>Currently, we send out critical letters and we use PCL5 for formatting (e.g. bold, margins, etc.) We have customized templates that include the PCL5 and merge fields that VFP can replace items like name, address, etc.
>
>But, PCL5 is a PITA and not all printers support PCL5.
>
>In the past at a different shop I used West-Wind and GhostScript to create PDF files. But that was using the VFP report writer. What we have now is straight up text that is kind of marked up if you will. I think that we are stuck with the text and won't be able to use VFP report writer.
>
>Does anyone know what we can do to turn manipulated text strings into PDFs?

You can create the PDF yourself, try:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pdf+specification

Or create HTML and manipulate a browser control to a known PDF printer.

Or ask somebody with knowledge creating PDF's from VFP, for example Martina Jindrová, for professional help. Might be cheapest solution.