Test in production without watermarks.
Works wherever you need it to.
Get 30 days of fully functional product.
Have it up and running in minutes.
Full access to our support engineering team during your product trial
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used file format for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. Manipulating PDF files programmatically is common in various applications. This article explores two Java libraries, IronPDF and jPDFPrint, which provide capabilities for manipulating PDF files on a Java runtime environment. We will delve into their features, functionalities, and compare their offerings to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
IronPDF is a powerful Java library that enables developers to create, manipulate, and convert PDFs programmatically. It provides a range of functionalities such as generating PDFs from HTML, images, or existing documents, merging PDFs, extracting text and images, and performing other document manipulation tasks.
IronPDF offers a user-friendly API with a comprehensive set of methods, making it easy for developers to work with PDF documents. It also provides extensive documentation and tutorials to guide developers through integration.
One notable feature of IronPDF is its ability to convert HTML to PDF. This allows developers to generate PDF documents from HTML content, including CSS styles and JavaScript interactivity.
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
public class HtmlToPdfExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Create a renderer object
HtmlToPdfRenderer renderer = new HtmlToPdfRenderer();
// Render the HTML file as a PDF document
HtmlToPdfOutput output = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("input.html");
// Save the generated PDF to the desired location
output.saveAs("output.pdf");
}
}
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
public class HtmlToPdfExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Create a renderer object
HtmlToPdfRenderer renderer = new HtmlToPdfRenderer();
// Render the HTML file as a PDF document
HtmlToPdfOutput output = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("input.html");
// Save the generated PDF to the desired location
output.saveAs("output.pdf");
}
}
jPDFPrint is a Java library developed by Qoppa Software that focuses specifically on printing PDF documents programmatically. It provides a simple API for printing PDF documents using the Java Print Service.
jPDFPrint allows developers to print PDF documents to any installed printer, control print settings like page range and orientation, and specify custom printer commands. It supports duplex printing, booklet printing, silent print, and watermarking.
// Import Qoppa library for handling PDF printing
import com.qoppa.pdfPrinter.PDFPrinterJob;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.net.URL;
public class PdfPrintExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Create a PDFPrinterJob object for printing
PDFPrinterJob printerJob = new PDFPrinterJob();
// Set the PDF file to be printed
printerJob.setInputFile(new File("input.pdf"));
// Execute the print job
printerJob.print();
}
}
// Import Qoppa library for handling PDF printing
import com.qoppa.pdfPrinter.PDFPrinterJob;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.net.URL;
public class PdfPrintExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Create a PDFPrinterJob object for printing
PDFPrinterJob printerJob = new PDFPrinterJob();
// Set the PDF file to be printed
printerJob.setInputFile(new File("input.pdf"));
// Execute the print job
printerJob.print();
}
}
Both libraries offer sophisticated methods to manipulate PDF documents, such as printing and converting from other formats.
jPDFPrint focuses on programmatic PDF file printing using Qoppa's proprietary technology:
Import the Required Classes: Import necessary classes from the jPDFPrint library into your Java application.
package jPDFPrintSamples;
import com.qoppa.pdfPrint.PDFPrint;
package jPDFPrintSamples;
import com.qoppa.pdfPrint.PDFPrint;
PDFPrint
Object: Instantiate the PDFPrint
class with the path of the PDF to print.PDFPrint
class methods.Print the PDF: Use the print
method to initiate printing.
package jPDFPrintSamples;
import com.qoppa.pdfPrint.PDFPrint;
import javax.print.DocFlavor;
import javax.print.attribute.PrintRequestAttributeSet;
import javax.print.attribute.HashPrintRequestAttributeSet;
import javax.print.attribute.standard.MediaSizeName;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
public class PDFToPS {
public static void main (String[] args) {
try {
// Define the print flavor and find available services
DocFlavor flavor = DocFlavor.SERVICE_FORMATTED.PRINTABLE;
StreamPrintServiceFactory[] factories = StreamPrintServiceFactory.lookupStreamPrintServiceFactories(flavor, DocFlavor.BYTE_ARRAY.POSTSCRIPT.getMimeType());
if (factories.length == 0) {
System.err.println("No PS factories available!");
System.exit(0);
}
// Open the PDF file
PDFPrint pdfPrint = new PDFPrint("test.pdf", null);
// Set up the print job and attributes
FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream("output.ps");
StreamPrintService sps = factories[0].getPrintService(fos);
DocPrintJob pj = sps.createPrintJob();
PrintRequestAttributeSet aset = new HashPrintRequestAttributeSet();
aset.add(MediaSizeName.NA_LETTER);
// Print the document
pj.print(new SimpleDoc(pdfPrint, flavor, null), aset);
fos.close();
} catch (Throwable t) {
t.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
package jPDFPrintSamples;
import com.qoppa.pdfPrint.PDFPrint;
import javax.print.DocFlavor;
import javax.print.attribute.PrintRequestAttributeSet;
import javax.print.attribute.HashPrintRequestAttributeSet;
import javax.print.attribute.standard.MediaSizeName;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
public class PDFToPS {
public static void main (String[] args) {
try {
// Define the print flavor and find available services
DocFlavor flavor = DocFlavor.SERVICE_FORMATTED.PRINTABLE;
StreamPrintServiceFactory[] factories = StreamPrintServiceFactory.lookupStreamPrintServiceFactories(flavor, DocFlavor.BYTE_ARRAY.POSTSCRIPT.getMimeType());
if (factories.length == 0) {
System.err.println("No PS factories available!");
System.exit(0);
}
// Open the PDF file
PDFPrint pdfPrint = new PDFPrint("test.pdf", null);
// Set up the print job and attributes
FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream("output.ps");
StreamPrintService sps = factories[0].getPrintService(fos);
DocPrintJob pj = sps.createPrintJob();
PrintRequestAttributeSet aset = new HashPrintRequestAttributeSet();
aset.add(MediaSizeName.NA_LETTER);
// Print the document
pj.print(new SimpleDoc(pdfPrint, flavor, null), aset);
fos.close();
} catch (Throwable t) {
t.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
IronPDF is a powerful library used for PDF manipulation, PDF generation, conversion, and more.
Import the Required Classes: Start by importing classes from the IronPDF library.
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
PDF Generation and Manipulation: IronPDF allows you to generate, manipulate, and convert PDFs using various methods and properties.
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;
public class PdfGenerationExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Apply your license key
License.setLicenseKey("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");
// Render HTML as a PDF document
PdfDocument myPdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1>");
// Save the PDF document
myPdf.saveAs(Paths.get("html_saved.pdf"));
}
}
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;
public class PdfGenerationExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Apply your license key
License.setLicenseKey("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");
// Render HTML as a PDF document
PdfDocument myPdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1>");
// Save the PDF document
myPdf.saveAs(Paths.get("html_saved.pdf"));
}
}
Document Manipulation: Methods for merging, splitting, text/image extraction, watermark insertion, encryption, and more.
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;
public class PdfManipulationExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Initialize the PDF document
PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello PDF</h1>");
// Manipulate the document
pdf.addTextHeader("Header", new HeaderFooterOptions());
pdf.saveAs(Paths.get("output.pdf"));
}
}
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;
public class PdfManipulationExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
// Initialize the PDF document
PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello PDF</h1>");
// Manipulate the document
pdf.addTextHeader("Header", new HeaderFooterOptions());
pdf.saveAs(Paths.get("output.pdf"));
}
}
Both libraries offer unique features, but IronPDF tends to be more versatile with a broader range of functionalities:
Given these advantages, developers seeking a powerful PDF manipulation solution with HTML to PDF conversion capabilities should consider IronPDF.
However, it's essential to assess your project's specific requirements and evaluate both libraries' offerings.
Both libraries have active communities and documentation:
Licensing models differ, consider your project's needs and restrictions.
IronPDF for Java and jPDFPrint provide distinct features for PDF manipulation:
IronPDF offers a more straightforward and versatile solution. Developers should assess project needs and budget when choosing the suitable library. Consider IronPDF for broader capabilities beyond printing, especially if HTML to PDF conversion is required.
jPDFPrint is a Java library developed by Qoppa Software, focusing specifically on printing PDF documents programmatically within a Java runtime environment.
IronPDF is a comprehensive Java library that allows developers to create, manipulate, and convert PDFs. It offers functionalities such as generating PDFs from HTML, merging, extracting text and images, and extensive document manipulation.
IronPDF allows developers to convert HTML content into PDF documents, preserving CSS styles and JavaScript interactivity, making it ideal for dynamic PDF generation.
jPDFPrint provides advanced printing features, including duplex printing, booklet printing, silent printing, and watermarking, offering extensive control over print settings.
IronPDF excels in HTML to PDF conversion, making it a preferred choice for applications that require dynamic PDF generation from HTML content.
jPDFPrint offers a straightforward API focused on printing tasks, while IronPDF provides a comprehensive and versatile API for a broader range of PDF manipulation tasks.
IronPDF offers licensing based on user count with clear pricing structures, whereas jPDFPrint provides perpetual, annual, and subscription licenses based on the components used.
Both IronPDF and jPDFPrint have active communities and extensive documentation. IronPDF is known for its dedicated support team and rich resources, while jPDFPrint benefits from Qoppa's proprietary technology and responsive support.
Developers should consider IronPDF for its comprehensive functionalities that go beyond printing, such as HTML to PDF conversion and extensive document manipulation capabilities, along with rich support and documentation.
Developers should assess their specific project needs, such as whether they require extensive PDF manipulation or advanced printing features, as well as budget constraints, to determine the most suitable library.