PHPackages arabel/pdf - PHPackages - PHPackages [Skip to content](#main-content)[PHPackages](/)[Directory](/)[Categories](/categories)[Trending](/trending)[Leaderboard](/leaderboard)[Changelog](/changelog)[Analyze](/analyze)[Collections](/collections)[Log in](/login)[Sign up](/register) 1. [Directory](/) 2. / 3. [PDF & Document Generation](/categories/documents) 4. / 5. arabel/pdf ActiveLibrary[PDF & Document Generation](/categories/documents) arabel/pdf ========== Lightweight, zero-dependency and fast PDF generator for PHP 8.1+. Fluent & semantic API with high-level Document and low-level Pdf layers. v0.6.0(3mo ago)06MITPHPPHP >=8.1 Since Apr 10Pushed 2mo agoCompare [ Source](https://github.com/memphis90/arabel-pdf)[ Packagist](https://packagist.org/packages/arabel/pdf)[ RSS](/packages/arabel-pdf/feed)WikiDiscussions main Synced 1w ago READMEChangelog (4)DependenciesVersions (7)Used By (0) arabel/pdf ========== [](#arabelpdf) **Lightweight · Zero-Dependency · Fast** — PDF generation for PHP 8.1+ [![PHP Version](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/c0761d101b201f2531c8037e6264420e2e43705d3776a9fcfb70c8cf3d3563a3/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f5048502d382e312532422d3737374242342e737667)](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/c0761d101b201f2531c8037e6264420e2e43705d3776a9fcfb70c8cf3d3563a3/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f5048502d382e312532422d3737374242342e737667)[![Downloads](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/05b0fd120ea75e8607817e80fba99b8fa60f2cf2668f7ba6b502fc95072c0180/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f7061636b61676973742f64742f61726162656c2f706466)](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/05b0fd120ea75e8607817e80fba99b8fa60f2cf2668f7ba6b502fc95072c0180/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f7061636b61676973742f64742f61726162656c2f706466)[![License](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/64aeacdc189b08b5310841e8cfe2e607d404919dbf8de6d9dfbefaf069ce9851/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f7061636b61676973742f6c2f61726162656c2f706466)](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/64aeacdc189b08b5310841e8cfe2e607d404919dbf8de6d9dfbefaf069ce9851/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f7061636b61676973742f6c2f61726162656c2f706466) 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? --------------- [](#why-arabelpdf) 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/pdfmPDFdompdfTCPDFDependencies0ManyManySomeSpeed⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Fluent API✅Partial✗✗PHP 8.1+ native✅PartialPartial✗Package size**~100 KB**> 10 MBLargeLarge*Based on community benchmarks and package sizes. Formal benchmarks coming in v1.0.* --- Installation ------------ [](#installation) ``` composer require arabel/pdf ``` **Requirements:** PHP 8.1+ · Extensions `zlib` and `iconv` (both enabled by default in most environments) · `GD` for PNG images with alpha channel --- Two layers ---------- [](#two-layers) ``` ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Document — high-level, recommended │ │ row / col / h1 / h2 / p / table... │ └──────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ │ delegates to ┌──────────────────▼───────────────────────┐ │ Pdf — low-level, mm-precise │ │ cell / text / rect / line / image... │ └──────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` Start with **Document** — no millimetres, no cursor math. Drop down to **Pdf** via `$doc->raw()` when you need exact positioning. --- Document API ------------ [](#document-api) ### Basic example [](#basic-example) ``` use Arabel\Pdf\Document; use Arabel\Pdf\DocumentStyle; $style = new DocumentStyle(); $style->h1(22, [15, 55, 120], 'B', 12) ->h2(12, [15, 55, 120], 'B', 8) ->p(9, [60, 60, 60], '', 5.5); $doc = new Document('Helvetica', $style); $doc->addPage() ->h1('Monthly Report') ->h2('Sales — April 2026') ->hr() ->spacer() ->p('Summary of current month sales compared to the previous period.') ->output('report.pdf', 'F'); ``` ### Named headers and footers [](#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. ``` // Default header — applied to every addPage() $doc->setHeader() ->bg([15, 55, 120]) ->fg([255, 255, 255]) ->left('ARABEL SRL', 'Software & Digital Products') ->right('FATTURA', '# INV-2026-0042') ->height(22); // Named header — applied explicitly $doc->setHeader('allegato') ->bg([15, 55, 120]) ->fg([255, 255, 255]) ->left('ALLEGATO A — Dettaglio attività', 'Fattura INV-2026-0042'); // Footer with page number $doc->setFooter() ->left('Arabel Srl — P.IVA IT09876543210') ->right('Pagina {page}'); $doc->addPage(); // → 'default' header + footer $doc->addPage('P', 'allegato'); // → 'allegato' header + footer $doc->addPage('P', false); // → no header, footer only ``` ### Automatic page break [](#automatic-page-break) Content never overlaps the footer. Before rendering each element, the Document measures its height and triggers a new page automatically if it would exceed the safe area. ### Grid layout — row / col [](#grid-layout--row--col) The page is divided into a **12-column grid**. Use `col($span)` to define how many columns a block occupies (1–12). ``` $doc->addPage() ->h1('Dashboard') ->spacer() ->row() ->col(8)->p('Left side — takes 8 of 12 columns.') ->col(4)->h2('€ 24,500') ->endRow() ->row() ->col(4)->h2('142 PDFs') ->col(4)->h2('38 upgrades') ->col(4)->h2('94% satisfaction') ->endRow() ->row() ->col(4)->p('generated this month') ->col(4)->p('Free → Pro conversions') ->col(4)->p('satisfaction index') ->endRow() ->output('dashboard.pdf', 'F'); ``` ### Images in columns [](#images-in-columns) Use `col()->image()` to embed a JPEG or PNG directly inside the grid. Height is auto-calculated from the image's aspect ratio — pass an explicit `$h` (mm) to override. PNG files with alpha channel are supported: the alpha layer is composited against white. ``` $doc->row() ->col(3)->image('logo.png') // auto height from aspect ratio ->col(3)->image('badge.png', 20) // forced 20 mm height ->col(6)->h1('Company Name') ->endRow(); ``` ### Tables [](#tables) ``` $doc->addPage() ->h1('Product List') ->spacer() ->table(['Product', 'Category', 'Qty', 'Revenue']) ->widths([3, 2, 1, 1]) ->align(['L', 'L', 'C', 'R']) ->tr(['Arabel PDF', 'Library', '142', '€ 0']) ->tr(['Arabel Builder', 'Tool', '38', '€ 1,862']) ->tr(['Arabel Suite', 'Bundle', '12', '€ 2,388']) ->endTable() ->output('products.pdf', 'F'); ``` `widths()`, `align()`, and `tr()` can be called in **any order** — rendering is deferred to `endTable()`. **Colspan** — merge cells across columns: ``` ->table(['Descrizione', 'Qty', 'Prezzo', 'IVA', 'Totale']) ->tr(['Arabel PDF', '1', '€ 49,00', '22%', '€ 59,78']) ->tr([ ['text' => 'Subtotale:', 'colspan' => 4, 'align' => 'R'], ['text' => '€ 59,78', 'align' => 'R'], ]) ->endTable() ``` ### Colored panels [](#colored-panels) ``` $doc->panel() ->bg([15, 55, 120]) ->fg([255, 255, 255]) ->padding(5) ->h2('TOTALE FATTURA:') ->b('€ 13.344,36') ->endPanel(); ``` Background is measured and drawn before text — no coordinate math required. ### DocumentStyle [](#documentstyle) ``` $style = new DocumentStyle(); // Fluent configurators (recommended) $style->h1(22, [15, 55, 120], 'B', 12) ->h2(12, [15, 55, 120], 'B', 8) ->p(9, [60, 60, 60], '', 5.5); // Table style $style->tableHeadBg = [15, 55, 120]; $style->tableHeadFg = [255, 255, 255]; $style->tableAltBg = [235, 241, 255]; $style->tableRowH = 7.0; $style->tableLineH = 5.0; ``` ### Document methods reference [](#document-methods-reference) MethodDescription`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 ------- [](#pdf-api) Use `Pdf` directly when you need pixel-precise control. ``` use Arabel\Pdf\Pdf; $pdf = new Pdf(); $pdf->addPage() ->setFont('Helvetica', 14) ->setTextColor(41, 98, 255) ->text(20, 30, 'Hello from Pdf') ->setFillColor(240, 240, 240) ->cell(100, 10, 'Cell with border', 1, 1, 'C') ->setDrawColor(180, 0, 0) ->line(10, 60, 200, 60) ->image('logo.png', 10, 70, 40) ->output('output.pdf', 'F'); ``` All mutating methods return `static` — the full API is fluent. ### Pdf methods reference [](#pdf-methods-reference) MethodDescription`addPage('P'|'L')`New page`setFont(family, size, style)`Set font family, size in pt, style ('B', 'I', 'BI')`setTextColor(r, g, b)`Text colour (0–255 per channel)`setFillColor(r, g, b)`Fill colour for cells and rects`setDrawColor(r, g, b)`Stroke colour for borders and lines`setLineWidth(float)`Line thickness in mm`setMargins(l, t, r, b)`Page margins in mm`setXY(x, y)`Move cursor to absolute position (mm)`getX() / getY()`Current cursor position in mm`getStringWidth(string)`Measure string width in mm`text(x, y, string)`Print text at absolute position`cell(w, h, text, border, ln, align)`Render a cell, advance cursor`rect(x, y, w, h, style)`Draw a rectangle`line(x1, y1, x2, y2)`Draw a line`image(file, x, y, w, h)`Embed a JPEG or PNG image`output(name, dest)`Finalize and output the PDF### `output()` destinations [](#output-destinations) DestBehaviour`'D'`Force browser download (default)`'I'`Open inline in browser`'F'`Save to file (`$name` = full path)`'S'`Return raw PDF bytes as string--- Mixing both layers ------------------ [](#mixing-both-layers) ``` $doc = new Document(); $doc->addPage() ->h1('Invoice #1042'); // Drop to Pdf for a precise watermark $doc->raw() ->setFont('Helvetica', 60) ->setTextColor(230, 230, 230) ->text(25, 120, 'DRAFT'); // Back to Document $doc->spacer() ->table(['Description', 'Amount']) ->tr(['Consulting', '€ 800']) ->endTable() ->output('invoice.pdf', 'F'); ``` --- Roadmap to v1.0 --------------- [](#roadmap-to-v10) - Fluent Document API (row/col grid, tables, headings) - Bold / italic font support with dynamic font registry - Document style customization (`DocumentStyle`) - Text wrapping in `col()`, tables, and Document methods - Table column alignment and colspan - Colored panels (`panel()`) - Named repeatable headers and footers - Automatic page break before footer safe area - Fluent `DocumentStyle` configurators (`h1/h2/p()`) - Table helper for totals rows - `money()` / `date()` formatting helpers - PNG with alpha channel / logo support (`col()->image()`, auto aspect ratio) - Expanded test coverage and official benchmarks --- License ------- [](#license) MIT © [Arabel](https://arabel.dev) --- ⭐ If you find this useful, a star goes a long way. Issues, feedback, and PRs are very welcome. ### Health Score 34 — LowBetter than 75% of packages Maintenance83 Actively maintained with recent releases Popularity5 Limited adoption so far Community6 Small or concentrated contributor base Maturity37 Early-stage or recently created project Bus Factor1 Top contributor holds 100% of commits — single point of failure How is this calculated?**Maintenance (25%)** — Last commit recency, latest release date, and issue-to-star ratio. Uses a 2-year decay window. **Popularity (30%)** — Total and monthly downloads, GitHub stars, and forks. Logarithmic scaling prevents top-heavy scores. **Community (15%)** — Contributors, dependents, forks, watchers, and maintainers. Measures real ecosystem engagement. **Maturity (30%)** — Project age, version count, PHP version support, and release stability. ### Release Activity Cadence Every ~0 days Total 6 Last Release 103d ago ### Community Maintainers ![](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/126269622?v=4)[Alessio](/maintainers/memphis90)[@memphis90](https://github.com/memphis90) --- Top Contributors [![memphis90](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/126269622?v=4)](https://github.com/memphis90 "memphis90 (18 commits)") --- Tags pdffluentreportPDF GENERATORlightweightdocumentphp8no-dependenciesphp81zero-dependencyfast-pdf ### Embed Badge ![Health badge](/badges/arabel-pdf/health.svg) ``` [![Health](https://phpackages.com/badges/arabel-pdf/health.svg)](https://phpackages.com/packages/arabel-pdf) ``` ### Alternatives [tecnickcom/tc-lib-pdf PHP PDF Library 1.9k539.9k16](/packages/tecnickcom-tc-lib-pdf)[jimmyjs/laravel-report-generator Rapidly Generate Simple Pdf & Excel Report on Laravel 5 (Using Barryvdh/DomPdf or Barryvdh/laravel-snappy & maatwebsite/excel) 577165.5k1](/packages/jimmyjs-laravel-report-generator)[omaralalwi/gpdf Custom PDF wrapper supporting Arabic language 15521.6k](/packages/omaralalwi-gpdf)[quilhasoft/jasperphp Pure PHP library to read JRXML files made with 'JasperSoft Studio' and generate reports in PDF 7744.6k1](/packages/quilhasoft-jasperphp)[rockett/weasyprint A feature-rich WeasyPrint wrapper for generating PDFs from HTML and CSS, with support for PDF/A, PDF/UA, attachments, and optional Laravel integration. 30224.7k](/packages/rockett-weasyprint)[tecnickcom/tc-lib-pdf-parser PHP library to parse PDF documents 38126.9k9](/packages/tecnickcom-tc-lib-pdf-parser) PHPackages © 2026 [Directory](/)[Categories](/categories)[Trending](/trending)[Changelog](/changelog)[Analyze](/analyze)