Printing to PDF HOWTO

From openSUSE

Warning !  

Security warning!

Do this only if you know what you're doing!

Be warned, especially when running a multi-user system. This can cause a Denial of Service (spool directory can run full), no privacy of data (anyone can read the printouts), or specially crafted printjobs might be able to create security holes.

Contents

Download the cups-pdf Package

Go to the software search page, and search for the cups-pdf package for your version of openSUSE.

Next to the first result, click "1-Click Install" and follow the steps to install the cups-pdf package.

Install the Printer

  1. Open the CUPS Administration page using a web browser like Firefox (visit http://localhost:631/admin, note: the CUPS service must be running, see System Services (runlevel).)
  2. Select the Administration tab and click Find New Printers
  3. You should see Virtual PDF Printer (CUPS-PDF), click Add This Printer
  4. Click Continue
  5. In the next screen MAKE/MANUFACTURER FOR CUPS-PDF, don't select a printer but in the OR Provide a PPD File section, provide the name of the driver by browsing to /usr/share/cups/model/CUPS-PDF.ppd then click Add Printer.
  6. Use the "root" username and password (or any username with CUPS admin rights) when prompted finish adding the new printer.
  7. (Optional) Change the default page size to match the locality (i.e. US Letter or A3) under the PDF:General, Page Size setting.

Configuration Options

PDF Output Location

The default location for the PDF files is

/var/spool/cups-pdf/yourusername/

To change this, edit the /etc/cups/cups-pdf.conf file. In this case, to the Desktop of the user.

Out /home/${USER}/Desktop

Printing to PDF under KDE

Using any KDE application (Konqueror, Kword, Kwrite etc.), the print dialog will offer the option to print to PDF. Hit Ctrl+P and in the printer combo box select Print to PDF

After you've printed, you'll find your PDF file located in /var/spool/cups-pdf/yourusername/filename.pdf