Are you ready to make a PDF of your book or design piece to be printed, but don't know how? There are a number of applications and software available for both the Windows and Macintosh market to help you. Use the information below as a head start.

ONLINE OPTIONS

Some websites will convert your files to a PDF for you. Depending on the application you are using, you might find the following sites helpful:
Free PDF Convert
PDF Online

WINDOWS

CutePDF (free)
This software is highly recommended and reviewed by many Windows users. Simply follow the download and installation instructions at the website above. You may also need to download GNU Ghostscript. There is a link at the site to download this for free as well. (See versiontracker.com for more information, previous releases, and customer testimonials.)

o Supports Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003.

PrimoPDF
Convert to PDF from any application by simply 'printing' to the PrimoPDF® printer - it couldn't be easier! Within minutes, you can create high-quality PDFs by converting from Word, Excel, and virtually any other printable file type.

Adobe Acrobat ($299)
This is the best software out there for creating PDFs and is highly recommended for professionals using both the Windows and Macintosh computer platform. If you are going to be doing several books, or even just one book, but you want complete control and reliability, consider investing in this program.

o Intel® Pentium® processor
o Microsoft® Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
o Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
o 128MB of RAM (256MB recommended)
o 360MB of available hard-disk space; cache for optional installation files (recommended) requires an additional 300MB of available hard-disk space
o 800x600 screen resolution
o CD-ROM drive

MACINTOSH

All Macintosh computers now come with the OS X operating system, which is great for making PDFs because you can make a PDF from any application you are in. Simply go to FILE: PRINT and in the dialog box that appears, click on the button in the lower left hand corner to SAVE AS A PDF.