A print service, preferably realized as a web site or part of web site,
supports print by reference operations. Software hosted or accessible by
the web site performs the required functions. The print service, using a
protocol, accepts a reference to print content, resolves the reference,
obtains the print content, transcodes the print content into a print
device ready format, and allows the print client access to the transcoded
print data. The print service method realized by such a web site provides
commercial potential for web services and content provider partnerships,
as a preferred use of the print service might commence with a user of a
portable wireless device obtaining a reference to print content while web
surfing, communicating that content, for example via a Bluetooth wireless
connection to the print device, which then uses the print service to
resolve and process the print by reference communication.