Creating PDF Using Print-to-PDF in Windows

On Windows operating system, there is a preferable way to create PDF output file using its built-in 'Print-to-PDF' printer. This method creates the desired PDF output in an expected and consistent way without additional installation.

Microsoft Print-to-PDF Printer for Creating PDF

This guide has been tested on:

  1. 64-bit amd64 CPU, Windows 10 Operating System.

Why Use Print-to-PDF Printer

The first reason for using Print-to-PDF printer is that you do no need to search and install additional software, plugins, add-ons, and etc just to create PDF. Microsoft understands the importance of PDF files so they did the heavy lifting just to facilitate you a seamless way to create PDF files. The lesser software you install, the safer you are from potentially installing a malware by accident.

The second reason for using Print-to-PDF printer is the consistency of the generated output. Since this is a printer, you know and can verify the output using the print preview. In business, consistency is highly valued.

Create PDF using Print-to-PDF Printer

Now that we know the existence of “Print-to-PDF” printer, it’s time to learn how to use it. This section guides you step-by-step on how to use the Print-to-PDF printer to create your PDF output file.

Proceed to Print Your File

The obvious step is to print your file. To do so:

  1. Proceed to open “File” menu in your editing software.
  2. Then, select Print action to prepare for printing.
  3. As the printing options windows appeared, you can select the current printer" to change a printer.
  4. When options are shown, select Microsoft Print to PDF printer.
  5. Once done, you can press Print button to print the output into PDF format.
Trigger Print Wizard in order to Print the output into PDF

Selection PDF Saving Destination

The printer will take some times to generate the PDF output. Once done, it will prompt you for selecting a destination to save into PDF file.

When prompted:

  1. Proceed to select the directory that you want to save.
  2. Then name your PDF file.
  3. Once done, proceed to press “Save” to save the PDF file.
Save Printed Output into PDF File

Check Your PDF

Now that the PDF is available for consumption, you should proceed to view and check it before deployment. Sometimes, the print format can be different and the desired output might be distorted due to that.

Should the PDF output is undesirable, simply head back to your editing file and update the changes. Once done, you can generate the PDF file again using the “Print to PDF” printer again and again until you get your desired output.

Check the Quality of the Printed PDF Output File

Epilogue

That’s all for “Creating PDF Using Print-to-PDF in Windows”.