A printing method is described that allows the user to conveniently either print a document, or generate an output file from it in a desired image file format and save the file for late use, or both at once. The user opens a document using an application, and issues a print request. From the print dialog box, the user chooses to set printing preferences. The print preferences dialog box includes an "output file" tab allowing the user to specify whether an output file is to be generated, specify an output file format, specify a destination for saving the output file, and specify whether hard copies of the document are to be printed on the printer. The method may be implemented as a part of a printer driver program.