Generating PDF Documents with PHP Libraries

PHP can create PDF files through specialized Composer libraries; HTML-to-PDF tools and programmatic PDF libraries have different layout capabilities.

What It Does

Install the renderer as an application dependency. Render trusted HTML and save the generated PDF bytes.

Requirements and Compatibility

Use a supported PHP runtime and install any third-party tool or extension explicitly shown in the examples. Commands should be run from the project root unless stated otherwise.

Syntax, Inputs and Results

The examples separate configuration, the smallest working operation and a realistic follow-up task. Adapt file paths and dependency versions to your own project.

Example 1: Basic Use

Install the renderer as an application dependency.

composer require dompdf/dompdf

Example 2: Another Case

Render trusted HTML and save the generated PDF bytes.

<?php
require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php';
$pdf = new Dompdf\Dompdf();
$pdf->loadHtml('<h1>Invoice</h1><p>Order #42</p>');
$pdf->setPaper('A4');
$pdf->render();
file_put_contents(__DIR__ . '/invoice.pdf', $pdf->output());

Practical Example

Escape data before composing the HTML passed to the renderer.

<?php
$customerName = '<Alice & Co>';
$html = '<p>Customer: ' . htmlspecialchars($customerName, ENT_QUOTES | ENT_SUBSTITUTE, 'UTF-8') . '</p>';
echo $html;

For production, apply the compatibility and edge-case limits described below.

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

Never render untrusted HTML into a PDF without sanitization and resource limits. Complex CSS and fonts may not be supported by every library.

Comparison with Related Functions and Tools

Subject	Key difference
GD vs Imagick	GD is a lightweight pixel API; Imagick depends on ImageMagick and supports other transformations and formats.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake	Correct approach
Trusting upload MIME declarations alone	Decode the file with an approved decoder and cap bytes and pixel dimensions.
Skipping the prerequisite of this specific workflow	Install or configure the named tool and confirm the example can actually run.
Ignoring edge conditions	Never render untrusted HTML into a PDF without sanitization and resource limits. Complex CSS and fonts may not be supported by every library.

Key Takeaways

PHP can create PDF files through specialized Composer libraries; HTML-to-PDF tools and programmatic PDF libraries have different layout capabilities.
Never render untrusted HTML into a PDF without sanitization and resource limits. Complex CSS and fonts may not be supported by every library.
Keep application configuration, source code and validation tests under version control.

Use these examples as a starting point, then validate the result with the actual PHP build, dependencies and inputs used by your application.