PDFCreator

Name: PDFCreator
Availability: InStock
Author: pdfforge GmbH

PDFCreator is a virtual PDF printer from pdfforge GmbH (Germany). It installs as a printer in Windows, so any program that can print can create a PDF. Go to File > Print, select PDFCreator as the printer, and get a PDF file. It also supports PDF/A for archival, and can output PNG, JPEG, and TIFF. The free version covers basic needs; Professional and Server editions add features like auto-save profiles and digital signatures.

What it does

The core function is printing to PDF from any application - Word, Excel, a web browser, anything with a print dialog. After printing, PDFCreator shows a window where you set the filename, add metadata, and save. The merge function combines multiple print jobs into a single PDF: print the first document, click Merge in PDFCreator, then print additional documents before saving them all as one file.

PDF/A output creates files that meet long-term archival standards, useful for legal or government documents. Password protection lets you set a password for opening or editing the PDF. Auto-save mode saves PDFs to a predefined folder without any dialog, which speeds up batch workflows.

Advantages

Creates PDF from any program that can print
Merges multiple documents into one PDF
PDF/A archival format support
Free for personal use

Drawbacks

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Print to PDF option
Free version shows occasional upgrade prompts
Digital signatures require the paid Professional edition
Cannot edit existing PDFs, only create new ones

Who it is for

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Print to PDF function, which handles the basic case. PDFCreator adds value if you need PDF/A archival format, password protection, document merging, or auto-save workflows. For simple PDF creation, the built-in Windows option is usually enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PDFCreator free?

The basic version is free and handles PDF creation, merging, and password protection. Professional and Server editions are paid.

Do I need PDFCreator if I have Windows 10 or 11?

Windows has a built-in Print to PDF option. PDFCreator adds PDF/A archival, merging multiple documents, password protection, and auto-save.

Can PDFCreator merge multiple documents into one PDF?

Yes. Print the first document to PDFCreator, click Merge, then print additional documents. Save them all as one combined PDF.

Features & How-To Guide

#	Feature	How to use
1	PDF creation from any program	In any program › File › Print › Choose PDFCreator printer › Print › Type file name › Save.
2	Joining multiple documents into one PDF	Print first document to PDFCreator › In PDFCreator window click Merge › Print next ones › Save as combined PDF.
3	Document conversion to PDF/A for archiving	PDFCreator › Profile › Choose PDF/A profile › Print document › File compliant with long-term archival standard.
4	Automatic processing with Auto-Save	PDFCreator › Profile › Auto-Save › Enable › Set save path and name › Documents save automatically without prompt.
5	Export to PNG JPEG TIFF graphics formats	PDFCreator › Profile › Change output format to PNG/JPEG/TIFF › Print › Saves as image instead of PDF.
6	Email PDF after creation	PDFCreator › After creating PDF › Click Send by Email › Opens email client with file as attachment.
7	PDF password protection 2	PDFCreator › Profile › Security › Set password for opening and/or editing › Print › PDF requires password.
8	PDF document digital signature	PDFCreator › Profile › Signature › Choose certificate › Print › PDF with digital signature.