Getting Started with HTML to PDF API

Converting HTML to PDF has never been easier. With HTMLtoPDF.ac, you can transform any HTML content into professional PDF documents in milliseconds. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Why Use an HTML to PDF API?

Before diving in, let's understand why you might need an HTML to PDF conversion service:

• Consistency: Generate PDFs with consistent formatting across all devices and browsers
• Automation: Automate document generation in your applications
• Scalability: Handle thousands of conversions without managing infrastructure
• Quality: Produce high-quality PDFs with pixel-perfect rendering

Step 1: Sign Up and Get Your API Key

First, you'll need to create an account and generate an API key:

1. Visit HTMLtoPDF.ac and sign up
2. Verify your email address
3. Navigate to your dashboard
4. Generate a new API key

Your API key will look like: htpdf_xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxImportant: Keep your API key secure and never expose it in client-side code.

Step 2: Make Your First Request

Here's a simple example using cURL:

curl -X POST https://api.htmltopdf.ac/api/convert \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR<em class='italic'>API</em>KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "html": "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is my first PDF!</p>"
  }'

The response will be a PDF file that you can save or display.

Step 3: Using with Different Languages

JavaScript/Node.js

const response = await fetch('https://api.htmltopdf.ac/api/convert', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR<em class='italic'>API</em>KEY',
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    html: '<h1>Hello World</h1>'
  })
});
const pdfBlob = await response.blob();
// Save or use the PDF blob

Python

import requests
response = requests.post(
    'https://api.htmltopdf.ac/api/convert',
    headers={
        'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR<em class='italic'>API</em>KEY',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    json={
        'html': '<h1>Hello World</h1>'
    }
)
with open('output.pdf', 'wb') as f:
    f.write(response.content)

Advanced Options

The API supports many customization options:

• Page Size: A4, Letter, Legal, and more
• Orientation: Portrait or landscape
• Margins: Custom margins for all sides
• Headers & Footers: Add custom headers and footers
• Background Graphics: Include background images and colors

Example with options:

{
  "html": "<h1>Document</h1>",
  "options": {
    "format": "A4",
    "landscape": false,
    "margin": {
      "top": "20mm",
      "right": "20mm",
      "bottom": "20mm",
      "left": "20mm"
    },
    "printBackground": true
  }
}

Best Practices

1. Cache Results: If generating the same PDF multiple times, cache the result
2. Error Handling: Always handle API errors gracefully
3. Rate Limits: Be aware of your plan's rate limits
4. HTML Validation: Ensure your HTML is valid before sending
5. Async Processing: Use async/await for better performance

Common Use Cases

• Invoice Generation: Create professional invoices from HTML templates
• Report Generation: Convert data visualizations to PDF reports
• Document Archiving: Save web content as PDFs for archival
• Email Attachments: Generate PDF attachments for emails
• Legal Documents: Create contracts and legal documents

Next Steps

• Check out our API Documentation for complete reference
• Explore our Playground to test conversions
• Read more blog posts for advanced techniques

Ready to get started? Sign up today and get 100 free conversions per month!