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Package pdf
Short Description Lightweight, zero-dependency and fast PDF generator for PHP 8.1+. Fluent & semantic API with high-level Document and low-level Pdf layers.
License MIT
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Informations about the package pdf
arabel/pdf
Lightweight · Zero-Dependency · Fast — PDF generation for PHP 8.1+
Generate PDFs with a fluent, semantic API — no mPDF, no dompdf, no TCPDF bloat.
Two layers: a high-level Document API for reports and invoices, and a low-level Pdf API for pixel-perfect control.
Work in progress. The API is functional and tested, but breaking changes may occur before v1.0.
Why arabel/pdf?
Most PHP PDF libraries are either too heavy (mPDF, TCPDF ship megabytes of dependencies) or too low-level (raw PDF forces you to think in millimetres for everything).
arabel/pdf gives you the best of both worlds:
| arabel/pdf | mPDF | dompdf | TCPDF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependencies | 0 | Many | Many | Some |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Fluent API | ✅ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| PHP 8.1+ native | ✅ | Partial | Partial | ✗ |
| Package size | ~100 KB | > 10 MB | Large | Large |
Based on community benchmarks and package sizes. Formal benchmarks coming in v1.0.
Installation
Requirements: PHP 8.1+ · Extensions zlib and iconv (both enabled by default in most environments) · GD for PNG images with alpha channel
Two layers
Start with Document — no millimetres, no cursor math.
Drop down to Pdf via $doc->raw() when you need exact positioning.
Document API
Basic example
Named headers and footers
Define repeatable headers and footers once — they are applied automatically on every addPage().
Multiple named variants let you use different headers for different sections.
Automatic page break
Content never overlaps the footer. Before rendering each element, the Document measures its height and triggers a new page automatically if it would exceed the safe area.
Grid layout — row / col
The page is divided into a 12-column grid. Use col($span) to define how many
columns a block occupies (1–12).
Images in columns
Use col()->image() to embed a JPEG or PNG directly inside the grid.
Height is auto-calculated from the image's aspect ratio — pass an explicit $h (mm) to override.
PNG files with alpha channel are supported: the alpha layer is composited against white.
Tables
widths(), align(), and tr() can be called in any order — rendering is deferred to endTable().
Colspan — merge cells across columns:
Colored panels
Background is measured and drawn before text — no coordinate math required.
DocumentStyle
Document methods reference
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
setMargins(l, t, r, b) |
Override default 15 mm margins — call before addPage() |
addPage('P'\|'L', $header) |
New page — portrait or landscape, optional named header |
setHeader(string $name = 'default') |
Register a named header → Header |
setFooter(string $name = 'default') |
Register a named footer → Footer |
h1(string) |
Large heading |
h2(string) |
Section heading |
p(string) |
Body paragraph |
b(string) |
Bold paragraph |
i(string) |
Italic paragraph |
bi(string) |
Bold + italic paragraph |
hr() |
Horizontal rule |
spacer(float $mm = 6) |
Vertical blank space |
row() |
Open a 12-column grid row → Row |
col(int)->image(file, h) |
Embed image in a column — auto height from aspect ratio |
table(array $headers) |
Open a table → Table |
panel() |
Open a colored content block → Panel |
output(string, string) |
Finalize and output the PDF |
raw() |
Access the underlying Pdf instance |
getCursorY() |
Current Y position in mm |
colX(int $startSpan) |
X coordinate of a grid column — use with raw() |
colW(int $span) |
Width of N grid columns — use with raw() |
Pdf API
Use Pdf directly when you need pixel-precise control.
All mutating methods return static — the full API is fluent.
Pdf methods reference
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
addPage('P'\|'L') |
New page |
setFont(family, size, style) |
Set font family, size in pt, style ('B', 'I', 'BI') |
setTextColor(r, g, b) |
Text colour (0–255 per channel) |
setFillColor(r, g, b) |
Fill colour for cells and rects |
setDrawColor(r, g, b) |
Stroke colour for borders and lines |
setLineWidth(float) |
Line thickness in mm |
setMargins(l, t, r, b) |
Page margins in mm |
setXY(x, y) |
Move cursor to absolute position (mm) |
getX() / getY() |
Current cursor position in mm |
getStringWidth(string) |
Measure string width in mm |
text(x, y, string) |
Print text at absolute position |
cell(w, h, text, border, ln, align) |
Render a cell, advance cursor |
rect(x, y, w, h, style) |
Draw a rectangle |
line(x1, y1, x2, y2) |
Draw a line |
image(file, x, y, w, h) |
Embed a JPEG or PNG image |
output(name, dest) |
Finalize and output the PDF |
output() destinations
| Dest | Behaviour |
|---|---|
'D' |
Force browser download (default) |
'I' |
Open inline in browser |
'F' |
Save to file ($name = full path) |
'S' |
Return raw PDF bytes as string |
Mixing both layers
Roadmap to v1.0
- [x] Fluent Document API (row/col grid, tables, headings)
- [x] Bold / italic font support with dynamic font registry
- [x] Document style customization (
DocumentStyle) - [x] Text wrapping in
col(), tables, and Document methods - [x] Table column alignment and colspan
- [x] Colored panels (
panel()) - [x] Named repeatable headers and footers
- [x] Automatic page break before footer safe area
- [x] Fluent
DocumentStyleconfigurators (h1/h2/p()) - [ ] Table helper for totals rows
- [ ]
money()/date()formatting helpers - [x] PNG with alpha channel / logo support (
col()->image(), auto aspect ratio) - [ ] Expanded test coverage and official benchmarks
License
MIT © Arabel
⭐ If you find this useful, a star goes a long way.
Issues, feedback, and PRs are very welcome.
All versions of pdf with dependencies
ext-zlib Version *
ext-iconv Version *