PDF documents allow users to share content between different platforms and operating systems and keep the format of the content consistent when printing.

Being able to create a PDF from your posts or pages is useful if you want to offer your visitors or users the option of emailing or downloading your content.

PDFs can be used to download content such as:

• Checklists
• Procedures
• Product Specs
• Research
• Price Lists
• Recipes
• Song Lyrics
• etc.

You can also offer PDF downloads to grow your email subscriber list.

This tutorial shows you how to convert your WordPress posts and pages into downloadable PDFs.

How To Convert WordPress Posts And Pages Into Downloadable PDFs

WordPress doesn’t automatically convert posts, pages, or content into PDFs. This tutorial will show you how to enable the PDF conversion process using WordPress plugins.

WordPress PDF Plugins

There are a number of WordPress plugins available that can convert your post and page content into downloadable PDFs.

For this tutorial, we’ll show you how to download and install a plugin called DK PDF, then present a list of other PDF plugins.

DK PDF

(DK PDF)

Plugin Description

DK PDF is a free WordPress plugin that allows your site visitors to convert your posts and pages to PDF.

Plugin Installation

To install the DK PDF plugin from your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, enter “dk pdf” into the Keyword search field (if you need help see our tutorial on installing WordPress plugins), and click on the ‘Install Now’ button …

(Install DK PDF plugin)

After installing the plugin, click ‘Activate’ …

(Activate the plugin)

Configuring The Plugin

After the plugin has been installed and activated, a new item is added to the WordPress Dashboard menu.

To configure the plugin’s settings, select DK PDF from your main menu …

(DK PDF menu)

This brings you to the plugin’s settings screen.

Here you can configure settings for the PDF button, such as display text, which post types you want to enable PDF downloads for (including custom post types), whether the PDF file opens in a new window or can be downloaded directly, where the button will appear in your content (use shortcode, before content, or after content) and its alignment (left, center, right)  …

(DK PDF Settings – PDF Button options)

You can also specify options for your PDF files in the ‘PDF Setup’ tab …

(DK PDF Settings – PDF Setup options)

And customize your PDF header and footer with your logo, show title, pagination, footer text, etc., as well as style your PDF using CSS …

(DK PDF Settings – PDF Header & Footer options)

The plugin also provides an advanced PDF generator that lets you create larger PDF documents from your content with a cover and table of contents.

To access this feature, select the DK PDF > Addons menu …

(DK PDF – Addons menu)

Click on the link in the ‘Addons’ screen …

(DK PDF Addons screen)

The DK PDF Generator addon is a premium tool that lets you create PDF ebooks and magazines from your content …

(DK PDF Generator addon)

If you experience any issues with the plugin, select the DK PDF > Support menu …

(DK PDF – Support menu)

This will take you to the plugin’s documentation and support site  …

(DK PDF plugin documentation and support area)

Using The Plugin

After configuring the plugin’s settings, the PDF download link will display automatically in your content for the post types you have enabled  …

(WordPress post with PDF button)

The plugin also provides a shortcode …

(PDF button shortcode)

Use the plugin’s shortcode to add PDF download links wherever you like in your content …

(Use the shortcode to display the PDF button in your content)

You can also disable the PDF button on individual posts or pages …

(Disable DK PDF Button on individual posts or pages)

For more details about this plugin, go here: DK PDF

Additional WordPress PDF Plugins

Here are some additional plugins you can check out to integrate PDF functionality with WordPress.

Post Gopher

(Post Gopher WordPress Lead Generation Plugin)

Post Gopher is not just a plugin that converts your post and pages into a downloadable PDF, it’s also a “set and forget” lead generation tool that collects leads, grows your list, boosts user engagement, and helps you get more traffic on autopilot …

(Add a lead generation ‘call to action’ button to your posts)

For more details, see this post or visit the website here: Post Gopher

PDF & Print

(PDF & Print)

PDF & Print is a free plugin that lets you add PDF & print buttons to WordPress website pages, posts, widgets, search results, archives, and custom post types, use image, text, or image & text buttons, specify button alignment and position in your content, display PDF & Print buttons for certain user roles, create PDF files and print pages using shortcodes, generate documents with custom styles, titles, and featured image, and more.

The plugin also offers a Pro version with advanced customization features which let you add text or image watermarks, create custom document header and footer templates, display page count and post author, compatibility with WooCommerce, set PDF orientation, and more.

For more details about this plugin, go here: PDF & Print

WP Advanced PDF

(WP Advanced PDF)

WP Advanced PDF is a completely self contained PDF generating plugin that is easy to install, configure, and use. In addition to a comprehensive set of options and loads of customization features, this plugin also gives you the option of allowing all site visitors to download PDFs or limiting access to pdfs to registered users only. The plugin developers also provide a premium version with additional features.

For more details about this plugin, go here: WP Advanced PDF

Print, PDF, Email

(Print, PDF, Email)

The Print, PDF, Email plugin lets you add print, PDF, and email options to WordPress, which can be turned on or off, custom headers and footers for the print and PDF options, choose button styles or use your own text and image/button, password-protect content, track downloads in Google Analytics, and more.

The plugin offers both a free and premium version option with advanced features.

For more details about this plugin, go here: Print, PDF, Email

PDF Embedder

(PDF Embedder)

PDF Embedder does not convert your posts or pages into a PDF. Instead, this free plugin lets you upload your PDFs to your WordPress site and embed them directly into your content (like adding images) …

(PDF Embedder lets you embed PDFs into your content)

Embedded PDFs can automatically size to their original dimensions, fill the available width, or you can specify a width and the height will be calculated automatically. The plugin uses a unique method for embedding PDFs, giving you a lot of flexibility over the appearance of your document. Users can navigate and zoom through the content.

The premium version of the plugin allows users to download the embedded PDF, is mobile-friendly, provides a full screen mode, tracking for number of downloads and views, active hyperlinks, security options, continous scroll, and many extra features.

For more details about this plugin, visit the plugin site here: PDF Embedder

Congratulations! Now you know how to convert your WordPress posts and pages into downloadable PDFs. We hope that you have found the above information useful.

Images sourced from Pixabay.

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