> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.craftformswp.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.craftformswp.com/documentation/pdf-templates/create-pdf-template.md).
# Create PDF Template
CraftForms lets you design PDF documents — invoices, shipping labels, event tickets, and more — visually, using the same WordPress block editor you already know from Email Templates. Build the layout once, then generate a polished PDF automatically whenever a form is submitted, a WooCommerce order status changes (premium), or you attach it manually.
#### Step 1: Create a New PDF Template
Go to **CraftForms → PDF Templates** and click **Add New**.
You'll be asked to choose how to start:
* **Choose a starter template** — pre-built layouts with sample content already in place: **Basic Invoice**, **Shipping Label**, **Event Ticket**
* **Start from scratch** — a blank canvas
* **Import from file** — reuse a previously exported PDF template (`.html`)
> **Tip:** If this is your first PDF template, pick the **Basic Invoice** starter — it already includes a header, itemized table, totals block, and a payment QR code laid out correctly for print.
#### Step 2: Build Your Template in the Block Editor
The PDF template editor is the familiar Gutenberg block editor. Type `/` anywhere to insert a block.
> **Note:** Only PDF-safe blocks are available. PDFs are rendered by a lightweight HTML-to-PDF engine that doesn't support flexbox or CSS grid, so layout blocks (Columns, Group) are automatically compiled into table-based markup behind the scenes — you design visually and don't need to think about this.
To add a QR code or barcode whose value changes with each PDF (a ticket code, an order number), use the **QR Code / Barcode** block. See [QR Code / Barcode](/documentation/pdf-templates/create-pdf-template/qr-code-barcode.md).
The right-hand sidebar has the following panels:
| Panel | Purpose |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Starter Templates** | Re-open the starter picker to swap in a different starting layout |
| **Page** | Page size, orientation, and margins (see Step 3) |
| **Preview** | Renders the current template as an actual PDF so you can check pagination and print layout |
| **Dynamic Data** | Browse and insert merge tags for the currently selected form |
| **General** | Template description |
#### Step 3: Configure Page Settings
Open the **Page** panel to control how the document will print:
* **Page size** — A4, A3, A5, Letter, Legal, or Custom (choosing Custom reveals **Width (mm)** and **Height (mm)** fields)
* **Orientation** — Portrait or Landscape
* **Margins (mm)** — four separate fields: **Top**, **Right**, **Bottom**, **Left**
As you add content, the canvas shows a red guide line marking each page break — useful for keeping tables and totals from splitting awkwardly across pages.
#### Step 4: Use Dynamic Data Tags
Dynamic Data tags pull real values into the document at generation time — no manual editing per submission.
**Site Tags**
| Tag | Description |
| ---------------------- | ------------------- |
| `{{site.name}}` | Site name |
| `{{site.url}}` | Site URL |
| `{{site.tagline}}` | Site tagline |
| `{{site.admin_email}}` | Admin email address |
**Form Field Tags**
\
Select the source form from the **Select Form** dropdown in the Dynamic Data panel, then insert any of its fields. Form field tags always use the `email.` namespace, even inside a PDF template — for example `{{email.name}}`, `{{email.total}}`.
**PDF Document Tags**
| Tag | Description |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `{{pdf.number}}` | Submission ID |
| `{{pdf.generated_at}}` | Date/time the document was generated |
| `{{pdf.order_id}}` | Order ID (WooCommerce or Catalog order) — **premium only** |
> **Note:** `{{pdf.number}}` resolves once the PDF is attached to a saved submission; `{{pdf.order_id}}` only resolves when the PDF is tied to a WooCommerce or Catalog order.
You can also type `{{` directly inside any text block to bring up the same tag menu without leaving the canvas.
#### Step 5: Preview and Publish
Save your draft, then open the **Preview** panel and click **Open the preview** to generate a real PDF from your current content in the **PDF Template Preview** modal — this is the actual rendering engine, so what you see is what recipients will get.
When you're happy with the layout, click **Publish**.
#### Step 6: Attach Your PDF Template
A PDF template does nothing on its own — it needs to be attached at one of these points, all labeled **Attach PDF(s)**:
* **Send Email action** — check the template under **Attach PDF(s)** on any email submit action
* **Save Submission action** — check the template under **Attach PDF(s)** to link the generated document to the submission record
* **Catalog item** (WooCommerce) — set **Attach PDF(s)** on the product so a document generates automatically when a connected form is submitted, and is linked to the resulting order
> **Note:** The same template is only ever generated once per submission or order, even if it's attached in multiple places — CraftForms reuses the already-generated document instead of regenerating it.
#### Quick Tips
* Use the **Basic Invoice**, **Shipping Label**, or **Event Ticket** starter as a base rather than building from scratch — they already handle print-safe layouts for their format (e.g. the Shipping Label starter uses a 4×6 in custom page size, the Event Ticket starter is A5 landscape).
* Switch the **Select Form** dropdown in Dynamic Data to preview tags from a different form without leaving the template.
* Form field tags are `{{field.fieldname}}`, not `{{pdf.fieldname}}`, even in a PDF template. The older `{{email.fieldname}}` form still works.
* Duplicate a template from the PDF Templates table to quickly create a variant (e.g. a second invoice layout for a different currency).