How to Generate a PDF from a Template in C#

Generating PDF documents dynamically is a common task in modern applications, especially for invoices, reports, contracts, and certificates. In this article, we’ll explore how to generate PDF files from templates in C# using the IronPDF library. We’ll walk through template creation, data injection, styling, and output generation in a structured, real-world-friendly way. Instead of manually constructing PDF layouts in code, we’ll rely on ready-made templates that can be reused across documents. This makes the workflow cleaner, the output more professional, and the system scalable for future enhancements. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to generate PDF reports and create PDF documents from an HTML template using C# and IronPDF—a robust PDF library built specifically for .NET. This approach not only ensures beautiful formatting but also helps you scale with dynamic data sources. Let’s get started! Why Use PDF Templates? Templates allow you to design your document layout independently from your code logic. By using HTML content, you can define styles, structure, and placeholders once and then bind them to a data model. This improves reusability and consistency across documents. This approach is particularly helpful when you need to: Generate PDF reports based on user data. Insert images or logos dynamically. Control layout with CSS (e.g., margins, font size, page breaks). Work with web content or export web pages directly to PDF format. This is especially helpful in document-heavy domains like finance, HR, legal, and education. PDF templates are usually written in HTML/CSS, offering flexibility, design control, and separation of concerns between developers and designers. Tools and Libraries For this tutorial, we’re using IronPDF, a C# PDF generation library that supports: Rendering HTML and Razor views into PDFs. Injecting dynamic data into templates. Loading from strings, files, or URLs. Applying CSS and JavaScript styling. Setting Up the Environment To begin, open your project in Visual Studio. You can install IronPDF using the NuGet Package Manager UI or the Package Manager Console: Install-Package IronPdf IronPDF supports .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET 5/6/7+. It works cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS), making it suitable for web apps, desktop apps, or services. Step 1: Creating an HTML Template File Rather than embedding HTML directly in C# code, we recommend creating a separate .html file that serves as your template. This keeps your codebase cleaner and separates concerns.

May 12, 2025 - 20:57

How to Generate a PDF from a Template in C#

Generating PDF documents dynamically is a common task in modern applications, especially for invoices, reports, contracts, and certificates. In this article, we’ll explore how to generate PDF files from templates in C# using the IronPDF library. We’ll walk through template creation, data injection, styling, and output generation in a structured, real-world-friendly way.

Instead of manually constructing PDF layouts in code, we’ll rely on ready-made templates that can be reused across documents. This makes the workflow cleaner, the output more professional, and the system scalable for future enhancements.

In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to generate PDF reports and create PDF documents from an HTML template using C# and IronPDF—a robust PDF library built specifically for .NET. This approach not only ensures beautiful formatting but also helps you scale with dynamic data sources.

Let’s get started!

Why Use PDF Templates?

Templates allow you to design your document layout independently from your code logic. By using HTML content, you can define styles, structure, and placeholders once and then bind them to a data model. This improves reusability and consistency across documents.

This approach is particularly helpful when you need to:

Generate PDF reports based on user data.
Insert images or logos dynamically.
Control layout with CSS (e.g., margins, font size, page breaks).
Work with web content or export web pages directly to PDF format.

This is especially helpful in document-heavy domains like finance, HR, legal, and education.

PDF templates are usually written in HTML/CSS, offering flexibility, design control, and separation of concerns between developers and designers.

Tools and Libraries

For this tutorial, we’re using IronPDF, a C# PDF generation library that supports:

Rendering HTML and Razor views into PDFs.
Injecting dynamic data into templates.
Loading from strings, files, or URLs.
Applying CSS and JavaScript styling.

Setting Up the Environment

To begin, open your project in Visual Studio. You can install IronPDF using the NuGet Package Manager UI or the Package Manager Console:

Install-Package IronPdf

IronPDF supports .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET 5/6/7+. It works cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS), making it suitable for web apps, desktop apps, or services.

Step 1: Creating an HTML Template File

Rather than embedding HTML directly in C# code, we recommend creating a separate .html file that serves as your template. This keeps your codebase cleaner and separates concerns.