Set PDFShift’s format option to a standard paper size such as A4 or Letter, or pass custom width and height values with units. Set margin as a shorthand string for uniform or CSS-style sides, or use an object to specify each side independently. If your first page spills onto a second page, check the space PDFShift reserves for headers or footers.
Set the PDF page size with format
PDFShift’s conversion options use format to determine page dimensions. Choose a standard format for conventional paper sizes, or provide custom width and height when your output needs a nonstandard size. The available API documentation extract lists these formats and custom units; because that extract is hosted on GitHub Gist rather than the current official reference, confirm option details against PDFShift’s current API documentation before deploying: PDFShift API documentation extract.
| Approach | Examples in the API extract | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard format | Letter, Legal, Tabloid, Ledger, A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 | Use when the PDF should match a familiar paper size. |
| Custom dimensions | Width and height values using in, cm, or mm |
Use for nonstandard layouts, labels, or other fixed-size output. |
Keep the page size and the HTML layout in agreement. A page that is smaller than the content’s required width or height may cause wrapping or extra pages; changing margins cannot correct an unsuitable page dimension.
Set margins with shorthand or per-side values
The margin option accepts either a shorthand string or an object with top, right, bottom, and left values. The examples below are from the API documentation extract linked above.
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| Value | Effect |
|---|---|
10px |
Applies 10px to all four sides. |
10px 0 |
Applies 10px to top and bottom, and zero to left and right. |
10px 0 20px |
Applies 10px to the top, zero to the horizontal sides, and 20px to the bottom. |
| Side-specific object | Set top, right, bottom, and left independently. |
Use shorthand when the layout is symmetrical and an object when, for example, the binding edge needs more room than the other sides. Confirm the accepted object syntax and value units against the current API reference.
Account for headers and footers
Headers and footers need room outside the document’s main content area. PDFShift says it applies margin space so a header or footer can be displayed; if the first page is already filled to its height, this reserved space can move content onto a second page. See PDFShift’s explanation in the PDFShift Help Center.
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PDFShift’s suggested first-page CSS examples remove the corresponding margin:
- For a footer:
@page:first { margin-bottom: 0 } - For a header:
@page:first { margin-top: 0 }
Apply these overrides only when removing that margin is appropriate for your design. If you need a margin on the first page, set a smaller intentional value rather than removing it outright.
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Control page breaks when you cannot change the source HTML
If the source document is outside your control, PDFShift’s page-break guidance shows that CSS can be supplied in the conversion request and used to target an element. For example, a break-before: page rule can force a selected element to start on a new page. Use a selector that identifies the intended element, and verify the result with the actual source page because its layout determines where the break falls. Refer to the page-break guidance in PDFShift’s Help Center.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different left and right margins in PDFShift?
Yes. Use the margin object’s side-specific values instead of a shorthand string.
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Can I use a custom PDF page size?
Yes. The retrieved API documentation extract describes custom width and height values using inches, centimeters, or millimeters; verify the syntax in the current PDFShift reference.
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