Need a simple way to add PDFs to WordPress without sending visitors to a new tab or a clunky browser viewer? We took a look at the PDF Poster from BPlugins, and it does what most of us need right out of the gate.
We can add PDFs to posts, pages, page builders, and even widget areas. We can control what users can do with those files, from read-only to full access.
How to Get the Best Deal on PDF Poster
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PDF Poster – First Look Video
Discovering PDF Poster: A Simple Way to Embed PDFs on WordPress
PDF Poster focuses on one thing: easy PDF embedding. It works with the WordPress block editor, shortcodes, the classic editor, popular builders, and sidebar areas. The plugin uses its own PDF viewer, so we get consistent controls and a polished frame around the file. We can also show a raw PDF when we want a clean, borderless view.
This was a true first look. We installed the plugin on a clean site and walked the product like a new user would. The setup was smooth, the options were clear, and the viewer was responsive.
Common use cases:
- Adding PDFs to blog posts
- Protecting content behind logins or paywalls
- Sharing documents in sidebars or resource pages
Key Features of PDF Poster
Here is a quick rundown of the core features and what they solve:
- Raw PDF Viewer: Embed the PDF without the black frame when you want a minimal look or custom styling.
- Protected Content: Lock actions like downloading and printing for read-only access.
- Presets: Save your viewer settings for fast reuse across new embeds.
- Shortcodes and Blocks: Add PDFs in Gutenberg, classic editor, or via shortcode.
- Sidebar Toggle Menu: Show a thumbnail sidebar for quick page navigation.
- Download Button: Give users a clear path to save the PDF.
- Full-Screen Option: Let visitors expand the PDF for better reading.
- Translate Options: Adjust viewer labels for different languages.
- Jump to Page: Open the PDF to a specific page number.
The built-in viewer gives us consistent controls and a polished frame. It avoids the inconsistent behavior of browser-based PDF viewers, and it looks good on the page.
Installing and First Steps in WordPress Dashboard
Plugin Menu Overview
Once installed, the plugin adds a main menu in the WordPress admin. From there, we can:
- Contact support
- Open documentation
- Rate the plugin
- Visit the website
- Explore demos inside the dashboard
The in-dashboard demos speed up learning and help us test options without leaving WordPress.
Adding Your First PDF
Go to PDF Poster, then Add PDF. Give it a title, upload your file, and publish. The plugin generates shortcodes we can drop into any post or page. It also provides a raw embed option if we prefer the borderless view.
Quick Embed Settings
Quick Embed uses a simple shortcode with defaults for height, width, printing, full screen, and protection. A typical pattern looks like this: [pdf_poster url="your-pdf-url.pdf" height="600" width="100%"]. We can tweak defaults in Settings, and reset them if needed.
Customizing PDF Embeds on the Frontend
Basic Viewing and Navigation
On the frontend, the PDF appears in a black frame controlled by the plugin’s viewer engine. The right-side toolbar handles search, match case, and highlights. The bottom area controls page navigation and zoom. We can zoom in/out, search within the document, jump between pages, and open a full-screen view. The full-screen button expands the document and improves focus for long reads.
Per-PDF Adjustments in the Block Editor
Protection and Download Options
We can set per-PDF rules in the block editor:
- Turn on Protect My Content to block download and similar actions. This creates a read-only view.
- Add and rename the download button for open content, for example, set the text to “Download Me.”
- Allow Print for users who need a hard copy.
This gives us flexible control for public, gated, or member-only content.
Display Tweaks
We can refine the display to match each use case:
- Enable Raw PDF to remove the black frame and expose a minimalist embed.
- Turn on Enable Thumbnails to add a sidebar toggle menu with page thumbnails.
- Set Show Thumbs by Default to keep the sidebar open when the PDF loads.
Benefits of thumbnails:
- Quick page jumping for long files
- Better scanning and orientation
- A clean, compact toggle icon in the top-left area
Advanced Viewer Controls
More options are available for special needs:
- Horizontal Scroll Bar adds a bottom scroll for wide documents.
- Hide Toolbar on the Right removes the upper-right toolbar for a cleaner feel.
- Enable Popup hides the embed and displays a button. When clicked, the PDF opens in a modal. We can set the button text, the initial page, and the starting zoom. This is helpful when we want a compact layout or a call to action before revealing the document.
- Add custom CSS classes for better control in site styling.
Global Settings and Presets
Preset Creation
Presets are a major time saver. Go to Settings, then Presets, and create a new preset with your preferred defaults. Give it a name, save it, and apply it to new PDFs as needed. We can still adjust settings per PDF in the block, which makes presets a strong starting point rather than a fixed rule.
Other Global Tools
- Custom CSS: Add site-wide styles for the viewer.
- Cloud API: Connect Dropbox, Google Drive, or an Adobe account for file access. If we plan to use Adobe’s embed service, we will need an API key.
- Gutenberg Shortcut Generator: Helps bring the block into the editor quickly. The slash command and plus icon work well with or without it.
A note from testing: the reset option in Quick Embed did not appear to change existing settings during our run. If we rely on reset, we should double-check the results after saving.
Styling and Extra Options
Style Tab Details
The Style tab lets us control layout and colors without custom CSS. We can adjust:
- Height/Width: Match the PDF frame to the page layout
- Button Colors: Set a button color like red, and a text color like black
- Padding and spacing for balanced layout
These controls are simple, and they make a noticeable difference in fit and readability.
Cloud and Integration Notes
We can connect to external storage for easier file management. There is also a Google Docs Viewer option, with a note that it only works with Microsoft Edge. The setting for Load Latest Version of the PDF suggests it fetches the newest file, likely to help with updated documents. We did not verify this behavior, so test it on staging if it matters to your workflow.
Potential Uses and Easy Workflow
Monetization Ideas
PDF Poster gives us a clean path to content control. We can show previews, restrict actions, and route access around membership or checkout flows.
Simple strategies:
- Offer a free preview, then restrict full access to members
- Allow online reading but restrict downloading for paid tiers
- Place protected PDFs inside membership pages or LMS lessons
Why It’s User-Friendly
Shortcodes, blocks, and presets make setup fast. The viewer is consistent and works with common WordPress setups. We tested on a basic block-based theme and saw no theme issues. In-dashboard demos help us understand the options in minutes. The whole experience feels made for site builders who want results without a long setup.
Conclusion
PDF Poster makes embedding PDFs in WordPress simple, flexible, and fast. We can manage viewer actions, set presets, and tailor embeds without extra tools. The built-in engine gives us a polished experience that beats default browser viewers. The docs are solid, and the product is easy to learn.
If you share PDFs on client sites or run content-heavy pages, PDF Poster belongs on your shortlist.