Create PDFs by printing to file

In many authoring applications, you can use the Print command with the Adobe PDF printer to convert your file to PDF. Your source document is converted to PostScript and fed directly to Distiller for conversion to PDF, without manually starting Distiller. The current Distiller preference settings and Adobe PDF settings are used to convert the file. If you’re working with nonstandard page sizes, create a custom page size.

Note: The Adobe PDF printer creates untagged PDFs. A tagged structure is required for reflowing content to a handheld device and is preferable for producing reliable results with a screen reader.

Create a PDF using the Print command (Windows)

  1. Open the file that you want to convert to a PDF in its authoring application, and choose File > Print.
  2. Choose Adobe PDF from the printers menu.
  3. Click the Properties (or Preferences) button to customize the Adobe PDF printer setting. (In some applications, you may need to click Setup in the Print dialog box to access the list of printers, and then click Properties or Preferences.)
  4. In the Print dialog box, click OK.
    Note: By default, your PDF is saved in the folder specified in the printer port. The default location is My Documents. The filename and destination are controlled by the Prompt For Adobe PDF Filename setting in the Adobe PDF Printing Preferences dialog box.

Create a PDF using the Print command (Mac OS)

  1. Open the file that you want to convert to a PDF in its authoring application, and choose File > Print.
  2. Choose Adobe PDF 8.0 from the printers menu.
  3. Choose PDF Options from the pop-up menu that is beneath the Presets menu (it may show Copies & Pages by default).
  4. For Adobe PDF Settings, choose one of the default settings, or customize the settings using Distiller. Any custom settings that you have defined are listed.

    For most users, the default Adobe PDF conversion settings are adequate.

  5. For After PDF Creation, specify whether or not to open the PDF.
  6. Click Print.
  7. Select a name and location for your PDF, and click Save.
    Note: By default, your PDF is saved with the same filename and a .pdf extension.
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