CutePDF Writer Creator & Producer
Understanding PDF metadata that shows CutePDF Writer as the Creator or Producer — learn how this popular free virtual printer creates professional-quality PDF documents from any Windows application.
📄 About This PDF Metadata
When you examine a PDF file's properties and see CutePDF Writer as the Producer, it indicates that the document was created using CutePDF Writer — a free virtual printer for Windows developed by Acro Software that converts any printable document to PDF format.
Sample PDF Metadata from CutePDF Writer:
Title: Quarterly Report
Author: Finance Department
Creator: Microsoft® Excel®
Producer: GPL Ghostscript 10.02.1
Creation Date: 2025-01-27 09:30:00
PDF Version: 1.4
CutePDF Writer uses Ghostscript as its PDF generation engine. The Producer field typically shows "GPL Ghostscript" followed by the version number, while the Creator field shows the original application (like Microsoft Word or Excel) that generated the print job.
PDF Creator
Shows the originating application (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, browser) that sent the print job to CutePDF Writer.
PDF Producer
Shows GPL Ghostscript [version] — the open-source PostScript interpreter that converts the print data to PDF format.
📚 What is CutePDF?
CutePDF is a suite of PDF creation and manipulation software for Microsoft Windows developed by Acro Software Inc., a company founded in 1998 specializing in PDF and electronic forms solutions. The flagship product, CutePDF Writer, was first released in 2004 as a free virtual printer utility that enables users to convert any printable document into a professional-quality PDF file.
Company Information
| Developer: | Acro Software Inc. |
| Founded: | 1998 |
| Headquarters: | Haymarket, Virginia, USA |
| Website: | cutepdf.com |
Product Details
| First Released: | 2004 |
| Current Version: | 4.0 |
| Platforms: | Windows only |
| License: | Free (commercial & personal) |
| Requires: | Ghostscript (PS2PDF converter) |
Key Features:
Completely Free
Free for both personal and commercial use, no watermarks or ads
Virtual Printer
Installs as a printer, works from any application that can print
Lightweight & Fast
Small installation size, minimal system resources, quick conversion
💡 Ghostscript Requirement
CutePDF Writer requires a PS2PDF converter (PostScript to PDF) to function. The recommended option is GPL Ghostscript, a free open-source interpreter for the PostScript language and PDF file format. Ghostscript must be installed separately before or after installing CutePDF Writer.
⚙️ How CutePDF Creates PDFs
CutePDF Writer operates as a virtual printer in Windows, intercepting print jobs and converting them to PDF:
PDF Creation Workflow:
1. Print
Select File → Print in any application
2. Select Printer
Choose CutePDF Writer as the printer
3. Convert
Ghostscript converts PostScript to PDF
4. Save
Choose filename and location
When you "print" to CutePDF Writer, the application sends print data through the Windows printing subsystem. CutePDF intercepts this data and passes it to Ghostscript, which interprets the PostScript output and generates a PDF file. A Save dialog then prompts you to specify the filename and location.
🛠️ CutePDF Product Suite
Acro Software offers several CutePDF products:
CutePDF Writer
FreeFree virtual printer for creating PDFs from any application.
- Create professional-quality PDFs
- Works with any printable application
- 256-bit AES encryption support
- No watermarks or ads
- Free for personal and commercial use
CutePDF Professional
$49.95Full-featured PDF editor with advanced capabilities.
- Edit PDFs, fill forms
- Add watermarks, stamps, comments
- Digital signatures, hyperlinks
- Page imposition, booklet creation
- One-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades
CutePDF Form Filler
Included with ProEdit and fill PDF forms without expensive software.
- Fill interactive PDF forms
- Save filled forms in Acrobat Reader
- Add text to non-fillable PDFs
Custom PDF Writer SDK
DeveloperProgrammatic PDF creation for developers.
- API for PDF generation
- Integrate into applications
- Custom branding options
📤 How to Use CutePDF
Create PDFs using CutePDF Writer from any Windows application:
Installation Steps:
Download GPL Ghostscript from ghostscript.com first, then install CutePDF Writer from cutepdf.com. After installation, verify "CutePDF Writer" appears in Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Creating a PDF:
In any application, go to File → Print. Select "CutePDF Writer" as the printer and click Print. Important: Do NOT select "Print to File" option. A Save As dialog will appear where you can name and save your PDF.
Configuring Print Settings:
- In the Print dialog, click Properties or Preferences next to CutePDF Writer
- Click Advanced to access additional settings
- Set Paper Size, Print Quality (DPI), and other options
- For font embedding, set TrueType Fonts to "Download as Softfont"
- Click OK to save settings and proceed with printing
⚠️ Installation Warning
When installing CutePDF Writer, watch for optional bundled software offers. Always download from the official cutepdf.com website and carefully review each installation step to decline any unwanted toolbars or browser changes.
🔍 Understanding PDF Metadata
CutePDF Writer creates PDFs using Ghostscript, which sets the metadata fields:
| Metadata Field | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Document name or filename | Often derived from the source document |
| Author | From source document or system | May be taken from the original application |
| Creator | Source application name | Shows the application that printed (e.g., Microsoft Word) |
| Producer | GPL Ghostscript [version] |
Ghostscript version that generated the PDF |
| CreationDate | Conversion timestamp | When the PDF was created |
| ModDate | Modification timestamp | When the PDF was last modified |
Sample Producer Values:
| Ghostscript Version | Producer Value |
|---|---|
| Ghostscript 10.x | GPL Ghostscript 10.02.1 |
| Ghostscript 9.x | GPL Ghostscript 9.56.1 |
| Ghostscript 8.x (legacy) | GPL Ghostscript 8.71 |
| AGPL Ghostscript | AGPL Ghostscript 10.0 |
Setting Custom Metadata (CutePDF Professional):
With CutePDF Professional, you can customize document metadata:
- Open the PDF in CutePDF Professional
- Go to File → Document Properties
- Edit Title, Author, Subject, and Keywords
- Save the document to preserve changes
Note: CutePDF Writer (free version) does not allow editing metadata after PDF creation. Use CutePDF Professional or configure default metadata in the printer preferences.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Common issues when using CutePDF Writer:
CutePDF Writer Not Working
Cause: Ghostscript is not installed or is an incompatible version.
Solution: Download and install the latest GPL Ghostscript from ghostscript.com. Ensure you install the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) matching your Windows installation. After installing Ghostscript, reinstall CutePDF Writer if necessary.
CutePDF Writer Is Corrupt
Cause: Installation files may be corrupted or incomplete installation.
Solution: Uninstall CutePDF Writer from Windows Settings → Apps. Delete any remaining files in the installation directory. Download a fresh copy from the official website and reinstall. Also reinstall Ghostscript if the issue persists.
PDF Pages Not Appearing / Blank PDF
Cause: Conflict with Adobe Acrobat Reader or mixed versions installed.
Solution: If you have full Adobe Acrobat installed, there may be conflicts. In Adobe Reader, go to Help → Repair Adobe Reader Installation. Alternatively, launch Internet Explorer and check Internet Options. If the issue persists, try installing an older version of Acrobat Reader after installing the newer version.
Font Capture Not Working
Cause: Temporary files or font embedding settings issue.
Solution: Delete all temporary files by typing %tmp% in the Windows Run dialog and deleting files in that folder. Restart the application. Also, in CutePDF Writer printer properties, go to Advanced and set TrueType Fonts to "Download as Softfont" for proper font embedding.
Adobe Detects Issue with CutePDF Plug-in
Cause: 64-bit reference conflict on 32-bit operating system.
Solution: Remove the 64-bit reference from the application's plug-in settings. This typically occurs when CutePDF components are mismatched with the Windows architecture. Ensure you're using the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version of both Ghostscript and CutePDF Writer for your system.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When a PDF shows "GPL Ghostscript" as the Producer, it typically means the PDF was created using CutePDF Writer or another Ghostscript-based PDF tool. CutePDF Writer is a free virtual printer for Windows that uses Ghostscript as its PDF generation engine to convert any printable document to PDF format.
Yes, CutePDF Writer is completely free for both personal and commercial use. There are no watermarks, no ads, and no feature limitations in the free version. Acro Software also offers CutePDF Professional ($49.95) with advanced editing features like form filling, page manipulation, and digital signatures.
CutePDF Writer was first released in 2004 by Acro Software Inc., a company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Haymarket, Virginia, USA. The software has been recommended by publications including TechRepublic (2003), The Washington Post (2009), and PC World (2014).
CutePDF Writer operates as a virtual printer that captures print output in PostScript format. It requires Ghostscript, a free open-source PostScript interpreter, to convert this PostScript data into PDF format. Ghostscript is the "engine" that does the actual PDF conversion — CutePDF Writer provides the virtual printer interface.
CutePDF Writer is Windows only, supporting Windows Vista through Windows 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows Server 2008 through 2025. There is no native support for macOS, Linux, or mobile platforms. However, Acro Software offers a CutePDF Editor web-based tool for cross-platform PDF editing.
CutePDF Writer (free) creates PDFs from any printable document — that's all it does. CutePDF Professional ($49.95) adds PDF editing capabilities including form filling, page manipulation (merge, split, rotate), watermarks, stamps, comments, hyperlinks, digital signatures, security settings, and a built-in PDF viewer. Professional is a one-time purchase with free lifetime upgrades.
Yes, several free virtual PDF printers exist: Bullzip PDF Printer (more customization options), doPDF (intuitive interface), PDFCreator (open-source with encryption support), and Microsoft Print to PDF (built into Windows 10/11). Each has different features and trade-offs compared to CutePDF Writer.
🛠️ Related Tools
PDF Metadata Viewer
Free tool to view PDF metadata including Creator, Producer, and version information.
View PDF Metadata →
📝 Summary: CutePDF Writer PDF Metadata
- Acro Software Inc. founded 1998
- CutePDF Writer released 2004
- Producer shows GPL Ghostscript [version]
- Completely free for personal & commercial
- Windows only (Vista through 11)
- Headquarters in Haymarket, Virginia
- Requires Ghostscript (PS2PDF converter)
- Virtual printer — works from any app
- Professional version: $49.95
- No watermarks, no ads