I do agree with not installing it by default. When a person installs the OS interactively via either a GUI or curses interface there should be categories they can select for how they wish to use the OS. If they select "Printing" then CUPS should be installed and only after selecting that category.

I do not agree that cups should not be built into a Linux distribution. People should have the option to use it if they wish, just not installed by default. The related packages should be on the installation media and servers.

Would I be able to print to PDF without cups?