email content without extra visual clutter.
Printing Gmail Emails from a Mobile Device
If you are using the Gmail app on your smartphone or tablet you can also print directly from there. Start by opening the Gmail app and selecting the email you want to print. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and choose Print. This brings up your device’s print options. Make sure your phone is connected to a wireless printer or cloud print service.
On Android devices the print option uses the default printing service. On iPhones the Print feature will access AirPrint compatible printers. If your printer does not appear on the list check that it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device and is compatible with mobile printing.
Printing Attachments in Gmail
Sometimes the email itself is not what you need to print. It may be the attached file such as a PDF Word document or image. To print an attachment open the email then tap or click the attachment to open it. Once it is open you can print it by using the print function within the viewer or your browser. If the file opens in Google Docs or Drive you may need to download it first and then print using the appropriate application.
Formatting and Troubleshooting
Gmail typically handles email formatting well when printing. However some messages with complex layouts may not look perfect on paper. If the formatting is off try copying the email into a document editor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. This allows you to adjust the layout font size or remove any extra content before printing.
If your email is not printing at all make sure your printer is properly connected and has enough paper and ink. It is also worth checking your printer settings and making sure the correct device is selected in the print menu.
Printing Email Threads
If your email contains a long conversation thread you might not want to print the entire history. Gmail allows you to expand or collapse individual messages within the thread. Expand only the parts you need before clicking the print icon. This can help save ink and paper and keep your printouts more focused.
Saving Emails as PDFs for Later Printing
Another helpful tip is to save an email as a PDF before printing. In the print dialogue choose Save as PDF instead of selecting a printer. This creates a digital version of your email which you can store on your device or print later. It is especially useful for filing records or sending documents that do not need to be printed immediately.
Final Thoughts
Printing emails from Gmail is a quick and effective process whether you are at your desk or using a phone. The built-in tools are reliable and compatible with most modern printers. If you experience formatting problems or connectivity issues there are simple workarounds available. With just a few clicks you can produce a tidy paper version of any important message.