HOW TO: Set up pdf printer for Ubuntu/Linux

NOTE: This how-to is for Breezy users. For Dapper Drake users, please refer to this thread: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=188860

1. Install cups-pdf package

Code:

sudo apt-get install cups-pdf

2. Open Terminal
sudo gedit /etc/cups/cupsd.conf
Search for line RunAsUser Yes
Change it in RunAsUser No

3. Now restart your computer or do a virtual reset of cups driver by

Code:

sudo /etc/init.d/cups restart

4. Then go to System–> Administration–> Printing
Add printer
Select "Local Printer" and use a "detected printer–> PDF printer".
Manufacturer–> Generic,
Model–>PostScript Color Printer,
Driver–>Should come preselected with a green dot (rev3a)
Apply

Your pdf printer should be up and running by now… test it by printing a page from firefox or openoffice. Here is a sample: printsample.pdf.tar.gz

Tip: To further enhance the printing experience, you can follow the following steps:
1. In firefox, click File menu–> Page setup.
2. Select "Print Background (colors and images), then close it.
3. Open your printers setup by System–> Administration–> Printing
4. Right click the pdf printer and select properties (this may take some time to show up)
5. Set resolution to 1200 dpi if you want good quality (=bigger filesize) pdfs
6. In the paper tab, set paper size to A4
7. In the advanced tab, set PageRegion to A4 as well.

NOTE1: The printed files go to your home/PDF/ folder.
NOTE2: You can configure the printing options by System–> Administration–> Printing –> Right click on your printer, and select "properties"