pdfFactory

pdfFactory is software that generates PDF documents from any application via a virtual printer driver. It enables combining multiple sources, instant preview, encryption, font embedding, page insertion and deletion, and email sending. The Pro edition adds numbering, watermarks, text editing, signatures, cropping, PDF/A compliance, forms, and automatic table of contents.

★★★★★

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• Two-click PDF creation. The core function converts any printable document into a PDF file using the pdfFactory virtual printer. From any software such as browsers, text editors or graphics applications, the user selects "Print" and chooses pdfFactory as the printer. The process generates the PDF without intermediate steps, preserving original layout, images and basic formatting.
• Instant preview before saving. Before the final PDF file is saved, a preview window displays all pages. This view allows verification of the result, detection of formatting errors or unwanted content, and modifications without opening the PDF in another viewer. The preview avoids generating multiple test versions and reduces correction time.
• Combine documents from multiple sources. The program accepts content from different applications and formats into a single PDF. For example, a spreadsheet, text from a word processor and an image from a graphics editor can be combined. All parts are assembled into a single page flow, sortable and editable before final creation.
• Encryption and access control. pdfFactory incorporates password protection and AES 128-bit or 256-bit encryption. Specific actions can be restricted: prevent printing of the document, block copying of text or images, disable editing of fields and annotations, and prevent page extraction. This function ensures confidentiality and distribution rights.
• Full font embedding. All typefaces used in the original document are included inside the generated PDF file. Even if the PDF reader does not have those fonts installed, the text displays exactly with the same design, spacing and shape intended by the author. Font substitution that alters appearance or page count is avoided.
• Page insertion and deletion before creation. From the preview window, unwanted pages (such as blank sheets or print banners) can be deleted and additional pages from other documents can be inserted. The final result is assembled without modifying original files. This function reduces page waste and cleans the PDF of irrelevant content.
• One-click email sending. Once the PDF is generated, the program can directly open the default email client, attach the newly created file, and automatically fill in the subject line. Only one button press is required, then the recipient is entered. Additionally, the PDF can be copied to the clipboard for pasting into a webmail or document management system.
• Page numbering, headers, footers and watermarks (Pro). The Pro version adds automatic or customizable layers with page numbers, fixed text at the top (header) or bottom (footer), and watermarks such as "Confidential", "Draft" or semi-transparent logos. Position, font, rotation and opacity are adjustable. This professionalizes documents without manual page-by-page editing.
• Bookmarks and automatic table of contents (Pro). The software analyzes document structure (for example, heading styles or section breaks) and generates interactive bookmarks in the PDF navigation panel. It can also build a table of contents on an initial page, with clickable links to each section. Navigation through long documents becomes fast and organized.
• Text editing, page cropping and grayscale conversion (Pro). Text content inside the generated PDF can be modified: changing words, correcting typos or updating dates. The crop tool removes unwanted margins or areas by resizing the page. Grayscale conversion transforms color documents into monochrome PDFs, reducing file size and preparing black-and-white printing.
• PDF form filling and save as single-page series (Pro). The Pro version allows completing form fields (text, checkboxes, dropdown lists) directly before printing to PDF. Additionally, each page of a document can be saved as a separate PDF file, generating a numbered series. This function serves to extract specific pages or distribute single-page documents to different recipients.
• Multiple signatures and initials with Notes function (Pro). Handwritten signatures (digitized or created with mouse/touch screen) and initials inside text blocks can be incorporated. The Notes function allows adding popup annotations with embedded signatures, meeting legal or internal approval requirements without printing or scanning.
• Copy, highlight, edit and redact text and graphics (Pro). Advanced editing tools include text highlighting in color, copying fragments to clipboard, redaction (permanent masking of confidential information) and deletion of graphic elements. Images and vectors inside the PDF can be extracted, copied or deleted while keeping the rest of the content intact.
• Convert text to links and append PDFs (Pro). Any text string that appears as a URL (http://, https://, www.) can be transformed into a clickable hyperlink. Additional PDF files can also be appended (attached) to the end of the active document without reprinting the entire set. This builds composite documents incrementally.
• PDF/A compliance for archiving (Pro). pdfFactory Pro can generate PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b and PDF/A-3b files, ISO standards designed for long-term preservation. These formats embed all fonts, prohibit external dynamic content, and guarantee that the document will look identical decades later, meeting judicial, governmental or corporate archiving regulations.
• Microsoft signed drivers and server deployment (Pro). pdfFactory Pro printer drivers have Microsoft digital signatures, ensuring compatibility with modern Windows versions without security warnings. The server edition allows silent installation and network sharing for environments with multiple users, centralizing PDF creation on workstations without individual licenses.

pdfFactory was created by FinePrint Software, founded by Frank Fine. The first version was released in 1999, initially as a printer driver to generate PDF simply from Windows. Development continued with the Pro version, which incorporated advanced editing and security features. The program is written in C++ and uses the Windows printing API (GDI) to capture the print data stream and convert it to native PDF.

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ReamPDF

ReamPDF is a desktop application for PDF document management that operates entirely locally, requiring no internet connection and no file uploads to external servers.

Price: $10   Size: 26.6 MB   Version: 1.0   OS: Windows