Just started a new porject that will involve automating the print of .pdf files

I've just tried using this:

NET USE LPT3: "\\box\printername"
TYPE "\\T095118.pdf" > LPT3:
NET USE LPT3: /DELETE

to print and it comes out with loads of gobbledgook.

How can you (in vb or vb.net) do this? i've done a bit of googling and there seems to be a lot of components out there that cost loads of money. are there any free/open source ones?

Any help or pointers ill be much appreciated.