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Did you know that any application that can print can create PDFs in Linux? OpenOffice.org has the function built-in, but this how-to will show you how to create PDFs of any document, using any application that has a print function.

1. First, you’ll need to install the CUPS PDF driver. CUPS is the Common Unix Printing System used by most distrobutions, including Ubuntu. In Ubuntu (or other debian-based distrobutions), this is as easy as the command:

2. Now you’ll have to setup the PDF driver as a printer. Using the printer configuration utility, which can be found under the System – Administration – Printing menu, click the “New Printer” icon. You’ll see this screen; Note that there is now an option for “Print into PDF file.” Select it and click “Forward.”

3. You will be asked to select a printer from the database. As shown below, select “Generic” and click “Forward.”

4. Select “PDF file generator” in the left-hand column, and “Generic PDF File Generator” in the right column. This is probably already highlighted for you.

5. Give your PDF generator a name, just as you would any other printer, and you’re finshed! Now, you will have a PDF File Generator as an option in every print dialog, for every application. All PDFs are saved to the folder “PDF” in your home directory, or ~/PDF Note: Selecting “Print to File” does NOT create a PDF, it creates a PostScript file.