Print separate pdf files on Mac

pbacot · 16 May 2018, 06:09

I've posted this question myself before. I have a need to get each layout page as a separate pdf file, and printing each separately and renaming became a speed bump in my process. (At least for me on the Mac, LO always prints all the pages into one pdf file.)

I had a feeling that the Automator app on the Mac could do this, but I didn't know how. Then I just now found in the "PDF" pull-down in the lower left of the print screen..."Edit Menu..." and there you can add "Printing Workflows". I didn't have any to add but with Automator you can make one.

in Automator choose "Print Plugin" from the types of scripts to make.
In the list of "Actions" on the left choose "PDFs"
In the list that appears choose Split PDF.
Save the Print Plugin in the file menu (and name it).
Next time you go to the Print Dialog go to the PDF pull-down menu, choose "Edit Menu" and choose your Print Plugin (or "Printing Workflow" is the same thing I guess)

There are some options in Automator, if anyone wants to discuss this. I set it up to let me choose where the files go each time (works a bit clunkier than the standard save, don't know why).

It gives you a separate pdf file for each page in your chosen folder, named consistently, and will replace the former saved pdf, if you set it that way. This works well for me because I have another program that will pick up the current pdf automatically as long as it has the same name as before.

Dave R · 16 May 2018, 10:51

Hmmm... Good tip. And you're printing to PDF instead of exporting as a PDF. Exporting gives you the option to export single pages. To get each one as a separate file, you'd have to export each one manually.

pbacot · 16 May 2018, 15:37

I never tried exporting pdf from LO, or don't recall. I'd have to check the results. Consistent automatic naming of the files is helpful to me in the print process I described. One less thing to do (actually several actions), or to go wrong (e.g. when you have to go all the way back to SU file to correct a little thing and then get to your finished output again through LO, especially at deadline). Another thing was the slow print dialog in LO. Each time you choose to print a page it seems to have to re-render it. Just long enough to cause a little blip in your flow.