A Comparison between IronPDF and Apitron PDF Kit

1.1. Using NuGet Package Manager

To install IronPDF, simply right-click on your project in Solution Explorer. This will open NuGet Package Manager.

Accessing the NuGet Package Manager using the Solution Explorer

Once selected, browse for the IronPDF package and install it, as shown in the screenshot below.

Installing the IronPDF library using the NuGet Package Manager

1.2. Using the Developer Command Prompt

You can also install IronPDF through the Developer Command Prompt.

• Open the Developer Command Prompt --- usually found under the Visual Studio folder
• Type the following command:

Install-Package IronPdf

• Press Enter
• This will download and install the package
• Reload your project and begin using it

1.3. Download the NuGet Package Directly

IronPDF can also be installed by visiting the IronPDF NuGet Package site directly and downloading the package. The steps are:

• Navigate to IronPDF NuGet Package
• Select Download Package
• Double-click the downloaded package
• The package will be installed
• Reload your Visual Studio project and begin using it

IronPDF is downloaded and is ready to use. However, before that, we should install the Apitron PDF library.

3.1. Using IronPDF

IronPDF has multiple methods for creating PDFs. Let's explore two important ones.

Existing URL to PDF

IronPDF makes it easy to convert any URL to PDF. The following code helps convert URL to PDF.

var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Render a PDF from an existing URL
using var Pdf = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com/");
// Save the PDF to a file
Pdf.SaveAs("url.pdf");

var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Render a PDF from an existing URL
using var Pdf = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com/");
// Save the PDF to a file
Pdf.SaveAs("url.pdf");

$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

HTML Input String to PDF

The below code explains how to render a PDF document from an HTML string. You can use just HTML, or combine it with CSS, pictures, and JavaScript.

var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Render a PDF from a simple HTML string
using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Html with CSS and Images</h1>");
PDF.SaveAs("pixel-perfect.pdf");

// Load external HTML assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript
// Set the optional BasePath as the file location to load assets from
using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='logo.png'><h1>Sample Text</h1>", @"C:\site\assets\");
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");

var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Render a PDF from a simple HTML string
using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Html with CSS and Images</h1>");
PDF.SaveAs("pixel-perfect.pdf");

// Load external HTML assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript
// Set the optional BasePath as the file location to load assets from
using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='logo.png'><h1>Sample Text</h1>", @"C:\site\assets\");
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");

$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The output is as follows:

IronPDF Generate PDF from URL and HTML CSS String

3.2. Using Apitron PDF Kit

Apitron PDF does not provide a way to convert a URL or HTML to PDF. It allows converting PDF to HTML. However, it also converts XML files to PDF. The XML file used is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FlowDocument xmlns="Apitron.PDF.Kit.FlowLayout.v1">
  <Resources>
    <Image resourceId="logo" fileName="../../images/logo.png" />
  </Resources>
  <Styles>
    <Style selector="flowdocument">
      <Color value="Black" />
    </Style>
    <Style selector="grid">
      <InnerBorder thickness="1" />
      <InnerBorderColor value="Black" />
    </Style>
  </Styles>
  <Elements>
    <Image>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="logo" />
        <ResourceId value="logo" />
      </Properties>
    </Image>
    <TextBlock>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="header" />
        <Text value="Sample Interview Questions for Candidates" />
      </Properties>
    </TextBlock>
    <Br />
    <TextBlock>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="headerNote" />
        <Text value="To help facilitate the interview process, the Human Resources Department has compiled a list of questions that might be used during the phone and/or on-campus interviews. Some of the questions deal with the same content, but are phrased differently while other questions may not pertain to a specific discipline; however all of the questions are unbiased and appropriate to ask. We hope you'll find this helpful." />
      </Properties>
    </TextBlock>
  </Elements>
  <Properties>
    <Margin value="30,20,30,20" />
  </Properties>
</FlowDocument>

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FlowDocument xmlns="Apitron.PDF.Kit.FlowLayout.v1">
  <Resources>
    <Image resourceId="logo" fileName="../../images/logo.png" />
  </Resources>
  <Styles>
    <Style selector="flowdocument">
      <Color value="Black" />
    </Style>
    <Style selector="grid">
      <InnerBorder thickness="1" />
      <InnerBorderColor value="Black" />
    </Style>
  </Styles>
  <Elements>
    <Image>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="logo" />
        <ResourceId value="logo" />
      </Properties>
    </Image>
    <TextBlock>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="header" />
        <Text value="Sample Interview Questions for Candidates" />
      </Properties>
    </TextBlock>
    <Br />
    <TextBlock>
      <Properties>
        <Class value="headerNote" />
        <Text value="To help facilitate the interview process, the Human Resources Department has compiled a list of questions that might be used during the phone and/or on-campus interviews. Some of the questions deal with the same content, but are phrased differently while other questions may not pertain to a specific discipline; however all of the questions are unbiased and appropriate to ask. We hope you'll find this helpful." />
      </Properties>
    </TextBlock>
  </Elements>
  <Properties>
    <Margin value="30,20,30,20" />
  </Properties>
</FlowDocument>

The code for converting this XML template to PDF is as follows:

// Use Apitron's FlowDocument to convert XML to PDF
using (Stream stream = File.OpenRead("C:\PLACE YOUR EXACT PATH HERE\template.xml"), 
               outputStream = File.Create("fromTemplate.pdf"))
{
    ResourceManager resourceManager = new ResourceManager();
    FlowDocument doc = FlowDocument.LoadFromXml(stream, resourceManager);

    doc.Write(outputStream, resourceManager);
}

// Use Apitron's FlowDocument to convert XML to PDF
using (Stream stream = File.OpenRead("C:\PLACE YOUR EXACT PATH HERE\template.xml"), 
               outputStream = File.Create("fromTemplate.pdf"))
{
    ResourceManager resourceManager = new ResourceManager();
    FlowDocument doc = FlowDocument.LoadFromXml(stream, resourceManager);

    doc.Write(outputStream, resourceManager);
}

The output is as follows:

Apitron PDF Document

If we compare the output of IronPDF and Apitron, we can clearly see that IronPDF creates impressive documents using HTML rendering and without even scaling the image size. On the other hand, Apitron gives a similar output to IronPDF but only if the XML file has registered styles.

4.1. Using IronPDF

Adding headers and footers is straightforward with IronPDF. IronPDF allows you to add page numbers and page breaks, attach a cover page, margin, etc.

The code for adding headers and footers is below:

var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Add a header
Renderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1; // Use 2 if a cover page will be appended
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "This is the header text";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Helvetica;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25; // Create 25mm space for header

// Add a footer too
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Arial;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 12;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25; // Create 25mm space for footer

using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='logo.png'><h1>This is header and footer generated pdf file</h1>", @"C:\site\assets\");
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");

var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Add a header
Renderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1; // Use 2 if a cover page will be appended
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "This is the header text";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Helvetica;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25; // Create 25mm space for header

// Add a footer too
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Arial;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 12;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 25; // Create 25mm space for footer

using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='logo.png'><h1>This is header and footer generated pdf file</h1>", @"C:\site\assets\");
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");

The output is as follows:

IronPDF Header and Footer

4.2. Using Apitron PDF Kit

Apitron PDF Kit creates PDFs by converting content in an XML structure format into a PDF. In Apitron PDF Kit, headers and footers can be added using the PageHeader and PageFooter properties. The code for doing this is as follows:

// Register document resources first
ResourceManager resourceManager = new ResourceManager();
resourceManager.RegisterResource(new Apitron.PDF.Kit.FixedLayout.Resources.XObjects.Image("logo", "../../data/logo.png"));

// Create the document
FlowDocument doc = new FlowDocument() { Margin = new Thickness(10) };

// Register styles
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".pageHeader", new Style() { Font = new Font(StandardFonts.TimesBold, 20) });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".pageFooter", new Style() { Align = Align.Right });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle("hr", new Style() { Height = 2, Margin = new Thickness(0, 5, 0, 5) });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".content", new Style() { Align = Align.Left, Display = Display.InlineBlock });

// Fill the header section
doc.PageHeader.Class = "pageHeader";
doc.PageHeader.Add(new Image("logo") { Width = 100, Height = 50 });
doc.PageHeader.Add(new TextBlock("This document is intended for internal use only") { TextIndent = 20 });
doc.PageHeader.Add(new Hr());

// Fill the footer section
doc.PageFooter.Class = "pageFooter";
doc.PageFooter.Add(new Hr());
doc.PageFooter.Add(new TextBlock((ctx) => string.Format("Page {0} from ", ctx.CurrentPage + 1)));
doc.PageFooter.Add(new PageCount(3) { Display = Display.Inline });

// Add pages
for (int i = 0; i < 2; ++i)
{
    doc.Add(new TextBlock("This is header and footer generation pdf file.") { Class = "content" });
    doc.Add(new PageBreak());
}

// Generate PDF
using (Stream stream = File.Create("out.pdf"))
{
    doc.Write(stream, resourceManager);
}

Process.Start("out.pdf");

// Register document resources first
ResourceManager resourceManager = new ResourceManager();
resourceManager.RegisterResource(new Apitron.PDF.Kit.FixedLayout.Resources.XObjects.Image("logo", "../../data/logo.png"));

// Create the document
FlowDocument doc = new FlowDocument() { Margin = new Thickness(10) };

// Register styles
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".pageHeader", new Style() { Font = new Font(StandardFonts.TimesBold, 20) });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".pageFooter", new Style() { Align = Align.Right });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle("hr", new Style() { Height = 2, Margin = new Thickness(0, 5, 0, 5) });
doc.StyleManager.RegisterStyle(".content", new Style() { Align = Align.Left, Display = Display.InlineBlock });

// Fill the header section
doc.PageHeader.Class = "pageHeader";
doc.PageHeader.Add(new Image("logo") { Width = 100, Height = 50 });
doc.PageHeader.Add(new TextBlock("This document is intended for internal use only") { TextIndent = 20 });
doc.PageHeader.Add(new Hr());

// Fill the footer section
doc.PageFooter.Class = "pageFooter";
doc.PageFooter.Add(new Hr());
doc.PageFooter.Add(new TextBlock((ctx) => string.Format("Page {0} from ", ctx.CurrentPage + 1)));
doc.PageFooter.Add(new PageCount(3) { Display = Display.Inline });

// Add pages
for (int i = 0; i < 2; ++i)
{
    doc.Add(new TextBlock("This is header and footer generation pdf file.") { Class = "content" });
    doc.Add(new PageBreak());
}

// Generate PDF
using (Stream stream = File.Create("out.pdf"))
{
    doc.Write(stream, resourceManager);
}

Process.Start("out.pdf");

The output is as follows:

Apitron Header and Footer

5.1. Using IronPDF

One of the most important PDF processing features is the ability to sign a PDF document digitally. IronPDF provides all the tools necessary to do this.

using IronPdf;

// Cryptographically sign an existing PDF in 1 line of code!
new IronPdf.Signing.PdfSignature("Iron.p12", "123456").SignPdfFile("any.pdf");

/***** Advanced example for more control *****/

// 1. Create a PDF
var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
var doc = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Testing 2048 bit digital security</h1>");

// 2. Create a Signature.
// You may create a .pfx or .p12 PDF signing certificate using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

var signature = new IronPdf.Signing.PdfSignature("Iron.pfx", "123456");

// 3. Handwritten signature graphic
signature.LoadSignatureImageFromFile("handwriting.png");

// 4. Sign the PDF with the PdfSignature. Multiple signing certificates may be used
doc.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(signature);

// 5. The PDF is not signed until saved to file, stream or byte array.
doc.SaveAs("signed.pdf");

using IronPdf;

// Cryptographically sign an existing PDF in 1 line of code!
new IronPdf.Signing.PdfSignature("Iron.p12", "123456").SignPdfFile("any.pdf");

/***** Advanced example for more control *****/

// 1. Create a PDF
var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
var doc = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Testing 2048 bit digital security</h1>");

// 2. Create a Signature.
// You may create a .pfx or .p12 PDF signing certificate using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

var signature = new IronPdf.Signing.PdfSignature("Iron.pfx", "123456");

// 3. Handwritten signature graphic
signature.LoadSignatureImageFromFile("handwriting.png");

// 4. Sign the PDF with the PdfSignature. Multiple signing certificates may be used
doc.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(signature);

// 5. The PDF is not signed until saved to file, stream or byte array.
doc.SaveAs("signed.pdf");

5.2 Using Apitron PDF Kit

Stamping a signature to a PDF using Apitron PDF Kit is both a lengthy and technical process.

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    string fileName = "signedTwice.pdf";

    using (Stream stream = File.Create(fileName))
    {
        FlowDocument doc = new FlowDocument() { Margin = new Thickness(10) };
        doc.Add(new TextBlock("Signed using Apitron PDF Kit for .NET"));
        doc.Write(stream, new ResourceManager());
    }

    // Save
    Sign(fileName, "../../data/certs/JohnDoe.pfx", "password", "../../data/images/signatureImage.png", new Boundary(10, 750, 110, 800));
}

// Implementation of Sign Method
private static void Sign(string pathToDocument, string pathToCertificate, string password, string pathToSignatureImage, Boundary signatureViewLocation)
{
    // Open existing document and sign once
    using (Stream inputStream = new FileStream(pathToDocument, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.ReadWrite))
    {
        using (FixedDocument doc = new FixedDocument(inputStream))
        {
            string imageResourceId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
            string signatureFieldId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");

            // Register signature image resource
            doc.ResourceManager.RegisterResource(new Image(imageResourceId, pathToSignatureImage));

            // Create first signature field and initialize it using a stored certificate
            SignatureField signatureField = new SignatureField(signatureFieldId);
            using (Stream signatureDataStream = File.OpenRead(pathToCertificate))
            {
                signatureField.Signature = Signature.Create(new Pkcs12Store(signatureDataStream, password));
            }

            // Add signature fields to the document
doc.AcroForm.Fields.Add(signatureField);

            // Create first signature view using the image resource
            SignatureFieldView signatureView = new SignatureFieldView(signatureField, signatureViewLocation);
            signatureView.ViewSettings.Graphic = Graphic.Image;
            signatureView.ViewSettings.GraphicResourceID = imageResourceId;
            signatureView.ViewSettings.Description = Description.None;

            // Add views to page annotations collection
doc.Pages[0].Annotations.Add(signatureView);

            // Save as incremental update
doc.Save();
        }
    }
}

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    string fileName = "signedTwice.pdf";

    using (Stream stream = File.Create(fileName))
    {
        FlowDocument doc = new FlowDocument() { Margin = new Thickness(10) };
        doc.Add(new TextBlock("Signed using Apitron PDF Kit for .NET"));
        doc.Write(stream, new ResourceManager());
    }

    // Save
    Sign(fileName, "../../data/certs/JohnDoe.pfx", "password", "../../data/images/signatureImage.png", new Boundary(10, 750, 110, 800));
}

// Implementation of Sign Method
private static void Sign(string pathToDocument, string pathToCertificate, string password, string pathToSignatureImage, Boundary signatureViewLocation)
{
    // Open existing document and sign once
    using (Stream inputStream = new FileStream(pathToDocument, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.ReadWrite))
    {
        using (FixedDocument doc = new FixedDocument(inputStream))
        {
            string imageResourceId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
            string signatureFieldId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");

            // Register signature image resource
            doc.ResourceManager.RegisterResource(new Image(imageResourceId, pathToSignatureImage));

            // Create first signature field and initialize it using a stored certificate
            SignatureField signatureField = new SignatureField(signatureFieldId);
            using (Stream signatureDataStream = File.OpenRead(pathToCertificate))
            {
                signatureField.Signature = Signature.Create(new Pkcs12Store(signatureDataStream, password));
            }

            // Add signature fields to the document
doc.AcroForm.Fields.Add(signatureField);

            // Create first signature view using the image resource
            SignatureFieldView signatureView = new SignatureFieldView(signatureField, signatureViewLocation);
            signatureView.ViewSettings.Graphic = Graphic.Image;
            signatureView.ViewSettings.GraphicResourceID = imageResourceId;
            signatureView.ViewSettings.Description = Description.None;

            // Add views to page annotations collection
doc.Pages[0].Annotations.Add(signatureView);

            // Save as incremental update
doc.Save();
        }
    }
}

The output is pretty much the same for the libraries. You can clearly see that IronPDF is easier and more convenient for manipulating PDF content. The output PDF is signed with the certificate and signature printed on it.

Using Bootstrap 5 with IronPDF for Portfolio Galleries

IronPDF's Chrome V8 rendering engine fully supports modern Bootstrap 5 components, enabling you to generate visually stunning PDF documents with professional portfolio galleries. This example demonstrates grid layouts, hover effects, gradient overlays, and category badges - features that would be challenging to implement with traditional PDF libraries like Apitron PDF SDK.

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

string portfolioGallery = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset='utf-8'>
    <link href='https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css' rel='stylesheet'>
    <style>
        .gallery-item {
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
            border-radius: 10px;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
        }
        .gallery-item img {
            width: 100%;
            height: 250px;
            object-fit: cover;
            transition: transform 0.3s;
        }
        .gallery-item:hover img {
            transform: scale(1.1);
        }
        .gallery-overlay {
            position: absolute;
            bottom: 0;
            left: 0;
            right: 0;
            background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.8), transparent);
            padding: 20px;
            color: white;
        }
        .category-badge {
            position: absolute;
            top: 10px;
            right: 10px;
        }
        @media print {
            .gallery-item { page-break-inside: avoid; }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='container py-5'>
        <div class='text-center mb-5'>
            <h1>Design Portfolio</h1>
            <p class='lead text-muted'>Showcase of PDF Document Designs</p>
        </div>

        <div class='row mb-4'>
            <div class='col-12'>
                <div class='btn-group' role='group'>
                    <button class='btn btn-primary'>All Projects</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Invoices</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Reports</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Forms</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Certificates</button>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class='row g-4'>
            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-primary category-badge'>Invoice</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📄</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Professional Invoice Template</h5>
                        <small>Corporate billing with itemized details</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-success category-badge'>Report</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f093fb 0%, #f5576c 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📊</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Analytics Dashboard Report</h5>
                        <small>Data visualization and metrics</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-warning category-badge'>Certificate</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #4facfe 0%, #00f2fe 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>🏆</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Award Certificate</h5>
                        <small>Professional achievement recognition</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-info category-badge'>Form</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fa709a 0%, #fee140 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📝</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Application Form</h5>
                        <small>Multi-page data collection</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-danger category-badge'>Invoice</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #30cfd0 0%, #330867 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>💰</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Payment Receipt</h5>
                        <small>Transaction confirmation document</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-secondary category-badge'>Report</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #a8edea 0%, #fed6e3 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📈</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Financial Statement</h5>
                        <small>Quarterly performance overview</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class='text-center mt-5'>
            <p class='text-muted'>All templates rendered with IronPDF's Chromium engine</p>
            <div class='d-flex justify-content-center gap-2'>
                <span class='badge bg-primary'>Bootstrap 5</span>
                <span class='badge bg-success'>Responsive</span>
                <span class='badge bg-info'>Print-Ready</span>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(portfolioGallery);
pdf.SaveAs("portfolio-gallery.pdf");

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

string portfolioGallery = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset='utf-8'>
    <link href='https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css' rel='stylesheet'>
    <style>
        .gallery-item {
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
            border-radius: 10px;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
        }
        .gallery-item img {
            width: 100%;
            height: 250px;
            object-fit: cover;
            transition: transform 0.3s;
        }
        .gallery-item:hover img {
            transform: scale(1.1);
        }
        .gallery-overlay {
            position: absolute;
            bottom: 0;
            left: 0;
            right: 0;
            background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.8), transparent);
            padding: 20px;
            color: white;
        }
        .category-badge {
            position: absolute;
            top: 10px;
            right: 10px;
        }
        @media print {
            .gallery-item { page-break-inside: avoid; }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='container py-5'>
        <div class='text-center mb-5'>
            <h1>Design Portfolio</h1>
            <p class='lead text-muted'>Showcase of PDF Document Designs</p>
        </div>

        <div class='row mb-4'>
            <div class='col-12'>
                <div class='btn-group' role='group'>
                    <button class='btn btn-primary'>All Projects</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Invoices</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Reports</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Forms</button>
                    <button class='btn btn-outline-primary'>Certificates</button>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class='row g-4'>
            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-primary category-badge'>Invoice</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📄</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Professional Invoice Template</h5>
                        <small>Corporate billing with itemized details</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-success category-badge'>Report</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f093fb 0%, #f5576c 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📊</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Analytics Dashboard Report</h5>
                        <small>Data visualization and metrics</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-warning category-badge'>Certificate</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #4facfe 0%, #00f2fe 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>🏆</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Award Certificate</h5>
                        <small>Professional achievement recognition</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-info category-badge'>Form</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fa709a 0%, #fee140 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📝</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Application Form</h5>
                        <small>Multi-page data collection</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-danger category-badge'>Invoice</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #30cfd0 0%, #330867 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>💰</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Payment Receipt</h5>
                        <small>Transaction confirmation document</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='gallery-item'>
                    <span class='badge bg-secondary category-badge'>Report</span>
                    <svg width='100%' height='250' style='background: linear-gradient(135deg, #a8edea 0%, #fed6e3 100%)'>
                        <text x='50%' y='50%' text-anchor='middle' fill='white' font-size='48' opacity='0.3'>📈</text>
                    </svg>
                    <div class='gallery-overlay'>
                        <h5>Financial Statement</h5>
                        <small>Quarterly performance overview</small>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class='text-center mt-5'>
            <p class='text-muted'>All templates rendered with IronPDF's Chromium engine</p>
            <div class='d-flex justify-content-center gap-2'>
                <span class='badge bg-primary'>Bootstrap 5</span>
                <span class='badge bg-success'>Responsive</span>
                <span class='badge bg-info'>Print-Ready</span>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(portfolioGallery);
pdf.SaveAs("portfolio-gallery.pdf");

This code generates a professional PDF portfolio with a responsive grid layout, visual category badges, gradient overlays, and hover effects. The Chrome rendering engine preserves all Bootstrap styling, CSS Grid layouts, and custom CSS properties - capabilities that traditional PDF libraries struggle to replicate.

Key Advantages vs Apitron PDF SDK:

• Native Bootstrap 5 support without conversion
• CSS Grid and Flexbox layouts render perfectly
• Gradient backgrounds and modern CSS effects
• Simpler code with higher-quality output

For a complete guide on Bootstrap PDF generation, see HTML to PDF Bootstrap Guide.

IronPDF Pricing and Licensing

IronPDF is a C# library that is free to use for development and can be licensed for commercial use any time. Project licenses for single developers, agencies, and multinational organizations, as well as for SaaS and OEM redistribution, are all accessible. All licenses provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, one year support and upgrades, development/staging/production validity, and a perpetual license (one-time purchase).

The Lite package is available for $799 with no recurring expenses. More details and assistance for choosing the best license are available on the IronPDF product licensing page.

IronPDF Licensing

Apitron PDF Kit Pricing and Licensing

There are two licensing schemes currently in use - Modern and Legacy. If you already have a license, then the legacy license scheme remains active for you until your license expires. Afterward, you have to contact customer support for the transition. The modern licensing scheme applies to you only if you are a new customer.

Under the modern scheme, there are three licensing tiers:

• Evaluation - three-month evaluation period to use a fully functional product. Just download the package from NuGet and start developing.
• Community - Use fully functional products without any fees in your non-commercial projects. Approval is required.
• Commercial - any use case not described above. Pricing depends on the usage pattern.