Sunday 7th September 2025

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Simple Steps to Convert Thunderbird Emails to PDF
Email Conversion, Export, File formats, How to, Solution, Thunderbird

Simple Steps to Convert Thunderbird Emails to PDF

Andrew Watson

Summary: A way to manage or store emails in PDF format has become crucial in today’s digital world. Many users use desktop-based email clients like Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook that store email in the application. When the email saved in these clients is not easy to open in PDF format. As we know, the PDF format can be accessed or opened anytime, anywhere, without needing an email client. In this situation, users want to convert their stored email client Thunderbird emails to PDF layout. This article will delve into many techniques to convert Thunderbird to PDF format. This blog also focused on the best solution, bulk conversion, and with that method, it preserved email data in PDF format. Let’s know the simple method to export Thunderbird emails into PDF.

Why Convert Thunderbird Emails to PDF?

One popular standard format to transfer documents is the Portable Document Format, or PDF. It gives you multiple benefits, such as archiving emails, open MBOX files without email client, securely transferring, and many more. PDF files work with all operating systems. It can be opened on virtually any device and operating system without the need for special software. This file is also highly secure and users can be password-protected to prevent unauthorized access. Furthermore, PDFs are easy to share and forward with colleagues, legal teams, or anyone else who needs to view them.

Export-Thunderbird-Emails-into-PDF

Common cases when converting Thunderbird emails to PDF:

  • Archiving: At times, asks for an indefinite email record for future use.
  • Legal Compliance: For additional security reasons, Thunderbird email is being moved because its non-editable format may be used in court.
  • Data Portability: Thunderbird emails can be accessed when you save emails in PDF format or switch email clients or devices.

Method 1: Try Print Function in Thunderbird (Single File)

This technique mostly uses the Windows OS built-in function “Print to PDF.”

  • Start Mozilla Thunderbird.
  • Choose emails and click the “more” button.
  • Use the Ctrl+P key or open the Print dialog.
  • Go to the print dialog and search for any “destination” or “printer dropdown.”
  • Use “Save as PDF” or utilize the “Microsoft Print to PDF.”
  • Now click on the save button and choose the location or filename of the PDF.

Method 2: Shift Tbird Mailbox to PDF by ImportExportTools NG Add-on

This technique allows users to convert bulk Thunderbird emails to PDF format. In this method, users cannot see the intact attachment within emails. They need to proceed with this method without attachments.

  • Open Thunderbird again.
  • Click on “Go to Tools > Add-ons.“
  • Search for or install “ImportExportTools NG” add-on in Thunderbird.
  • Restart Thunderbird once the add-on is installed.
  • Right-click and select folder in Thunderbird.
  • Choose “ImportExportTools NG.”
  • Use this option: “Export all messages in the folder.“
  • After this, select the “PDF” format.
  • Click “OK” to export emails.

Challenges of Thunderbird to PDF with Bulk Conversion

The need to convert Thunderbird emails to PDF is clear in the above-mentioned reasons. There can be several challenges in the conversion process. When you are dealing with a large volume of Thunderbird emails. Thunderbirds also comes with a limited built-in export feature. While you can print a single email to PDF, there is no native function to convert a full Thunderbird mailbox to PDF format in one go. The Manual method is not only time-consuming but also highly inefficient for exporting Thunderbird files into PDF format.

Using free method raises the chance of data loss or formatting problems within emails. When users use the cost-free solution to convert Thunderbird emails, then the important email details, such as headers, attachments, original email structure, etc., can be lost or distorted. The manual method highlights the need for a direct and reliable solution. Bulk conversion can be controlled by an experienced tool without sacrificing data integrity.

Direct & Pro Solution to Convert Thunderbird to PDF

If users are looking for a professional and efficient solution to convert Thunderbird emails to PDF in bulk, then try the BLR MBOX converter tool. This application makes the process simple for technical and non-technical users. This tool can handle bulk Thunderbird emails or folders at one time without any data size limitation. Some users didn’t face any hassle when they were trying to export emails from Thunderbird to PDF format. No multiple techniques or email client installation are needed to print Thunderbird emails into a PDF document. This tool can simply convert MBOX files to PDF that users get from Thunderbird.

How to print Thunderbird emails to PDF by software?

Note: Before using the BLR MBOX file converter, users need to take a Thunderbird email backup in (.mbox or .mbx) format because this tool cannot import a Thunderbird directory/profile. Use the ImportExportTools NG to import all emails from Thunderbird in MBOX format. Install the free trial of this software that converts the first 15 emails to PDF format without any charges.

download-free -software

  • Download and install the BLR MBOX email data converter.
  • Pick Thunderbird (.mbox) files or folders to the software.

select-thunderbird-mbox-files

  • Preview emails before moving to the next step.

preview-tbird-mbox-files

  • Choose PDF format.

choose-pdf-format

  • Apply filters such as date range, sender/receiver, naming conversion, remove duplicates, include or exclude attachments, etc.
  • Pick any location and click conversion.

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  • Await the process and verify that the PDF file is located on the desktop in the selected spot.

Attractive & Top-Notch Features in Pro Solution

  • Batch Conversion: With the software, users can convert bulk Thunderbird emails into PDF format.
  • Maintains Folder Hierarchy: The folder structure is maintained by this advanced tool. The application preserves the originality of files when users convert specific emails and attachments.
  • Preserves Attachments: Attachments are either embedded within the PDF. This tool can also include or exclude attachments before beginning conversion.
  • Saves Time: When anyone converts Thunderbird emails in bulk, it also reduces the time and effort that is wasted in the free method.
  • 100% Data Integrity: Another feature of this application is that it preserves all email attributes, including headers, formatting, metadata, etc., as the original email.
  • Easy & User-Friendly: The user interface is so intuitive that it can be used by any novice person if they want to export Thunderbird emails or folders. The program didn’t modify Thunderbird emails and offered a safe procedure.

Final Thoughts,

In this blog, users will learn the direct and simple method to convert Thunderbird emails to PDF with or without an email client. The first method is fully free; users just need to follow some steps and add-ons to export Thunderbird emails into PDF format. On the other hand, professionals only require a few steps to print Thunderbird MBOX emails into a PDF document format. If users have a bulk of Thunderbird emails, then they can use the expert software, and if they have a few emails, then they can use the free method. I hope this blog gives you complete knowledge about how to export Thunderbird emails or mailboxes to PDF format.