Create PDFs using Acrobat Distiller

Last updated on Aug 16, 2025

Learn how to convert PostScript files to PDF using Acrobat Distiller.

Acrobat Distiller offers advanced control for converting files to PDFs, allowing you to customize settings for PDF quality, file size, and security. You can process single files or multiple files and manage a queue for batch conversions, making it ideal for individual documents and large-scale PDF production.

Windows

Select Start > All Programs > Acrobat Distiller.

In Acrobat Distiller, select Settings > Security to change the encryption level as needed.

Select File > Open and select the file that you want to convert.

The Acrobat Distiller window displays the File menu with the following options: Open, Preferences, and Exit.
The bottom pane of the Acrobat Distiller displays the conversion process information such as start time, distill time and destination of the converted file.

Select Open.

Select OK in the Confirm Security dialog box.

If you add multiple files for conversions, select any of the following options to manage the queue:

  • To temporarily pause processing, select Pause.
  • To resume processing, select Resume.
  • To remove a file from the queue, select the file and then select Cancel Job(s).
  • To open the folder containing selected files, right-click the job queue and select Explore.
  • To open a converted PDF, double-click the file in the job queue.
  • To clear the queue, right-click the job queue and select Clear History.
  • To save the queue history, right-click the job queue and select Save list.

macOS

Select Finder > Applications > Adobe Acrobat > Acrobat Distiller.

In Acrobat Distiller, select Settings > Security to change the encryption level as needed.

Select File > Open and select the file that you want to convert.

Select Open.

Select OK in the Confirm Security dialog box.

If you add multiple files for conversions, select any of the following options to manage the queue:

  • To temporarily pause processing, select Pause.
  • To resume processing, select Resume.
  • To remove a file from the queue, select the file and select then Cancel Job(s).
  • To open a converted PDF, double-click it in the job queue.
  • To clear the queue, select Clear List.