Nodejs PDF Generator libraries

share link

by aryaman@openweaver.com dot icon Updated: May 31, 2023

technology logo
technology logo

Guide Kit Guide Kit  

Node.js is a powerful runtime environment. It helps developers to run JavaScript on the server side. It provides a vast ecosystem of modules and libraries. It facilitates various tasks, including PDF generation. One similar use case is the creation of PDF documents using node.js and PDF generation libraries.  

  

Node.js is a versatile platform that enables server-side JavaScript execution. It provides access to PDF generation modules like PDFKit, jsPDF, and Puppeteer.  

  

PDFKit is a JavaScript PDF generation library. It offers a high-level API for creating PDF documents. It provides text formatting, image embedding, metadata management, and security options. It makes it suitable for generating invoices, reports, and printable documents.  

  

jsPDF is another popular PDF generation library for node.js. It allows converting HTML or plain text into PDF files. It supports various customization options, including page layout, fonts, and image embedding. It helps to generate complex documents or convert HTML templates to PDFs.  

  

Puppeteer is built on the headless Chrome browser. It enables the generation of PDFs from web pages or HTML content. It supports capturing screenshots, emulating user interactions, and printing to PDF. It makes it valuable for generating PDF reports or converting web pages to PDF format.  

  

Using these libraries, developers can create PDF documents by defining the document structure. Then by adding content like text, images, and tables. You can apply custom styling using HTML or a dedicated API.  

  

Node.js and the PDF generation libraries provide seamless integration with other modules. It allows data incorporation into the PDF from databases, APIs, and user inputs.  

  

These libraries support file formats, including HTML, Markdown, or custom markup languages. It provides developers flexibility in generating PDFs from different sources.  

  

We can integrate these libraries into projects using npm, the package manager. You can add the desired library as a dependency in the project's package.json file.  

  

These libraries leverage the power of modern browsers, DevTools Protocol, and headless Chrome. It provides robust PDF generation capabilities.  

  

When using PDF generation libraries, developers can use the vast node.js ecosystem. It includes Webpack or Browserify for bundling and optimizing the PDF generation code.  

  

In conclusion, node.js and PDF generation libraries provide developers with powerful tools. It helps create PDF documents programmatically. Whether generating reports or converting HTML to PDF, these libraries offer flexibility. They also offer customization options and seamless integration. It makes them valuable for developers seeking PDF generation capabilities.  

puppeteer:  

  • Leveraging the headless Chrome browser, Puppeteer enables the generation of PDFs.  
  • It helps render dynamic web content, including JavaScript-based interactivity. 
  • It supports capturing screenshots and generating PDFs from HTML templates.  

puppeteerby puppeteer

TypeScript doticonstar image 83627 doticonVersion:puppeteer-core-v20.7.1doticon
License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

Node.js API for Chrome

Support
    Quality
      Security
        License
          Reuse

            puppeteerby puppeteer

            TypeScript doticon star image 83627 doticonVersion:puppeteer-core-v20.7.1doticon License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

            Node.js API for Chrome
            Support
              Quality
                Security
                  License
                    Reuse

                      jsPDF:  

                      • With an API, jsPDF allows PDF creation in browser or server-side environments.  
                      • It supports text, images, and basic formatting. 
                      • It makes it ideal for generating simple reports, forms, or certificates.  

                      jsPDFby parallax

                      JavaScript doticonstar image 26680 doticonVersion:v2.5.1doticon
                      License: Permissive (MIT)

                      Client-side JavaScript PDF generation for everyone.

                      Support
                        Quality
                          Security
                            License
                              Reuse

                                jsPDFby parallax

                                JavaScript doticon star image 26680 doticonVersion:v2.5.1doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                Client-side JavaScript PDF generation for everyone.
                                Support
                                  Quality
                                    Security
                                      License
                                        Reuse

                                          pdfkit:

                                          • This powerful and flexible library helps in generating PDF documents with content types. 
                                          • It supports complex layouts, custom fonts, and encryption. 
                                          • It makes it suitable for creating reports, invoices, and marketing materials.  

                                          pdfkitby foliojs

                                          JavaScript doticonstar image 8793 doticonVersion:v0.13.0doticon
                                          License: Permissive (MIT)

                                          A JavaScript PDF generation library for Node and the browser

                                          Support
                                            Quality
                                              Security
                                                License
                                                  Reuse

                                                    pdfkitby foliojs

                                                    JavaScript doticon star image 8793 doticonVersion:v0.13.0doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                    A JavaScript PDF generation library for Node and the browser
                                                    Support
                                                      Quality
                                                        Security
                                                          License
                                                            Reuse

                                                              pdf-lib:  

                                                              • This library provides various functionalities for creating and modifying PDF documents.  
                                                              • It supports merging PDF files, adding annotations, extracting text, and signing PDFs. 
                                                              • It enables the creation of complex and interactive documents.  

                                                              pdf-libby Hopding

                                                              TypeScript doticonstar image 5219 doticonVersion:v1.17.1doticon
                                                              License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                              Create and modify PDF documents in any JavaScript environment

                                                              Support
                                                                Quality
                                                                  Security
                                                                    License
                                                                      Reuse

                                                                        pdf-libby Hopding

                                                                        TypeScript doticon star image 5219 doticonVersion:v1.17.1doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                        Create and modify PDF documents in any JavaScript environment
                                                                        Support
                                                                          Quality
                                                                            Security
                                                                              License
                                                                                Reuse

                                                                                  hummusRecipe:  

                                                                                  • Designed for high-performance PDF generation, HummusJS allows direct manipulation of PDF files.  
                                                                                  • It offers features like adding images, text, annotations, merging, splitting, and encrypting PDFs.  
                                                                                  • It is suitable for scenarios that need low-level control over PDF creation.  

                                                                                  hummusRecipeby chunyenHuang

                                                                                  JavaScript doticonstar image 339 doticonVersion:v1.9.7doticon
                                                                                  License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                  A powerful PDF tool for NodeJS based on HummusJS.

                                                                                  Support
                                                                                    Quality
                                                                                      Security
                                                                                        License
                                                                                          Reuse

                                                                                            hummusRecipeby chunyenHuang

                                                                                            JavaScript doticon star image 339 doticonVersion:v1.9.7doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                            A powerful PDF tool for NodeJS based on HummusJS.
                                                                                            Support
                                                                                              Quality
                                                                                                Security
                                                                                                  License
                                                                                                    Reuse

                                                                                                      phantom-pdf:  

                                                                                                      • As a versatile PDF library, PhantomPDF supports both server-side and client-side PDF generation.  
                                                                                                      • It provides extensive features, including document conversion, form filling, and PDF manipulation. 
                                                                                                      • It helps cater use cases such as generating contracts, agreements, or legal documents.  

                                                                                                      phantom-pdfby jnutter

                                                                                                      JavaScript doticonstar image 18 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                      License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                      PDF Generation for Node.js using handlebars and less

                                                                                                      Support
                                                                                                        Quality
                                                                                                          Security
                                                                                                            License
                                                                                                              Reuse

                                                                                                                phantom-pdfby jnutter

                                                                                                                JavaScript doticon star image 18 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                                PDF Generation for Node.js using handlebars and less
                                                                                                                Support
                                                                                                                  Quality
                                                                                                                    Security
                                                                                                                      License
                                                                                                                        Reuse

                                                                                                                          fpdf:  

                                                                                                                          • FPDF is a lightweight and efficient library. 
                                                                                                                          • It helps generate PDF documents in PHP, with Node.js ports available.  
                                                                                                                          • It offers text and image support for scenarios requiring generating receipts or certificates.  

                                                                                                                          fpdfby platdesign

                                                                                                                          JavaScript doticonstar image 13 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                          no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                                          Create PDF-Files in the browser

                                                                                                                          Support
                                                                                                                            Quality
                                                                                                                              Security
                                                                                                                                License
                                                                                                                                  Reuse

                                                                                                                                    fpdfby platdesign

                                                                                                                                    JavaScript doticon star image 13 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                                    Create PDF-Files in the browser
                                                                                                                                    Support
                                                                                                                                      Quality
                                                                                                                                        Security
                                                                                                                                          License
                                                                                                                                            Reuse

                                                                                                                                              pdfshift-node:  

                                                                                                                                              • PDFShift is another cloud-based PDF generation service. 
                                                                                                                                              • It converts HTML or web pages into PDF documents.  
                                                                                                                                              • It supports dynamic content, JavaScript execution, and CSS styling. It enables the generation of PDFs from web content, reports, or online documentation.  

                                                                                                                                              pdfshift-nodeby pdfshift

                                                                                                                                              JavaScript doticonstar image 6 doticonVersion:v1.0.5doticon
                                                                                                                                              License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                              PDFShift Node Package

                                                                                                                                              Support
                                                                                                                                                Quality
                                                                                                                                                  Security
                                                                                                                                                    License
                                                                                                                                                      Reuse

                                                                                                                                                        pdfshift-nodeby pdfshift

                                                                                                                                                        JavaScript doticon star image 6 doticonVersion:v1.0.5doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                        PDFShift Node Package
                                                                                                                                                        Support
                                                                                                                                                          Quality
                                                                                                                                                            Security
                                                                                                                                                              License
                                                                                                                                                                Reuse

                                                                                                                                                                  FAQ 

                                                                                                                                                                  1. What is a JavaScript PDF, and which Node library can generate it?  

                                                                                                                                                                  A JavaScript PDF is a PDF document generated using JavaScript code. One popular Node library for generating JavaScript PDFs is PDFKit.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  2. How does Vitepress create HTML documents, Markdown files, and HTML templates?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Vitepress utilizes this library to create HTML documents, Markdown files, and HTML templates. It leverages its capabilities to convert the provided content into PDF format.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  3. Which are the most popular PDF libraries for Nodejs pdf generator library?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Some popular PDF libraries include PDFKit, jsPDF, and Puppeteer. These libraries offer various features, customization options, and support for generating PDF documents.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  4. How do I use a Node library to convert an HTML document into a printable document?  

                                                                                                                                                                  To convert an HTML document into a printable document, you can use libraries like PDFKit. These libraries allow you to define the document's structure. It helps add content from the HTML document and generate a printable PDF output.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  5. Is an invoice generator compatible with the Nodejs pdf generator library?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Yes, there are invoice generators compatible with Node.js pdf generator libraries. Libraries provide the necessary features and flexibility to generate invoices programmatically. Developers can define the invoice's structure and content. They use the library's capabilities to generate the PDF output.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  6. Can we use HTML templates with the Nodejs pdf generator library?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Yes, we can use HTML templates can with Node.js pdf generator libraries. We can customize these templates and filled with data to generate PDF documents. Some libraries support the integration of HTML templates. It allows developers to generate PDFs with predefined layouts and styles.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  7. Can we convert Markdown files into PDFs using the Nodejs pdf generator library?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Yes, we convert Markdown files into PDFs using Node.js pdf generator libraries. Some libraries help parse Markdown files and convert them into PDF format. Developers can define the styling, layout, and content based on the Markdown input.