3 Replies Latest reply: Aug 17, 2009 6:48 AM by Bill@VT RSS

    How to create a second Adobe PDF Printer with seperate settings?

    Mike.Edel Community Member

      Hi all,

       

      I know that it's possible to create more or less unlimited copies of normal printers on Windows (XP SP2) that each have their own settings. Very helpful for standardized jobs that require special setups.

       

      We want to use the same technique for PDF creation. Now I'm wondering how to create a second Adobe PDF Printer?

      I can try to create a new printer on the printer port "My Documents\*.pdf" that's used by the existing printer but I'm asked which driver to use. Unfortunately there is no Adobe entry in that list and I can't find it manually, either.

       

      We are still on Acrobat 8 (Professional)

       

      Any hints?

       

      Many thanks

       

      Mike

        • 1. Re: How to create a second Adobe PDF Printer with seperate settings?
          Bill@VT CommunityMVP

          The simplest way is to add a generic print driver. Then enter the properties, change the name and set up the port and driver within the printer. Then edit the remaining properties. You may have to exit after selecting some properties and then open back up for those properties to have taken affect. Be aware that if you are looking for using the printer with PDF Maker you have to change the name to Adobe PDF, and you can only have one of those. For use as a printer then the alternate name will work fine.

           

          It has been a while since I did this type of addition, but it worked fine when I did it.

          • 2. Re: How to create a second Adobe PDF Printer with seperate settings?
            Mike.Edel Community Member

            Hi Bill,

             

            that did the trick - pretty complicated though. But I managed to find all the little differences between the driver I selected (Apple Laserwriter) and the PDF driver I switched to. Too bad it's not listed by default.

            Now I will have to do that for all colleagues that want a second PDF printer for special purposes

            I could probably try to pry the details from the registry and put them into an installer but I'm not sure it's worth it.

             

            Many thanks,

             

            Mike

            • 3. Re: How to create a second Adobe PDF Printer with seperate settings?
              Bill@VT CommunityMVP

              I don't think it is listed because it is an oddball thing to do for most folks. I had done it to get various desired properties without having to set them up each time. Most folks probably have no idea what you are trying to do and would likely tell you it can't be done. I did it about 8 years ago with AA5. Glad it worked. Bill