Ever wanted to print a document of just about any sort to a virtual printer that would then turn it into a PDF? It’s pretty easy to do in Ubuntu. In fact you’ll need just 5 steps and about as many minutes of your time to set this up.
Step 1. Get cups-pdf installed. Open up a terminal session (or use Synaptic) and type the following:
sudo apt-get install cups-pdf
Step 2. Go to System -> Administration -> Printing and then Printer ->Add Printer.
Step 3. Take a good look at this screen. You won’t have to change anything, but it sure is nice to see. Click the Forward button.
Step 4. Set the Manufacturer to Generic and the Model to PostScript. Click the Forward button.
Step 5. Set the name to something simple and easy to remember, like “LeChicArsGeekPDFPrinterMakerThingy”. Click the Apply button and you are done.
Now you can happily churn out PDFs to share with your friends, family and co-workers.
Technorati Tags: ubuntu, pdf, virtual printer, print to pdf, le chic
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May 17th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Well, I actually found out that pdf printers are not really necessary under linux, you just check the box “print as a file” (not sure about the translation) and it will be saved as a .ps file. Next, you use ps2pdf on it.
Anyway, great tip!
May 17th, 2007 at 10:05 am
That’s one way to do it. It all depends on where you want to take the steps.
May 17th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Thanks for the information. I love PrimoPDF for our Windows machines, this will give us the same functionality on our Linux boxes.
May 17th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hey Jason, thanks for the comment. It’s nice to have something work in a similar way across platforms, isn’t it? Makes it so much easier on users who are used to a particular way of doing things.
AG
May 17th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I pick up ArsGeek using Bloglines as a feed reader – and this post shows up with all the images of things like “Help I’m stolen” and three deer rutting (yes, there are evidentially gay deer in the wild).
I can see the value of image protection so other sites don’t just point right to your image content online, but how about letting feed readers like google and bloglines off the hook?
May 17th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Hey Jon,
It appears that it only transmitted my slightly changed images for a short while – while the post was in transition. Any blog reader that picked up the post in the first hour or two of it’s life may have the new images in place of the old.
Other than that, bloglines, google, yahoo and MSN all show the proper images. At least, for me, with new subscriptions.
AG
May 17th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
it’s working great for me again as well – thanks!
And I must say, the Jon Lovitz looking guy picking his nose picture was pretty hilarious.
May 17th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
While that pic is in my top 4, I almost fell off of my seat when I saw the storm trooper on his throne.
Glad to see that various rss readers have caught up.
For those wondering what we’re talking about, see this link
May 30th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Thanks. In my Windows days I had Adobe Acrobat installed and used the ‘print to PDF’ option a lot. It’s been one of the options I’ve missed since switching to Ubuntu/Kubuntu, though not enough to motivate me to actively search for a solution. However all good things come to he who waits, and this hint falls into that category.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
If your like me and wondering where the file went, look under: Places Home Folder PDF
June 15th, 2007 at 3:35 am
Files created by pdf printer does not open in Acrobat Reader on Windows. Has someone experienced the same problem? To me it looks the file created is a PS file which I can easily create with the installed (defualt) Postscript printer.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Hi,
Is there a way to do this in pclinuxos. I tried finding cups-pdf in Synaptic and it wasn’t found and I can’t do apt-get in pclos.
This worked really well when I was running Ubuntu and I woulds like to use it with the latest build of pclos.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Thanks for the great tip! And for the comment regarding its location. Opening fine for me in Acrobat Reader (at least the one for Linux) and xpdf.
one more step closer to Mac OS X …
August 6th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Thanks for the tip. Works great and now I can print to PDF in Linux, woohoo!
August 15th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hi AG,
Thanks for this great post, but seems like this is not working in my feisty. actually, i cant find the pdf-ed files. any tip?
ok, i just found it, there’s a PDF folder in my home directory and contains the converted files. any idea to change the default location?
August 15th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
ok, i just found it, there’s a PDF folder in my home directory and contains the converted files. any idea to change the default location?
August 19th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Thank you, just what I needed.
September 16th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PDFPrinting
If you are using Ubuntu 6.06 (due to bug 42147) it is necessary to manually change one file in order to add the PDF printer:
$ sudo chmod +s /usr/lib/cups/backend/cups-pdf
September 29th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Hi there,
Very helpful stuff. I always wondered how pdf printing could be done. And now I know.
October 7th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hey,
thanks for the easy 5 Step How To. It worked for me on the first try. Now i can print PDF with one click
Thanks
October 8th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I thought that 5 steps to create a PDF printer (print to PDF) in Ubuntu was very interesting. I found you searching on Apply Online Credit Card Instant Monday Thanks for the nice post!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:28 am
Great how to – (must be the shortest how to I have ever followed) works perfectly, thanks.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
November 26th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Great howto. Is there a way to get it to ask for a filename before it prints? Thanks
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:31 am
I concur! Great how-to – simple and effective. Thanks again. To Rudy: If you check the box marked print to file, you can give it a name.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
great tips.am definitely going to bookmark this page on my browser.thanks
September 27th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hello,
I am using Ubuntu 9.04 The Jaunty Jackaloupe. I believe your instructions do not work so well with this newer version. I do like that your instructions, they are the easiest to understand that I as a newbie have seen. But, your screen shots and steps do not seem to correspond with the newer version. I hope to see an ubdate on here in the future.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Hello
I am new to Linux. I cannot figure out how to open the terminal session or find the program Synaptic.
I tried to use the terminal server client and added the “sudo apt-get install cups-pdf” to every field I can think of but it will not connect.
I tried connect to server and it will not do it either. Can anyone post instructions on how to accomplish the first step.
Thanks,
Pierre
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 am
It’s very nice for you, i like work easy, thank you very much!, in karmic koala the print is create automatically
January 8th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Excellent info. Using a Windows application in Crossover I could not print a pdf file. The sudo command installing the cup-pdf was all that was required. The pdf printer was then available in the Windows application (Quickbooks) as a choice.
January 18th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
In Ubuntu 9.10, it is a one-step process, the first step mentioned:
apt-get install cups-pdf
does it all. I’d far prefer it I could get it to ask me where to save and what to name the pdf. It only goes to the $HOME/pdf folder, which is NEVER where I would like it to go and so after creating each pdf, I need to move it and rename it. To the poster who mentioned the print to file option – this is NOT the same. .ps is not as universal a file format and having to convert it manually after each printing is an equally onerous task if one is doing this constantly. I typically make 10 or more pdfs each day, sometimes more. I want an automated single step process, not one with multiple steps. I wish that Adobe made a full Acrobat Distiller Pro for Linux, but it’s expensive…
April 19th, 2010 at 1:54 am
That was helpful
Now I can print to pdf in ubuntu 9.10
Thanks
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
I never comment on anything, but your post made me, this is a great post! Thanks I bookmarked your post
-Shelby Wieger
June 18th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Thank’s for Ubuntu tips, use this operation system and like it more than Windows. Really like the speed of searching drivers!
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:47 am
This is cool to get the ability to a superquality piece of information with useful info on topics that many are interested on. Just do what you do cause everybody love reading your writtings.
August 22nd, 2010 at 3:25 am
Thanks 4 share
August 31st, 2010 at 1:55 am
Set your own life time more simple take the personal loans and everything you want.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:15 am
After installing cups as described here, the print to file seems to have a pdf option, see
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=3093200
this works fine as far as i can tell (in any case on my ubuntu netbook remix 10.04)
October 21st, 2010 at 12:34 am
Thanx i got it & problem solved
October 21st, 2010 at 5:25 pm
hi guys nice tut great printer work locally
but i connect to the printer on a network
i print and it says job complete where does it save the pdf file
any ideas please
i dit a updatedb and localte *pdf coun’t fine it
please any help thanks
December 8th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Bullzip PDF printer is the best one for windows…for you windows users. its very powerful. watermarking etc…
December 8th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Thank you for sharing these info with us!
I’ve tried PrimoPDF after your advice and it worse!
Thanks for the information. I love PrimoPDF for our Windows machines, this will give us the same functionality on our Linux boxes.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:53 am
This PDF printer works. Now I am not going to regret, that I switched from Windows to Ubuntu.
December 21st, 2010 at 7:25 pm
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January 7th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
ok, i just found it, there’s a PDF folder in my home directory and contains the converted files. any idea to change the default location?
January 7th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Thanks. In my Windows days I had Adobe Acrobat installed and used the ‘print to PDF’ option a lot. It’s been one of the options I’ve missed since switching to Ubuntu/Kubuntu, though not enough to motivate me to actively search for a solution. However all good things come to he who waits, and this hint falls into that category.
January 7th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I am using Ubuntu 9.04 The Jaunty Jackaloupe. I believe your instructions do not work so well with this newer version. I do like that your instructions, they are the easiest to understand that I as a newbie have seen. But, your screen shots and steps do not seem to correspond with the newer version. I hope to see an ubdate on here in the future.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Thanks for taking the time to share this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely useful for me.
January 27th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
With the newest version of firefox and ubuntu all you need to do is select print to file and there is a checkbox for pdf.
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March 14th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Wow, good looking article you have there! I’m glad I found this. It was really useful! I’d love to see more people read your blog!
April 8th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Thank you for this guide. I have just installed my PDF printer on Ubuntu 10.10 and it works!
Regards
April 13th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
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April 29th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
I dont really kow what to say anymore.
May 4th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
thnk you for shairng
May 10th, 2011 at 12:18 am
Thank you for this useful information. Now I can easily print my PDF file from Linux. The way you giving the explanation are also very simple. I would definitely visit your site more often…
May 24th, 2011 at 5:23 am
Your tutorial here looks rather simple to try. I have a computer in the house which works on Linux, but I don’t use it that often. I think that I can make use of your printer installation tutorial here. Thanks.
May 27th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
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May 28th, 2011 at 9:09 am
I’ve always had trouble with printing PDF files. This surely enlightened me on how it should be done. Thanks for all the info.
May 28th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
June 8th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
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June 25th, 2011 at 1:19 am
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July 26th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
thanks for those tips, I found it really useful
July 27th, 2011 at 9:37 am
thanks for those print screens looks like you took some time to share its…
July 28th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Now it seems easier with your instructions..
July 30th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
with those prt sc will be easier to create a pdf print to pdf
July 31st, 2011 at 6:37 am
very nice of you to give us these tips
August 1st, 2011 at 1:38 pm
this five steps you have reminded here are easy and the result is guaranteed.
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:46 pm
mine is ready! thx
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:22 pm
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August 5th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
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August 9th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
nice info about ubuntu
August 9th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I like your explanation because you use terms, or synonyms, understandable.
August 9th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
awesome 5 steps – the easiest way to get there!
August 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I finally managed to cross over step 3
August 12th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Now I know that I need to install cups-pdf this software is designed to produce PDF files in a heterogeneous network by providing a PDF printer on the central fileserver and that this it’s available under the GPL and is packaged for many different distributions or can be built directly out of the source files.
August 12th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
I Installed perfectly, but I have a problem in printing something from Mozilla Firefox. It prints pages frame by frame not exactly how it’s layout. Before Installing the printer… How can I avoid this?
August 13th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for the tutorial man. Perhaps a tutorial for fedora?
August 15th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
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August 18th, 2011 at 5:44 am
This post wery gooding.
Thanks for the information. I love PrimoPDF for our Windows machines, this will give us the same functionality on our Linux boxes.
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August 24th, 2011 at 7:00 am
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August 25th, 2011 at 1:48 am
the options I’ve missed since switching to Ubuntu/Kubuntu, though not enough to motivate me to actively search for a solution. However all good things come to he who waits, and this hint falls into that category.
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August 27th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
The process seems easy to me.I hope the tutorial will help me to do this easily in Ubuntu.Thats a great share.
September 4th, 2011 at 11:35 am
This post details how to set up a PDF printer in Ubuntu…!!
September 7th, 2011 at 3:59 am
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September 8th, 2011 at 7:16 am
You don’t have to do all these steps. Just install cups-pdf via Synaptic Package Manager and thats it.
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September 10th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Never thought I would agree with this opinion, but I’m starting to view things from a different view. I have to research more on this as it seems very interesting. One thing I don’t understand though is how everything is related together.
September 14th, 2011 at 3:36 am
It’s pretty easy to do in Ubuntu and print quickly well done.
September 30th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Very nice sahre thanx you . have a good time
October 11th, 2011 at 5:48 am
It seems the common printers are added in the similar way.
November 10th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
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December 12th, 2011 at 1:54 am
Thank you! this was helpful in Ubuntu Lynx 10.04 to have photos from picasa printed to pdf.
But pdf created are very large
December 12th, 2011 at 4:44 am
Thanks 4 sharing…Works with ubuntu 11.10 as well.Thanks
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January 9th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Thanks for the tutorial man. Perhaps a tutorial for fedora?
January 9th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
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January 16th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for sharing. Works with ubuntu too.
January 18th, 2012 at 2:50 am
You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really one thing which I think I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I am taking a look ahead for your next publish, I will try to get the hold of it!
January 29th, 2012 at 1:23 am
#%$#$A#A%#$%
Why can’t ANYTHING be simple or even halfway simple in Linux?????????
I cannot find any of the menu items you mention. I see no way to add a printer. I have been able to install cups-pdf, but after it does its big “saving page” deal guess what it comes up with— NOTHING. A blank page!
I know that some people relish in the challenge of wrestling with an OS, but all I want to do is get a few simple things to work so that I can take care of things I need to do! I cannot spend hours wandering about sites for every frigging thing that needs to happen with this OS.
I appreciate the whole effort to get away from Microsoft, I am happy someone is trying. But this operating system is borderline usable half the time and I just cannot continue to lose gobs of time just trying to figure out how to do the simplest things.
Look, thanks ahead of time for not taking my head off for venting. But I am running Mint Linux, and I am stumped. I need to be able to save a couple webshots as pdfs, manipulate them and send them back. It just shouldn’t be this big a deal! ANY suggestions?
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