How to Create a PDF
79PDF (Portable Document Format) files are ideal for presenting information in a standard layout. If you make a Word document available for your website visitors to download, they will not see it as you intended unless they have the same fonts installed as you used to create it. With PDF, this is not a problem, as fonts are built in to the document and it will look the same whatever system it's viewed on.
Video tutorial - how to create PDF file using PrimoPDF
Create your own PDF documents
The professionals use Adobe Acrobat PDF creation software (not a bad idea, since they did invent the format in 1993 - most of us use Adobe Acrobat Reader to read PDF documents).
But if you can't afford a professional package, there is plenty of free software available which will enable you to create your own PDF format documents.
I have tried two of these - Cute PDF Writer and PrimoPDF. The first application I tried, Cute PDF Writer, was easy to install and easy to use. Once installed, it appears as a printer option so that when you click File - Print in Word, for example, you can choose to "print" to CutePDF, and instead of actually printing the document, it is saved in a PDF format. It worked perfectly for me with mainly text documents. When I tried using it for a document which was very heavy on images, however, I found that it created quite large files, so I looked for an alternative. That's when I discovered PrimoPDF. Perhaps not quite as easy to use as CutePDF (it allows more customization), but easy enough, plus it produced quite compact files despite my heavy graphics.
Create a PDF document - step by step guide
- Download and install PrimoPDF for free.
- Create your document in MS Word, PowerPoint, Publisher or whatever.
- Click File - Print.
- Select PrimoPDF from the list of printers and click OK.
- Wait a few seconds....then choose the PDF settings you require (you can experiment and see which you prefer). Screen produces the smallest file at the lowest quality, Print will give you a larger file, but better quality. PrePress gives the best quality, but the largest file size.
- Choose where you want to save the file and click OK.
- That's it. Your PDF file will be created and saved. It will also open up in Adobe reader so that you can check it looks OK.
PrimoPDF Screenshot
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
I struggled as well when I first tried to create a PDF file. I thought I would have to save, not print. But it's actually really easy! (Like anything, when you know how.)
For me I think the best and easiest way to create a pdf file is by using OpenOffice.Org
This is a free download and open source software that has all of the bells and whistles of MS Office. I am in the habit of searching for open source software before purchasing anything. Not so much to save money but the fact I just love the people who devote their time to developing software for free.
With OpenOffice to convert is simply easy as pie. After completing your document you will see a convert to pdf button on the toolbar and just hit the button and it is done. No printing to file or any of that.
You can also set security levels so your end user must have a password to open the document if you wish.
I have been using this for over 3 years now and have tried several others including paid but for me this works best. I think you should at least check it out for yourselfr
Sounds great - I haven't tried OpenOffice yet, but I'll have to give it a go. Thanks for your comments.
heavyd49770 - thanks for the tip on Open Office. I have used Open Office for two or three years and like it a lot but never noticed the "convert to PDF button". I will have to try it. I do use the PDF feature on Google docs and spreadsheets - when you click on export PDF is one of the options the system offers you for exporting from online to your PC.
For those of you on a Mac, the print dialog offers the option to print to a PDF file, so it's built into the operating system.
Most helpful and useful info! thanks!
Thumbs up. I forwarded this hub onto a few pdf phobics. :)
Thanks for all your comments.
Chuck and Heavyd - yesterday I got my new Eee PC 900 with Linux. It has Open Office, so I'll definitely try out the PDF convert option.
John - thanks for your tip - Mac users obviously have it easy!
MegBot - I too used to be a pdf phobic, so I know where they're coming from!
Help, darlin! I decided to teach myself how to create a PDF using whatever is free. So far, it isn't working as your article said it should. Please advise me. Here is what I did.
I have a PC with Windows Vista, Microsoft Word 2007, Windows Paint. I used cutting and pasting of many .jpeg photos to create a poster in Paint., and allegedly have Primo PDF. (Paint is the free Paint that comes with Windows - it is pretty simple.) I also did "coloring."
So, when I was all finished I clicked "Print." Then "choose printer." PrimoPdf was NOT listed as a printer. I tried "Add Printer," but that got me nowhere. Among all the printer lists, Primo never came up. I double checked that Primo is in my list of installed software and it is.
So I thought perhaps the Paint software won't work. Therefore, I created a Word document and inserted the Paint .jpeg poster in it. Then tried the sequence you describe with Print command. Still not getting me Pdf as an option. M'aidez!
:%
Sorry you're having trouble, Maren. PrimoPDF should work with Paint. I can only suggest that you uninstall your current PrimoPDF then go to www.primopdf.com and download the latest version and try reinstalling it. Hope that works for you.
Thanks for this Hub! I want to distribute my own downloadable PDFs and have been wondering where to start.
Primo PDF is a great little program that is all most people need when it comes to creating a PDF document. Leave Acrobat for the major corporations and save yourself some money with Primo PDF.
Bonnie Ramsey says:
2 years ago
Casper,
This is excellent instructions! I actually have CutePDF already and the print tab was what threw me for a loop. I got frustrated because I kept thinking I only had the "print" option and I didn't want to print it, I wanted to save it! LOL. This explains a lot! I am also going to print this out and try the PrimoPDF as well. Thanks so much for the awsome hub!
Bonnie