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PDF generation that passes compliance audits out of the box.

PaperJSX adds flexbox layout, HarfBuzz typography, digital signatures, AcroForms, encryption, and PDF/A-2a — capabilities that go beyond what pdfmake offers out of the box.

[01] Side by side

What forces teams past a lightweight PDF library.

This keeps the focus on the PDF features that usually force teams beyond a lightweight library.

CapabilityLite (free)Propdfmake
LayoutYoga flexboxSameColumn/stack-based
TypographyBasic font metricsHarfBuzz WASM (CJK, RTL)fontkit (basic OpenType)
Digital signatures—Yes (OpenSSL-verified)— No
PDF/A—PDF/A-2a (veraPDF validated)Basic via pdfkit
AcroForms—Fill (unsigned, unencrypted)— No
EncryptionAES-128AES-256— No

[02] The layout difference

Yoga flexbox versus a column-and-stack model.

pdfmake inherits a column-and-stack layout model from pdfkit. PaperJSX uses Yoga flexbox, which is the sharper difference when the PDF layout starts acting like a product surface instead of a simple export.

[03] The real tradeoff

Simple PDF export versus business PDF workflows.

Both can produce PDFs. The real decision is whether the workflow stays simple enough for a lightweight MIT library or needs stronger layout and downstream document features.

Governed PDF route

Use this when the file has downstream obligations.

Best when the document needs stronger layout, signatures, forms, encryption, or archival output that will be checked later.

  • Flexbox layout and better typography
  • Signatures, forms, and encryption
Workflowbusiness PDF

Lightweight PDF route

May be sufficient for simple, non-regulated PDFs.

If the PDF is straightforward and browser-side, with no compliance, signing, or encryption requirements, a lighter library may be enough for now.

  • MIT and widely used
  • Simple invoices and receipts
MITsimple PDFs

Generate a compliant PDF in 30 seconds.

Try the playground with a real document layout. The difference in typography, structure, and compliance readiness shows up immediately.

Open PlaygroundSee PDF benchmarks