How to create PDF from HTML?

Create .pdf file (bus. card) from .jpg & IE font

• Hi, I am assembling some copy for an advert, to be placed in my local paper, which is to take the form of an image and text, enclosed within a rectangular area measuring 5cm in height by 6.6 cm in width. It is to consist of an 11.9 Kilobyte .jpg image, measuring 243 pixels in width, and 184 pixels in height, to the left hand side, and text to the right: ____________________________________ | | | |""""""""| ACME STUFF COMPANY | | | | | | | | * Things done | | | | * Other stuff too | | | | | | | | * Call now 123456 | | """""""""" | """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I'm planning on creating the layout using HTML <table>s, with <font> tags to control the text and an <ul> to create the bullets. I don't need any help with this so far; I can coax Internet Explorer into displaying just what I want on my desktop machine. What I do need help with, is getting it into the format requested by the paper. Their specification is as follows: ".pdf or .eps file on 1.44 Megabyte floppy disk; all fonts must be embedded." I used to know how to create a .pdf file using freely downloadable software by using a series of steps along the following lines: 1. Install a postscript printer driver (actual printer not required). 2. Use postscript printer driver to print the HTML document to a (.ps ??) file. 3. Download Ghostview? or was it Ghostscript? Postview? 4. Use the software from step 3 to create a .pdf file from the (.ps ??) file. I'd set out searching for the method myself, but I'm dog-tired after a late night up on the 'net, & the deadline for the copy looms.. If someone can help me out on this & provide a step-by-step, I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks.

• Answer:

  Hi there gan. I think I have your solution - a little tricky to find, but it works perfectly. Hopefully, this walkthrough will make things clear. ---- 1) You're absolutely right about the printer. I'd recommend installing the Apple LaserWriter v23, an excellent postscript driver supplied with Windows XP. To do this, click Start -> Settings -> Printers and Faxes. Then click "Add Printer". You shold see the Printer Wizard. Click "Next". Make sure that "Automatically detect printers" is not checked, and that "Local Printer" is selected. Click Next. Select "FILE:" from the drop down list. Click Next. Now locate the Apple LaserWriter v23, and install it. Note that this is a black and white printer. If you're placing a colour advert, then pick the Apple Color LaserWriter 12/600 instead. ---- 2) Now download the latest GhostScript tools from the links below. The first file is approximately 6 mb, and the second is approximately 1.3 mb, so if you're on a dial-up internet connection, this might be an excellent time to break for a snack. ---- 3) Install the big file first, and the smaller one second. If these installers aren't crystal clear to you, please request clarification and I'll help you out further here. ---- 4) You're nearly there! Click Start -> Programs -> GhostGum -> GSView 4.3. Open your file using the File -> Open menu. ---- 5) Now select Convert from the File menu. Make sure that the selected Device is "pdfwrite", and the resolution is satisfactory to you (I'd recommend the highest setting, 600). ----- 6) Now click the Properties button, and scroll down to "EmbedAllFonts". Select "true" in the right hand pane. Click OK. Select "OK" from the Convert dialogue again, choose an output filename, and your PDF will be created. --------- And that should be it! It's actually a fairly simple procedure, but as you found out, it can be difficult to locate the exact details. Hopefully, this has you all set, and you can submit your ad to the paper now. If you want a simpler method, and don't mind paying for it, then you could have a look at DocuCom's PDF Printer Driver. I've installed the trial version myself, and it seems fairly good - except that it leaves a rather large watermark on the page, until you purchase the full version. To find out more: http://www.zeon.com.tw/zeoncom/pdfdrive/pdfdriver.htm I hope this answers your question. If anything is unclear, or needs further explanation, then please don't hesitate to use the "Request Clarification" feature before rating this answer. Thanks, and good luck! --seizer-ga Search strategy: print to PDF print to PDF Windows PDF printer driver PDF conversion utilities PDF GhostScript "font embedding" GhostScript "embed fonts"