Print to PDF means using a print command to save a page or document as a PDF file instead of producing paper. You choose a PDF destination in the print workflow, review the available settings, and save the resulting file.
What “print to PDF” does
A print-to-PDF command turns a page or document into a Portable Document Format (PDF) file. It uses the familiar print workflow, but the output is a digital file rather than a physical printout. A browser can use this method to save a web page for viewing or sharing, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains. Software can also generate a PDF file or stream directly; Microsoft documents those options for WebView2 applications.
How to save a page as a PDF
The exact label depends on your operating system, browser, and available print destinations. You do not need paper or ink to save a PDF.
On Windows
- Open the page or document you want to save, then open its Print command.
- In the printer or destination menu, select Microsoft Print to PDF or Save as PDF, if available.
- Select Print, choose where to save the file, and confirm the save.
The CFPB notes that wording varies by browser. On older Windows versions without the Microsoft Print to PDF printer, Chrome may offer its own Save as PDF option in the print dialog. See the CFPB’s Windows and Mac instructions.
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On macOS
- Open the page or document and press Command+P.
- Open the PDF menu in the print dialog and choose Save as PDF.
- Choose a location and save the file.
In Firefox
- Open the print preview and find the Destination dropdown.
- Select Save to PDF.
- Review the preview and settings, then save the file.
Firefox’s print settings include options such as orientation, selected pages, color, paper size, scale, margins, and headers and footers. Mozilla notes that web pages may be designed to look different in print from how they appear on screen. Check the preview and adjust settings if the PDF does not match what you need. See Mozilla’s Firefox print guide.
Print to PDF versus printing on paper
Both actions start from a print workflow, but their destinations differ:
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| Choice | Result |
|---|---|
| Physical printer | A printed page on paper |
| PDF destination | A digital PDF file saved to a location you choose |
For most people, the practical choice is whichever PDF destination is available in the current print dialog. A browser’s Save to PDF option and an operating system’s PDF printer serve the same basic purpose, though the labels and layout controls can differ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Print to PDF in software development
Applications can create PDFs without asking a user to open a print dialog. Microsoft’s WebView2 documentation describes four approaches: ShowPrintUI to display a browser or system dialog; Print to send a document to a printer with settings; PrintToPdf to create a PDF file; and PrintToPdfStream to produce a stream. Microsoft says PrintToPdf silently prints the current top-level WebView2 document to a PDF file. The documentation is dated February 17, 2023; developers should confirm availability for their specific WebView2 runtime and platform. Details are in Microsoft’s WebView2 printing documentation.
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For automated Chrome jobs, Chrome Headless supports the --print-to-pdf command-line flag. Chrome documents --no-pdf-header-footer to omit print headers and footers; an older Chrome version may instead require --print-to-pdf-no-header. Check the Chrome Headless command-line reference for the relevant version and options.
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