Method for providing predictive paper out status in a print network environment and printer

A method for providing a predictive out status of a printer is disclosed. The method comprises determining a media requirement of a job for the printer, determining that the proper amount of the media is within the printer, and determining if the job can be printed at the printer based upon the media requirement and the proper amount of media within the printer. In a second aspect, a method in a printer network is disclosed. The method comprises determining if a job can be printed in a default printer. The method further comprises querying all other printers in the network to determine if the job can be printed, if the job can not be printed at the default printer. The method then allows for printing the job at one of the other printers if the job can be printed at the one printer. In a system and method in accordance with the present invention, a predictive message is posted that the printer does not have sufficient paper to complete the task. The advantage to using this approach is posting a very specific error as to the printer's situation and then in enough time to stop the error before it occurs.