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To generate a PDF with n8n, prepare HTML from your workflow data, send it to a PDF renderer, then pass the returned PDF binary to storage, email, an API response, or another node. For a self-hosted renderer, n8n’s Gotenberg template shows the pattern: turn HTML into an index.html file, send it to a reachable Gotenberg service, and receive a PDF. If you prefer a managed integration, PDFMonkey documents an n8n node and an HTML-to-PDF route.
What the workflow does
n8n coordinates the steps; it does not render the HTML itself in the cited Gotenberg example. A typical workflow looks like this:
- Get or assemble the document data.
- Render the data into a complete HTML document, including styles.
- Convert the HTML text to a binary file if using the Gotenberg HTTP pattern.
- Send the file or document data to a renderer.
- Route the returned PDF binary to the next step.
For repeatable document generation, keep the rendering steps in a reusable sub-workflow with a clear input contract and a predictable output binary property. The n8n template demonstrates invoking the PDF workflow as a sub-workflow. n8n’s Gotenberg PDF workflow template
Choose a renderer
| Decision | Gotenberg | PDFMonkey |
|---|---|---|
| Who operates the renderer? | You run a Gotenberg service that n8n can reach. n8n template | PDFMonkey provides a managed integration and API route. PDFMonkey n8n integration |
| How is HTML supplied? | The cited template sends an HTML file to the renderer over HTTP. n8n template | A Code Template can pass through complete HTML supplied in the request payload. PDFMonkey HTML-to-PDF documentation |
| Workflow interface | HTTP request in; PDF binary out in the cited template. n8n template | Dedicated integration node with documented document operations. PDFMonkey integration guide |
| Best fit | Self-hosting the renderer and controlling its availability are acceptable. | A managed service and template-based document workflow fit the project. |
The PDFMonkey integration guide was updated 2026-10-01 and describes node version 1.0.0+. Confirm the current guide and node behavior for your installation. PDFMonkey integration guide For either route, assess your own data handling, service terms, and retention requirements; the cited documentation does not establish comparative privacy guarantees, prices, or rendering speed.
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Option 1: Generate a PDF with Gotenberg
Prerequisites
- A running Gotenberg service reachable from the n8n instance. If n8n and Gotenberg run in separate containers, use a hostname and network configuration that allow n8n to reach the service.
- An input object containing the HTML and a filename, matching the contract used by the n8n template.
- A destination node or workflow step that can accept the PDF binary.
The exact Docker Compose setup and endpoint details in a workflow template are implementation-specific. Check the current Gotenberg HTML-to-PDF documentation before using endpoint or deployment values from an example.
Build the n8n flow
- Prepare the input. Create an object with an
htmlstring containing the document and afile_namevalue for the output. Escape or encode user-provided content appropriately when inserting it into HTML. - Create the HTML file binary. Use the workflow’s conversion step to turn the HTML string into a binary file named
index.html, as in the n8n template. - Call Gotenberg. Add an HTTP Request node configured for the current Gotenberg HTML-to-PDF endpoint. Send the generated file in the request format required by that endpoint, and confirm the request is directed to a hostname reachable from n8n.
- Check the response. Configure the node to handle the response as a file/binary result. The PDF should be available as a binary property on the output item.
- Route the PDF. Connect the result to the desired destination—such as a storage integration, an email node, or a response step—and use the binary property rather than treating the PDF as ordinary JSON text.
For a reusable setup, make the rendering flow a sub-workflow and pass in the HTML and filename; return the PDF binary to the calling workflow. The example architecture and binary handoff are shown in n8n’s template.
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Option 2: Generate a PDF with PDFMonkey
PDFMonkey’s documented n8n integration covers generating, retrieving, downloading, and deleting documents. It accepts template data as key-value fields or structured JSON. Its separate HTML-to-PDF guide describes supplying a complete HTML document through a minimal Code Template that outputs the supplied htmlContent; template settings control paper size and margins. Integration guide · HTML-to-PDF guide
- Install or select the PDFMonkey integration node appropriate to your n8n instance, and configure its required connection credentials.
- Choose the documented operation for generating a document and provide either the template fields or structured JSON expected by your template.
- For externally authored HTML, configure the PDFMonkey Code Template to pass through the complete HTML supplied as
htmlContent. Include the document structure and styles in that HTML. - Set the page size and margins in the template settings, then use the documented integration operations to retrieve or download the generated document.
- Route the downloaded document to the workflow’s next step.
Follow the current integration guide for exact node fields and credential setup: it is version-specific, and labels can change. The cited documentation does not establish service pricing, output speed, availability, or contractual data guarantees.
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Send the PDF where it needs to go
Once the renderer returns a PDF, decide whether to deliver it immediately or retain it. Common next steps include saving the binary in a file store, attaching it to an email, returning it from a webhook-driven workflow, or passing it to another workflow. Match the downstream node’s binary-property setting to the property returned by the renderer.
Producing a single PDF does not require external binary storage. For workflows that generate or retain many large files, n8n documents AWS S3 external binary storage as an option. Its documentation identifies this as an Enterprise-tier feature for self-hosted deployments; Cloud Enterprise customers are directed to contact n8n. n8n officially supports AWS S3, while other S3-compatible providers are not officially supported. In this mode, configure an S3 bucket lifecycle policy if old binary data should be deleted, since pruning is delegated to S3. Verify plan eligibility, current environment variable names, and retention behavior for your environment before deploying. n8n external binary storage documentation
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Troubleshooting
- HTTP Request cannot connect to Gotenberg: Check that Gotenberg is running, the endpoint is current, and n8n can resolve and reach the service hostname. A container’s
localhostrefers to that container, not necessarily the other service. - Gotenberg receives no HTML file: Confirm the conversion step created a binary file named
index.htmland that the HTTP Request node sends that binary in the form expected by the current Gotenberg endpoint. - The output is JSON or text rather than a PDF: Set the HTTP response handling to file/binary and inspect the output item’s binary property before connecting a storage or email node.
- PDF is missing styles or content: Make sure the HTML supplied to the renderer is complete and contains the required styles and content. For PDFMonkey’s HTML route, its guide specifically calls for complete HTML and a pass-through Code Template.
- PDFMonkey node fields differ from a walkthrough: Check the current integration guide and its stated node version (1.0.0+); do not assume older node labels or operations still match.
- Workflow execution storage grows unexpectedly: Review how long binary files are retained and whether an external storage configuration is available for your n8n plan. With S3 external storage, define the bucket lifecycle policy required for deletion.
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ScreenshotNeo API documentation
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpThe example saves a screenshot as WebP; adapt the target URL and request options for your use. ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture, and bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. It also offers an MCP server for AI agents and includes 1,000 screenshots per month free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 screenshots. Learn about ScreenshotNeo, see the API documentation, or sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does n8n generate the PDF by itself?
In the Gotenberg pattern, n8n orchestrates the workflow and sends HTML to an external renderer, which returns the PDF binary.
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No. External binary storage is an optional operational choice for workflows handling or retaining large amounts of binary data.
Can PDFMonkey convert HTML I already have?
Its HTML-to-PDF guide documents a Code Template that passes through complete HTML supplied in the payload.
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