How to Convert AI to PDF without Illustrator for Print?
Published: March 3rd, 2025 • 7 Min Read
Are you struggling with multiple Illustrator files and want to know how to bulk convert AI files to PDF with/without Illustrator for some reasons? If yes, then within this technical column we are going to describe the best optimal solutions to overcome your problem. Additionally, we will also discover some of the free techniques in a detailed step-by-step manner. Therefore, it is suggested to read each section of this blog content. Now let us start our discussion by understanding various needs to save illustrator files as PDF for printing.
Why Convert Adobe Illustrator Files to PDF?
For Printing: There are an array of instances when printing services providers want to print the design created in Adobe Illustrator. However, PDF is recommended to be the best file format for printing purposes as it can preserve formatting, fonts, text, and other data. Therefore, to solve the printing problem, these organizations and individuals need to save AI file as PDF.
For Accessibility: As we all know that a PDF file is a globally recognized and acceptable file format that can be accessed easily on any device. Therefore, to provide ease to the users who do not have access to Adobe Illustrator, PDF is the best choice for them. In simple words, to provide access to users who do not have Illustrator access, they need to save AI file in PDF format.
For File Size Optimization: The Adobe Illustrator design files can have a size of hundreds of MBs. Therefore, to optimize storage space usage, users often need to convert multiple AI files to PDF format. Here, PDF files are comparably small with the integrated AI file data.
How to Convert AI to PDF Directly with Adobe Illustrator?
- At the start, open Adobe Illustrator on your local desktop.
- Next, open the AI file in the Illustrator.
- Then, go to the File tab and click on the Save As option.
- Now, choose the Save as type as Adobe PDF and enter the file name.
- After that, choose the destination location and click on the Save option.
- Thereafter, a popup window of Illustrator will appear with the advanced option.
- Finally, manage these advanced PDF saving options accordingly and click on Save PDF.
How to Convert AI to PDF for Free without Adobe Illustrator?
Adobe Illustrator files are widely used for vector graphics, but they can be challenging if you lack Adobe Illustrator. If you are also looking for the alternate approach to save Illustrator file as PDF for email, printing, accessibility, etc. Then, you may use the open-source solutions like Inkscape and Scribus to solve your problem. Now, let us walk through the step-by-step guide for each technique one-by-one to convert AI files to PDF.
#1 How to Export Illustrator File as PDF Using Inkscape?
- Initially, install and launch Inkscape on your local device.
- Now, import the AI file into the Inkscape environment.
- After that click on File >> Save As >> PDF format.
- Then, adjust advanced PDF settings like PDF version, output size, bleed section, etc.
- Finally, click on the Ok button to export Illustrator file as PDF format.
#2 How to Convert Adobe Illustrator File to PDF with Scribus?
- First, download and run the Scribus open-source application on your PC.
- Next, go to the File tab and click on the Open button & choose AI files to convert.
- After that, click on the open button and again go to the File tab.
- Thereafter, click on the Export >> Save As PDF & click on change option to select destination path.
- Finally, click on the Save button to convert Adobe Illustrator file to PDF.
Drawbacks of Utilizing Free Ways to Convert Multiple AI Files to PDF
Limited Compatibility: In the free alternative techniques to convert Illustrator files to PDF, some AI features may not be preserved after the conversion process. Therefore, for professionals, this technique is not recommended by experts.
Quality Loss: The quality of the complex AI files will be lost in the open-source techniques. Therefore, it is suggested to check the complexity of the Illustration files before converting them to PDF using freeways.
Batch Processing: One notable pitfall of using the DIY approach to save Illustrator file as PDF is batch conversion. Users who want to convert multiple AI files to PDF for printing need to repeat the same sets of steps. Since batch processing functionality is not available in DIY techniques.
Time Consuming: In the DIY approach, you need to manually adjust the settings for converted PDF files. Like DPI settings, rasterization, bleeds, etc. Which is a very time-consuming and labour-intensive process.
Automated Approach to Convert Illustrator File to PDF for Printing
If you are looking for a dedicated smart solution to convert AI to PDF without Illustrator for printing. Then, you may use the BitRecover AI Converter Software. This is an advanced solution that supports to convert multiple AI files to PDF without Illustrator for printing, email, accessibility, etc. This is a standalone utility that can convert multiple AI files to PDF at once without any file size limitations in offline mode. Let us delve deep into the working of the utility in a detailed step-by-step approach.
#3 How to Batch Export Illustrator to PDF without Adobe Illustrator?
- At the start, install & launch the AI to PDF converter on your local desktop.
- Now, click on the Select Files or Select Folder options to load AI files to the utility console.
- Then, use the selective file conversion feature of the utility to choose AI files for PDF conversion.
- After that, choose the output saving option as PDF from the drop-down menu.
- Thereafter, click on the browse folder icon to choose the storage location of the resultant data.
- Finally, click on the convert button to start the AI to PDF conversion process.
Which Approach is Better for AI to PDF Conversion?
| Features | Adobe Illustrator | Inkscape | Scribus | BitRecover AI to PDF Converter |
| Batch Conversion | Not Supported | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Supported |
| Preserve AI Files Quality and Features | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Support Large Files | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cost Effective | Expensive | Free | Free | Paid |
| Offline Functionality | Supported | Yes | Yes | Supported |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion of the above blog on the topic of how to convert AI to PDF with/without Illustrator, we have discussed several techniques. We have started our discussion by understanding the need to export AI files to PDF for different reasons. Secondly, we have seen the direct approach to save Illustrator file as PDF using Adobe Illustrator. However, this approach requires a licensed version of the software, which is not cost effective at all if just required to convert AI to PDF format.
Therefore, we have discovered several open-source solutions to save Illustrator file as PDF such as using Inkscape, Scribus, etc. However, this approach has quality issues after converting AI to PDF and several other limitations. Additionally, we have seen the smart AI to PDF converter solution with its working steps to overcome pitfalls of DIY ways. Finally, we have seen the detailed comparisons of all the techniques discussed above in the simple tabular form.