I receive lots of documents that I’d like to convert to PDF, but opening and resaving them all is a pain. Is there a way to print directly to PDF without opening a file?
Unfortunately, OS X doesn’t have a native way to convert files to PDF in the Finder without going through the Print dialog in each application. Luckily, the CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) PDF plug-in, written by Adam Knight and available online for free, can help you add that functionality if you’re willing to do a little bit of prep work.
Install the plug-in, head to System Preferences > Print & Fax, and click the “+” button to add a new printer. Select CUPS-PDF as the printer. Ensure that Generic PostScript Printer is selected from the drop-down menu. Next, open Automator and select Application from the template chooser. Drag the following actions from the left-hand side of the Automator window to the workflow area:
1. Get Specified Finder Items
2. Print Finder Items
Create a new "printer" using CUPS-PDF.
In the Print Finder Items action, select CUPS-PDF from the “Print to” drop-down menu. Save your new application somewhere handy like the Desktop, and drag files onto it whenever you want to quickly save them as PDFs. CUPS-PDF will save them in /Users/Shared/CUPS-PDF/username, but you can move the files wherever you want. Extra points for configuring a Folder Action to automatically move them to your Documents folder…but that’s another Ask question altogether.
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nooska
August 16, 2012 at 7:56pm
Thanks for posting this. After searching for hours on how to print more directly to a pdf, I was happy to come across these instructions!
I'm hoping there's an update to the challenge "Extra points for configuring a Folder Action to automatically move them to your Documents folder"?
Are there any downsides to following Munas directions on the "sudo" command? And is there a way to see or undo this command once invoked?
thanks again to you and Mr. Knight!
gmac97212
August 09, 2011 at 3:43pm
You mention in your article that CUPS-PDF will save them in /Users/Shared/CUPS-PDF/username, but you can move the files wherever you want. I'm sure that this is a "rookie" question, but can you please tell me how to configure CUPS-PDF to save the files somewhere else?
Many thanks!
vertigow
August 04, 2011 at 9:00am
Is this Automator Application different in OS x Lion. I am trying to complete following the instructions provided but the Print Finder Items does not have a Print To option available and dragging the CUPS-PDF printer from the System Preferences --> Printer and Faxes created a new Get Specified Finder Items action in the Automation path.
Thanks.
right_writes
August 03, 2011 at 10:57pm
Yeah, this is a great little program, I have been using it for quite a while now, I upload the printed PDF's to my "iDevices", and then I can refer to them whenever and wherever I am... So, plenty of reading material, recipe's for ingredients in the market (iPhone) or actually making a recipe (slab...iPad2) in the kitchen etc.
Indeed, it almost negates the need for all of those "apps", all we need is RSS, PDF and Mr. Knight's "cups-pdf" tool.... oh and perhaps a word processor like Pages or Byword etc.
There... saved you all a packet!
BTW: Mr. Knight, if you read this... Thanks very much, this is genuinely good work!
munas
August 03, 2011 at 3:33pm
Alternatively, to keep desktop clean (I prefer desktop to be clean, contrary to my desk) :) and to have a possibility to print from right-mouse click menu services part, one may do all you described just in automator to choose Service.
To make printed files accessible more easy, a command in Terminal would do a trick (with customization according needs) i.e. redirecting it to user’s home Documents/PrintedCUPS-PDFs folder
sudo ln -s ~/Documents/PrintedCUPS-PDFs /private/var/spool/cups-pdf/usernamewhere username is a user name of a mac user
P.S. this command will require to enter an administrative password
P.P.S. having this command among services will allow to create a keyboard shortcut to make the print to pdf even easier and quicker.
