PDFlib is a developer toolbox for generating and manipulating files in the Portable Document Format (PDF). PDFlib’s main targets are dynamic PDF creation on a Web server or any other server system, and to implement »Save as PDF« in existing applications.

Generate PDF documents on disk file or directly in memory (for Web servers). High-volume output and arbitrary PDF file size (even beyond 10 GB). Suspend/resume and insert page features to create pages out of order.

Merge multiple PDF documents. (Requires PDFlib+PDI/PPS 7)

Table formatter places rows and columns, and automatically calculates their sizes according to a variety of user preferences. Tables can be split across multiple pages. Table cells can hold single- or multi-line text, images, PDF pages, path objects, annotations, and form fields. Table cells can be formatted with ruling and shading options. Flexible stamping function. Matchbox concept for referencing the coordinates of placed images or other objects.

Text output in different fonts; underlined, overlined, and strikeout text. Glyphs in a font can be addressed by numerical value, Unicode value, or glyph name. Kerning for improved character spacing. Artificial bold, italic, and shadow text. Create text on a path. Proportional widths for standard CJK fonts. Configurable replacement of missing glyphs.

Create a linearized PDF (for fast delivery over the Web, also know as "fast Web view") which is encypted and contains form fields.

The mini samples (hello, image, pdfclock, etc.) are available in all packages and for all language bindings. They provide minimalistic sample code for text output, images, and vector graphics. The mini samples are useful for testing your PDFlib installation, and for getting a very quick overview of writing PDFlib applications.

Grayscale, RGB (numerical, hexadecimal strings, HTML color names), CMYK, CIE Lab color. Integrated support for PANTONE colors (incl. PANTONE Goe) and HKS colors. User-defined spot colors. Color management - ICC-based color with ICC profiles; support for ICC 4 profiles. Rendering intent for text, graphics, and raster images. Default gray, RGB, and CMYK color spaces to remap device-dependent colors. ICC profiles as output intent for PDF/A and PDF/X.

PDF 1.3 – PDF 1.7ext3 (Acrobat 4–9) including ISO 32000-1 (=PDF 1.7). Linearized (web-optimized) PDF for byteserving over the Web. Tagged PDF for accessibility and reflow. Marked Content for adding application-specific data or alternate text without Tagging.