Problem printing to PDF with multiple pages on Monterey

Ok, now for the details.

In my proposed solution:

1) I will use Automator to er... automate the steps in converting the pdf to png images, and then recreate a pdf from these images. It only takes two Automator actions.

1a) In Automator, create a new "Quick Action"

1b) Set it to receive PDF files in any application

1c) Add a "Render PDF Pages as Images" action, and choose png format, and an appropriate resolution

1d) Add the dual action, "New PDF from Images" and choose a location to save the new file

You can now use this straight from the Finder if you want, by control-clicking any pdf and choosing Quick Actions->Flatten PDF

2) Once we have any application or Workflow or script that receives PDF files, you can add it to the PDF menu in the Print dialog, very easily. All you have to do is put an alias to it in ~/Library/PDF Services

So In Finder,

2a) press Command-Shift-G and paste ~/Library/Services - that is where you find the Quick Action created above

2b) press Command-Shift-G and paste ~/Library/PDF Services - that is where you want an alias, in order to be able to use this from the Print dialog.

2c) Hold down Command and Option keys, and drag from 2a to 2b to create an alias

DONE.

dragos_2p wrote:

Hello,

the reason i go with PNG first is to make the document look like a scan, going directly to PDF will make the file editable with layers and the signature, stamp or any added text will be subject to copy/paste in any editors like Adobe Illustrator.

Ok, so now I understand why you go through PNG.

I tried that and printed the multi-page PNG to PDF, and it all came out correctly.

There may a problem with the print driver you are using (yes, even when printing to pdf, a print driver is still involved).

I would try using a different printer driver - you could add a "dummy printer", like this:

You will see that there is no communication with the printer (of course); click Continue.

The when printing to pdf, choose this printer, ignore the warning and choose PDF->Save as PDF

I don't know exactly what is causing your problem, but I think I can help!

You don't need to go through png at all.

If you print to pdf directly, you will still "bake" your markup into the resulting pdf, AND it will still be a vectorial file (whereas the png would be rasterized, i.e. turned into an image).

And printing to pdf is working fine.

Hello dragos_2p,

Thanks for participating in the Apple Support Communities.

As you're seeing this occur when trying to save from PNG to PDF to print, let's check to make sure all files are selected to see if that could be related to what is occurring. Check out the information below, which can also be found here: Convert image file types using Preview on Mac - Apple Support

Tip: To convert more than one image file at a time, open the files in one window, select them in that window’s sidebar, then follow the steps above.

If that isn't helpful in clearing this up, confirm that you're on the latest macOS version to see if an update is available. If you do see an update available, be sure you have a backup of information prior to installing. This resource has helpful information to back up and update macOS: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

If that isn't helpful, let us know if this occurs when you try to print directly from a PDF without converting to a PNG first.

Have a great dat!

dragos_2p wrote:

Performance (usability) concern

Sorry, I don't understand that. If it were a security matter, that would make sense, but why go through hoops just to prevent copying? Performance it is not - the text-editable pdf files would be smaller and perform fine. Usability? How would a non editable pdf be more usable than otherwise?

I think I have a solution that will even simplify your workflow considerably.

Before going into details:

What if you could just take the PDF, Print and then from the PDF menu choose "Flatten PDF", like this:

I will describe how you can do this in my next post.

The only significant difference that I can see is that in your case your workflow receives "documents" while mine receives "PDF files". Since the quick action starts off by splitting the pages of a pdf, it does not make sense for other types of documents.

So, try changing this:

to this:

Note that you can use the workflow in the Finder only for PDF files; but if done as I describe, it will also work in the Print dialog for any type of files (as the printing process will do the pdf under the hood).

Just to clarify as this post interests me ... you have a security concern and not a performance concern?