How to install Print to PDF.

This utility enables printing from any application that is capable of print output without the need to install Adobe Acrobat.

Download PRINT2PDF.ZIP

The following procedure was used on Windows XP SP2.

Installing the software

1. Install GhostScript, for MS Windows the program is called gs800w32.exe. Use the browse option to install to the program files directory.
   
   
2. Install redmon setup.exe, the version should be redmon1.7.
   
   
3. Go to ‘start > settings > printers and faxes > add printer > next. Uncheck ‘automatically detect and install my plug and play printer’, click next.
   
   
4. Check the ‘create a new port:’ option.
   
   
5. From the ‘type of port’ drop down box select ‘redirected port’, click next.
   
   
6. An ‘add redirected port’ pop up box should say ‘RPT1:’, if so click ok.
   
   
7. An ‘install printer software’ pop up box will allow you to select a printer. The HP C Laserjet 4500-PS or HP C Laserjet 8550-PS are the best ones to choose, feel free to experiment with other printers. Click next.
   
   
8. In the name your printer pop up box, type in ‘PRINT2PDF’, other names can be used. Uncheck the use the printer as default option. Click next.
   
   
9. Do not share the printer > next > do not print a test page. Click finish.
   

Setting up

1. Go to ‘start>settings>printers and faxes. Right click on the ‘PRINT2PDF’ printer and select properties.
   
   
2. On the general tab go to printing preferences>advanced. Expand postscript options. Select ‘optimise for portability’. Click ok and then apply and then ok.
   
   
3. Now select the ports tabs. Make sure RPT1 is ticked and select configure port. The following assumes that PRINT2PDF is installed on the 'C:\' drive, Change the drive letter as appropriate.
   
   
4. In the ‘redirect this port to the program’ box, paste the following;
   
   C:\PROGRA~1\gs\gs8.00\bin\gswin32c.exe
   
   
5. In the ‘the arguments for this program are box, paste the following;
   
   @c:\PROGRA~1\gs\pdfwrite.rsp -sOutputFile="%1".pdf -c save pop -f -
   
   
6. For the output drop down box, select ‘prompt for filename’.
   
   
7. Click the log file button, check ‘use log file’ and then paste the following;
   
   C:\Program Files\gs\redirectedport.log
   
   
8. Click ok and ok again to return to the properties tabs.
   
   
9. Ensure that at the bottom of the ports tab that enable bidirectional support and enable printer pooling are both unchecked. Click close.
   
   
10. Open a text editor such as notepad and paste the following;
    
    -Ic:\PROGRAM~1\gs\gs8.00\lib;c:\PROGRAM~1\gs\fonts
    -sDEVICE=pdfwrite
    -r600
    -dNOPAUSE
    -dSAFER
    -sPAPERSIZE=A4
    
    
11. Save the file as pdfwrite.rsp to C:\Program Files\gs, this is the root of the GhostScript program, do not save it to the gs8.00 directory.
    

Useage

1. Create a directory and name it something like print2pdf. From any application choose file>print, and select the PRINT2PDF printer. A ‘save as’ tab will blink in the task bar, click on it and the save as box will appear.
   
   
2. Browse to the folder that has been created for saving pdfs. Type the name you want for the file. In future the save as box will default to the directory you choose to save the pdfs to.