Local Export for GmailChoose Gmail Print for a message or conversation PDF. Choose Google Takeout for a mailbox archive. Choose Local Export for Gmail when you want selected conversations as separate PDFs and their original attachments together in one ZIP.
What each method gives you
| Your goal | A suitable method | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Read or print one conversation | Gmail Print all | Choose Save as PDF in Chrome. Save original attachment files separately. |
| Keep several selected conversations with files | Local Export for Gmail | One chronological PDF per conversation, separate original attachments and an export report in a ZIP. |
| Archive a mailbox or prepare to migrate it | Google Takeout | A Google data archive. Gmail mail data uses MBOX; it is not a ready-made set of conversation PDFs. |
| Merge attached documents into a single PDF | A separate PDF merging workflow | Local Export keeps attachments in their original formats, alongside the conversation PDF. |
When Gmail’s built-in Print is enough
If you need a readable PDF of a single conversation and there are no original files to collect, start with Gmail’s built-in option. Open the conversation, choose Print all, and select Save as PDF in Chrome’s print dialog. For one message, open that message’s More menu and choose Print. Google documents both paths in its Gmail printing instructions.
The PDF records the printed conversation. Original attachments such as a spreadsheet, receipt PDF or project ZIP remain files you need to download separately. If you only do this occasionally, the manual approach may be all you need.
When Google Takeout is a better fit
For a mailbox archive, use Google Takeout. Select Mail, choose the available data options and delivery method, and create the export. Google explains the archive flow in Download your Google data. Gmail exports use the MBOX mail format, which is useful for email archiving and tools that can import MBOX.
A mailbox archive serves a different job from a small set of readable PDFs. Creating PDF copies from an MBOX archive requires another tool or conversion step. Local Export does not import Takeout archives, replace a mailbox backup or promise an unlimited export.
When a selected PDF export saves work
Local Export for Gmail is useful when a set of invoice conversations, client approvals or project handovers needs to stay readable while its original files remain usable. In desktop Chrome, find the conversations in Gmail, select their checkboxes, click Export selected and then Export ZIP. The ZIP groups each conversation PDF with its files, so you do not have to pair separate downloads manually.
Free exports support up to 3 conversations per batch with no watermark or daily quota. Pro is €29 once for up to 50 conversations per batch on 2 active browsers. Both plans retain the same 200-email, 100 MiB source-content-plus-images and 200 MiB final-ZIP limits. Read the exact limits.
A Gmail search finds conversations; it does not trim the exported conversation to matching messages. If you search for a date or attachment type, the export can still contain other replies in that selected thread. Review the conversation before sharing it. See how to choose and export a batch.
Privacy and file details to check
Local Export prepares emails on your device and does not upload message bodies or attachments to Sami Studio. It uses your existing Gmail browser session, with the extension permissions Chrome lists during installation. Signed-in Gmail and internet access are still required; external images can load through Google’s Gmail image proxy. Payment and licensing are separate server requests. Read the data flow.
Original attachments stay separate from the PDF. Supported inline images can render inside it; unavailable pictures are reported. The export report lists original names, sizes and SHA-256 checksums. These checksums help check file consistency, but the export is not a certified evidence or forensic archive. Fonts and complex layouts may differ from Gmail.
Inspect a sample ZIP from the actual app, made with synthetic example emails, before choosing a method. For image-specific questions, read inline images and original attachments.