> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.handtextai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate PDF

> Generate a print-ready PDF (binary response) with optional prepress settings.

Use `POST /api/v1/generate` with `output_format: "pdf"`.

## Important differences vs PNG

* Response is **binary** `application/pdf` (not JSON).
* PDF has a **white background** (no transparency).

## Basic PDF example

```bash theme={null}
curl -sS https://api.handtextai.com/api/v1/generate \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer htext_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "text": "Hello from HandTextAI!",
    "font_id": 1,
    "font_size": "auto",
    "page_size": "letter",
    "dpi": 300,
    "output_format": "pdf",
    "pdf": { "preset": "generic" }
  }' \
  -o output.pdf
```

## PDF options (`pdf` object)

These options are accepted **only** when `output_format="pdf"`:

* `preset`: `generic` (default), `lob`, `click2mail`
* `standard`: `pdf` (default) or `pdfx1a` (CMYK PDF/X-1a:2001)
* `icc_profile`: `auto`, `gracol_2013`, `gracol_2006`, `pso_coated_v3`, `iso_coated_v2` (PDF/X-1a only)
* `profile`: `document`, `press`, `auto` (standard PDF only)
* `region`: `auto`, `us`, `eu`
* `bleed_mm`: override bleed (mm)
* `crop_box`: `media`, `bleed`, `trim`

## Provider presets

### Lob (strict preflight)

```json theme={null}
{
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": { "preset": "lob" }
}
```

### Click2Mail (portal-friendly)

```json theme={null}
{
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": { "preset": "click2mail" }
}
```