Should I buy prints or should I buy PDF, and what is a PDF?

Five sets of prints will often do for the construction of a house.  Permitting departments generally require two or three copies for permitting, but this does vary, so check beforehand.  A PDF is a digital copy that can be printed locally at any print shop or Kinkos.  It will emailed to you, which can then be emailed to the printer and the various builders and subs.  You can make as many copies as you need to complete your project.  You are given a copyright release for printing as well as making custom changes.  The base PDF package is for building the plan one time, however you have the option to buy a license to build the plan as many times as you like.