A Python script to combine multiple images onto a single A4 page, useful for printing. Supports various layouts: 2 or 4 images per page, in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Features natural sorting for filenames and an interactive confirmation prompt.

combine_images.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-

import os
import sys
from PIL import Image
import argparse
from pathlib import Path
import re

def natural_sort_key(s):
    """
    Key for natural sorting of strings with numbers.
    e.g. "1.png", "2.png", "10.png" instead of "1.png", "10.png", "2.png"
    """
    return [int(text) if text.isdigit() else text.lower()
            for text in re.split(r'(\d+)', str(s))]

def combine_images(input_folder, output_folder="done", four_images=False, vertical_layout=False):
    """
    Combines multiple images onto a single A4 sheet.
    
    Args:
        input_folder: Path to folder with input images.
        output_folder: Path to output folder (default: "done").
        four_images: If True, place 4 images per page instead of 2.
        vertical_layout: If True, use a vertical A4 sheet for horizontal images.
    """
    if four_images and vertical_layout:
        print("Error: The --four and --vertical parameters cannot be used at the same time.")
        return

    # Create output directory if it doesn't exist
    output_path = Path(output_folder)
    output_path.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
    
    # Get all image files
    image_extensions = ['.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.tiff', '.tif']
    image_files = []
    
    for ext in image_extensions:
        image_files.extend(list(Path(input_folder).glob(f'*{ext}')))
        image_files.extend(list(Path(input_folder).glob(f'*{ext.upper()}')))
    
    # Remove duplicates and use "natural" sorting
    image_files = sorted(list(set(image_files)), key=lambda x: natural_sort_key(x.name))
    
    total_files = len(image_files)
    print(f"Found {total_files} images")
    
    # Print the list of all files for verification
    print("List of all files:")
    for i, img_file in enumerate(image_files):
        print(f"  {i+1}. {img_file.name}")
    
    # Determine groups for combining
    groups = []
    images_per_page = 4 if four_images else 2
    for i in range(0, total_files, images_per_page):
        groups.append(image_files[i:i + images_per_page])

    # Print the list of groups for verification
    print(f"\nGroups to be combined ({images_per_page} per page):")
    for i, group in enumerate(groups):
        names = ' + '.join([img.name for img in group])
        print(f"  Group {i+1}: {names}")
    
    # Request confirmation
    confirm = input("\nContinue with these groups? (y/n): ")
    if confirm.lower() != 'y':
        print("Operation cancelled by user.")
        return
    
    # Image combination process
    for idx, image_group in enumerate(groups):
        if vertical_layout:
            # Vertical A4 sheet (portrait)
            combined = Image.new('RGB', (2480, 3508), (255, 255, 255))
            # Two horizontal A5 areas
            max_width, max_height = 2480, 1754
            positions = [(0, 0), (0, max_height)]
        else:
            # Horizontal A4 sheet (landscape)
            combined = Image.new('RGB', (3508, 2480), (255, 255, 255))
            if four_images:
                # Logic for 4 images (A6)
                max_width, max_height = 1754, 1240 # Quadrant size for A6
                positions = [
                    (0, 0), (max_width, 0),
                    (0, max_height), (max_width, max_height)
                ]
            else:
                # Logic for 2 images (A5)
                max_width, max_height = 1748, 2480
                positions = [(0, 0), (max_width, 0)]

        for i, img_path in enumerate(image_group):
            img = Image.open(img_path)
            
            # Resize image
            width, height = img.size
            ratio = min(max_width / width, max_height / height)
            new_width = int(width * ratio)
            new_height = int(height * ratio)
            img_resized = img.resize((new_width, new_height), Image.LANCZOS)
            
            # Position image
            pos_x, pos_y = positions[i]
            paste_x = pos_x + (max_width - new_width) // 2
            paste_y = pos_y + (max_height - new_height) // 2
            combined.paste(img_resized, (paste_x, paste_y))

        # Save the combined image
        output_filename = f"{output_path}/combined_{idx + 1}.jpg"
        combined.save(output_filename, quality=95, dpi=(300, 300))
        group_names = ' + '.join([p.name for p in image_group])
        print(f"Combined: {group_names} -> {output_filename}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Combine images onto A4 sheets.')
    parser.add_argument('input_folder', help='Folder containing input images.')
    parser.add_argument('--output_folder', default='done', help='Output folder for combined images.')
    parser.add_argument('--four', action='store_true', help='Place 4 images per page (A6 format).')
    parser.add_argument('-v', '--vertical', action='store_true', help='Stack images on a vertical sheet.')
    
    args = parser.parse_args()
    
    combine_images(args.input_folder, args.output_folder, args.four, args.vertical)
    print("All images processed successfully!")

Image Combination Script

This Python script automatically combines multiple images into a single A4 sheet, which is convenient for printing. The script supports various layout modes: 2 or 4 images per page, in both horizontal and vertical orientations.

Key Features

• Combine 2 Images: Places two images side-by-side on a horizontal A4 sheet (each in an A5-sized area).
• Combine 4 Images: Arranges four images in a 2x2 grid on a horizontal A4 sheet (each in an A6-sized area).
• Vertical Layout: Places two images on top of each other on a vertical A4 sheet.
• Natural Sorting: Correctly sorts files with numbers in their names (e.g., 1.png, 2.png, 10.png) to ensure pairs are formed in a logical order.
• Interactive Confirmation: Before processing, the script shows which files will be grouped and asks for user confirmation.
• Handles Odd Numbers: If there's a leftover image without a pair, it will be placed on a separate sheet.

Requirements

• Python 3
• Pillow library:

  pip install Pillow

Usage

1. Save the script as combine_images.py.
2. Place all the images you want to combine into a single folder.
3. Open your terminal or command prompt and run the command with the desired mode.

Command Examples

• Default mode (2 images on a horizontal sheet):

  python combine_images.py "path/to/your/folder"

• 4-image mode:

  python combine_images.py "path/to/your/folder" --four

• Vertical mode (2 images stacked):

  python combine_images.py "path/to/your/folder" --vertical

• Specifying an output folder:

  python combine_images.py "path/to/your/folder" --output_folder "finished_files"