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USING IRONPDF

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion

Curtis Chau
Curtis Chau
Updated:

If you're working with HtmlToPdfDocument C# in DinkToPdf and experiencing limited CSS support, external dependencies, or performance issues, you're not alone. Many .NET developers seek a robust HTML to PDF converter that handles modern CSS, web fonts, and JavaScript execution without native library setup or command line tools.

IronPDF is a .NET library with a Chromium-based rendering engine that can easily convert HTML files, web pages, and HTML strings to high quality PDFs in just a few lines of code.

Nuget IconGet started making PDFs with NuGet now:

  1. Install IronPDF with NuGet Package Manager

    PM > Install-Package IronPdf

  2. Copy and run this code snippet.

    IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer
       .StaticRenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1>")
       .SaveAs("output.pdf");

  3. Deploy to test on your live environment

    Start using IronPDF in your project today with a free trial
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How Does DinkToPdf Compare to IronPDF?

DinkToPdf is a .NET Core wrapper for wkhtmltopdf, using the older WebKit rendering engine. While open-source, developers often face challenges when trying to convert HTML to PDF in production.

| Feature | DinkToPdf | IronPDF | | --- | --- | --- | | Rendering Engine | WebKit (outdated) | Chromium (modern) | | CSS Support | Limited CSS support | Full CSS3, modern CSS | | JavaScript Execution | Limited | Full JavaScript rendering | | Native Dependencies | Requires wkhtmltopdf binaries | No external dependencies | | Web Fonts | Partial | Complete support | | .NET Core / .NET 5+ | Yes | Yes (.NET Core, Framework, Standard) | | Azure App Service | Complex setup | Works out of the box | | Threading | Singleton required | Thread-safe | | HTML Templates | Basic | Advanced features | | Fillable PDF Forms | No | Yes |

The core difference lies in the rendering engine. DinkToPdf's WebKit engine struggles with complex documents, modern CSS, and dynamic web content. IronPDF's Chromium engine produces PDF documents that match exactly what you see in a browser.

What Problems Does DinkToPdf's HtmlToPdfDocument Class Present?

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 1 - DinkToPdf

The HtmlToPdfDocument class in DinkToPdf requires verbose configuration with limitations affecting PDF conversion:

using DinkToPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // DinkToPdf requires native library setup and singleton converter
        var converter = new SynchronizedConverter(new PdfTools());
        var DOC = new HtmlToPdfDocument()
        {
            GlobalSettings = { PaperSize = PaperKind.A4, Out = "output.pdf" },
            Objects = { new ObjectSettings() { HtmlContent = "<h1>Hello</h1>" } }
        };
        converter.Convert(doc);
    }
}
using DinkToPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // DinkToPdf requires native library setup and singleton converter
        var converter = new SynchronizedConverter(new PdfTools());
        var DOC = new HtmlToPdfDocument()
        {
            GlobalSettings = { PaperSize = PaperKind.A4, Out = "output.pdf" },
            Objects = { new ObjectSettings() { HtmlContent = "<h1>Hello</h1>" } }
        };
        converter.Convert(doc);
    }
}
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DinkToPdf PDF Output

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 2 - DinkToPdf example output PDF

Common issues include: slow PDF generation for simple PDF generation tasks, threading complications on web servers, and difficulty handling web content with JavaScript. The wkhtmltopdf command line tool creates deployment challenges for Azure App Service.

How Do You Convert Simple HTML String to PDF with IronPDF Instead?

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 3 - IronPDF

IronPDF simplifies HTML to PDF conversion with a cleaner API and superior output PDF quality. The ChromePdfRenderer handles all HTML content—from a simple HTML string to complex HTML pages.

using IronPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Convert simple HTML string to PDF
        string htmlContent = @"
            <!DOCTYPE html>
            <html
            <head>
                <style>
                    body { font-size: 14px; text-align: center; }
                    h1 { color: #2563eb; }
                </style>
            </head>
            <body>
                <h1>Professional Invoice</h1>
                <p>Generated with modern CSS support</p>
            </body>
            </html>";
        var PDF = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);
        pdf.SaveAs("invoice.pdf");
    }
}
using IronPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Convert simple HTML string to PDF
        string htmlContent = @"
            <!DOCTYPE html>
            <html
            <head>
                <style>
                    body { font-size: 14px; text-align: center; }
                    h1 { color: #2563eb; }
                </style>
            </head>
            <body>
                <h1>Professional Invoice</h1>
                <p>Generated with modern CSS support</p>
            </body>
            </html>";
        var PDF = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);
        pdf.SaveAs("invoice.pdf");
    }
}
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IronPDF PDF Output

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 4 - IronPDF example simple HTML string to PDF output

This code demonstrates how IronPDF processes HTML code and CSS styles during HTML conversion, producing PDF documents with proper font size rendering and text align properties—all without external dependencies. The PDF library handles everything internally.

Convert HTML to PDF from Output Directory

For converting HTML files from your output directory:

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Easily convert HTML files to PDF format
        var DOC = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("templates/input.html");
        doc.SaveAs("example.pdf");
    }
}
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Easily convert HTML files to PDF format
        var DOC = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("templates/input.html");
        doc.SaveAs("example.pdf");
    }
}
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Rendered PDF File

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 5 - Output for HTML file to PDF example

How Do You Convert a Web Page URL to PDF?

Converting live web content is where IronPDF excels. Unlike DinkToPdf's limited JavaScript rendering, IronPDF supports dynamic HTML elements and interactive forms.

using IronPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Enable JavaScript execution for dynamic content
        renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(500);
        renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
        string url = "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page";
        var page = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);
        page.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
using IronPdf;
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        // Enable JavaScript execution for dynamic content
        renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(500);
        renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
        string url = "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page";
        var page = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);
        page.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
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Converted URL to PDF

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 6 - Rendered PDF from URL content

This approach is ideal for generating invoices from web forms. The rendering engine processes all web fonts, CSS styles, and JavaScript before producing the PDF file, essential for large scale PDF generation.

How Do You Configure PDF Output Settings?

Both libraries offer configuration, but IronPDF provides more intuitive control over the generated PDF:

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperSize = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfPaperSize.A4;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 25;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "Company Report";
        renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.CenterText = "{page} of {total-pages}";
        var document = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1 style='text-align: center;'>Quarterly Report</h1>");
        document.SaveAs("configured-report.pdf");
    }
}
class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperSize = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfPaperSize.A4;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 25;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
        renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "Company Report";
        renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.CenterText = "{page} of {total-pages}";
        var document = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1 style='text-align: center;'>Quarterly Report</h1>");
        document.SaveAs("configured-report.pdf");
    }
}
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Output PDF

HtmlToPdfDocument C#: DinkToPdf Alternative for HTML to PDF Conversion: Image 7 - Customized PDF output

These code snippets show how to control paper size, margins, headers, and footers. IronPDF also supports advanced features like manipulating PDF documents, fillable PDF forms, and converting multiple HTML documents, features unavailable with HtmlToPdfDocument.

Why Should You Switch from DinkToPdf to IronPDF?

For developers using HtmlToPdfDocument in .NET Core applications, IronPDF offers key advantages:

  • Modern Rendering: Chromium engine handles HTML structure, modern CSS, and JavaScript execution to create PDF documents with pixel-perfect rendering
  • Zero Setup: No wkhtmltopdf binaries or command line tool configuration
  • Better Performance: Faster PDF conversion without singleton threading limitations
  • Full Web Support: Convert HTML document content with web fonts and complex HTML templates
  • Enterprise Ready: Deploy to Azure App Service, web servers, and Visual Studio environments
  • Format Flexibility: Multiple file formats including HTML pages, URLs, and PDF documents

The HTML to PDF converter is designed for production—simple PDF generation tasks or complex workflows with interactive forms and HTML element ID targeting.

Conclusion

While DinkToPdf's HtmlToPdfDocument class provides basic HTML to PDF conversion, its outdated WebKit engine and external dependencies create friction for modern .NET development. IronPDF delivers superior results with Chromium-based rendering, comprehensive CSS support, and hassle-free deployment.

Ready to convert HTML to PDF without limitations? Start your free trial to generate PDF documents from any HTML content, or explore licensing options for your team. IronPDF is also so much more than just a simple HTML to PDF library, be sure to check out it's documentation to see all of what it can do!

Get stated with IronPDF now.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is IronPDF?

IronPDF is a powerful library for converting HTML to PDF using C# with full support for modern CSS, JavaScript execution, and web fonts. It serves as an alternative to DinkToPdf, offering better performance and no native dependencies.

Why should I choose IronPDF over DinkToPdf?

IronPDF offers several advantages over DinkToPdf, including full CSS support, no need for native library setup or command line tools, and superior performance thanks to its Chromium rendering engine.

How does IronPDF improve performance in HTML to PDF conversion?

IronPDF uses Chromium rendering to efficiently process HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, providing faster conversions and higher fidelity outputs compared to other alternatives like DinkToPdf.

Does IronPDF support modern web fonts?

Yes, IronPDF fully supports modern web fonts, allowing for accurate rendering of fonts in your PDF documents.

Can IronPDF handle JavaScript execution during PDF conversion?

Absolutely, IronPDF can execute JavaScript during the conversion process, ensuring that dynamic content is rendered accurately in the resulting PDF.

What are the dependencies required for using IronPDF?

IronPDF does not require any native dependencies, making it easier to integrate into your .NET projects without additional setup.

Is full CSS support available in IronPDF?

Yes, IronPDF provides full CSS support, enabling the conversion of complex HTML documents with advanced styling into PDFs.

How does IronPDF handle external libraries or tools?

IronPDF does not rely on external libraries or command line tools, simplifying the setup and reducing potential compatibility issues.

What type of rendering engine does IronPDF use?

IronPDF uses a Chromium-based rendering engine, which allows for accurate and high-performance HTML to PDF conversions.

Is IronPDF suitable for .NET developers looking for an HTML to PDF solution?

Yes, IronPDF is ideal for .NET developers seeking a robust and efficient HTML to PDF conversion solution with comprehensive support for modern web standards.

Curtis Chau
Curtis Chau
  Chat with engineering team now
Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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