# Templates On

> Templates On lets you design an image or PDF template once, then generate finished files on demand by sending data to an API. Build the layout a single time, mark the parts that change (a title, a price, a photo) as fields, then send new content from your app, a no-code automation tool (n8n, Make, Zapier), or an AI agent — and get a ready-to-use PNG or PDF back. The point: you never reopen your design software for every post.

Templates On is a hosted SaaS at https://templateson.com. It is operated from the United Kingdom. The core loop is: design a template → store it with a unique ID → render it on demand by POSTing field values to the API → receive a PNG or PDF.

## What it is good for

Any situation where the design stays fixed but the content changes on every output, at volume:
- Social media posts (daily specials, quotes, announcements)
- Event graphics and flyers (a new one per show or session)
- Product cards (new drops, price changes)
- Certificates and personalised PDFs (one per recipient, generated in bulk)
- Marketplace / property / job listings
- Branded reports, receipts, and summaries built from data

It is an alternative to manually re-editing a design in Canva, Photoshop, or Figma for every variation, and competes with tools like Bannerbear, Placid, and HTMLCSStoImage.

## How it works

1. Design a template in the dashboard editor (or clone a public one). Mark dynamic parts as named fields.
2. Each field has a name (paramName) and a type: 'text' or 'image'. Image fields take a publicly accessible URL.
3. Render by POSTing the template ID plus field values to the API. You get back a PNG or PDF.
4. Drive it from your own code, a no-code automation tool, or an AI agent.

## Pricing

- A free plan to start — no credit card required.
- Paid tiers add higher monthly render volume, more templates, and more API keys.
- Renders (image and PDF) count against a per-plan usage quota; exceeding it returns HTTP 429.
- Current plans and limits: https://templateson.com/pricing

## API quick start

Base URL: https://templateson.com
Auth: every API request needs an API key (create one in the dashboard under API Keys).
Pass it as either header:
  X-API-Key: toa_your_key_here        (preferred)
  Authorization: Bearer toa_your_key_here

Minimum steps to render your first image:
1. List templates:        GET  /api/v1/templates/list
2. Inspect its fields:    GET  /api/v1/templates/{id}/fields
3. Render an image:       POST /api/v1/image   (body: templateId + field values)

Example render request:
  curl -X POST https://templateson.com/api/v1/image \
    -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"templateId":"abc123","headline":"My Article","cover_image":"https://example.com/photo.jpg"}'

Returns raw PNG bytes by default. Add "format":"json" to the body to receive a base64-encoded PNG inside a JSON envelope (easier for no-code and agent pipelines). POST /api/v1/pdf works identically and returns a PDF.

## Key endpoints

- GET  /api/v1/templates/list — list templates accessible to your key (your own + all public).
- GET  /api/v1/templates/{id}/fields — list a template's dynamic fields (name + type).
- POST /api/v1/image — render a template as PNG.
- POST /api/v1/pdf — render a template as PDF.
- GET  /api/agents — a single self-contained JSON manifest describing the whole API for autonomous agents (no auth required to read it).
- /api/mcp — native MCP server (Streamable HTTP transport) for Claude and other MCP-compatible hosts.

## AI agents and MCP

Templates On is built to be driven by autonomous agents. Two ways in:
- MCP: connect an MCP-compatible host (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, etc.) to https://templateson.com/api/mcp.
- REST manifest: fetch https://templateson.com/api/agents once to get tools, auth, workflows, and examples in one JSON document.

Available tools — discovery: list_templates, get_template_fields. Authoring: get_dsl_schema, preview_template (free DSL dry-run — SVG + layout warnings, no render spent), create_template, update_template (the agent writes a compact Template DSL; the server converts it to SVG — no hosted model). Output: render_image (PNG), render_pdf (PDF), bulk_render (N records → N outputs), render_carousel (multi-page slides), render_video (MP4). Versioning: list_revisions, restore_revision. Recommended render pattern: list_templates → get_template_fields → collect values → render. To author: get_dsl_schema → create_template → render. For batch jobs, discover the schema once then loop, using format=json to avoid binary handling.

## Error codes

- 401 — missing or invalid API key
- 403 — template is private and owned by another user
- 404 — template not found
- 400 — invalid parameters
- 429 — usage quota exceeded (upgrade or wait for reset)
- 500 — internal error (retry or contact support)

## Product pages

- [Home](https://templateson.com/): What Templates On is and how it works.
- [Pricing](https://templateson.com/pricing): Plans and limits. Free to start.
- [Template gallery](https://templateson.com/templates): Public templates you can clone and drive with your own data.
- [Contact](https://templateson.com/contact): Get in touch with the team.

## Documentation

- [Docs overview](https://templateson.com/docs): Pick an integration path.
- [REST API reference](https://templateson.com/docs/api): Full endpoint reference — rendering, templates, auth, errors, rate limits.
- [AI agents & MCP](https://templateson.com/docs/ai-agents): Connect autonomous agents over MCP or the REST manifest.
- [n8n integration](https://templateson.com/docs/n8n): Use Templates On inside n8n workflows.
- [Make integration](https://templateson.com/docs/make): Use Templates On inside Make scenarios.
- [Zapier integration](https://templateson.com/docs/zapier): Use the live Zapier app.
- [Agent manifest (JSON)](https://templateson.com/api/agents): Machine-readable API description for agents.

## Features

- [Turn a spreadsheet into a thousand finished files in one shot.](https://templateson.com/features/bulk-rendering): Render thousands of images or PDFs from one template in a single API call. Bulk rendering counts as one job, not N requests.
- [Turn a design template into a real MP4 — no video editor required.](https://templateson.com/features/video-rendering): Render slideshow or motion MP4 videos from a template via API. Meters as one video job per render.
- [Contracts, reports, and proposals that run to real page counts.](https://templateson.com/features/multipage-pdf): Build multi-page templates in the editor and render them as a single stitched PDF document via API.
- [Social carousels, ready to post, straight from your data.](https://templateson.com/features/carousels): Render a multi-page template as an ordered set of slide images for social carousels, via API.
- [The finished file lands where it needs to be — automatically.](https://templateson.com/features/render-destinations): Deliver rendered images and PDFs directly to S3-style storage, Google Drive, email, or a webhook—no separate upload step.
- [Fire a render and move on — no waiting on the request.](https://templateson.com/features/webhook-async): Queue renders and get the result delivered to a signed webhook callback instead of blocking on the response.
- [Your real brand typeface, not a system-font stand-in.](https://templateson.com/features/custom-fonts): Upload custom brand fonts (woff2/woff/ttf/otf) and use them by name in every template render.
- [Skip rebuilding the design you already made.](https://templateson.com/features/imports): Import designs from Figma, Canva, or raw SVG directly into an editable, API-renderable template.
- [Know who actually scanned the QR code you printed.](https://templateson.com/features/qr-barcodes): Add trackable QR codes and barcodes to any template, with scan analytics via short links.
- [A certificate anyone can check is real — not just take your word for.](https://templateson.com/features/verification-certs): Issue certificates and documents with a public verification page, so recipients can confirm they’re genuine.
- [See exactly what you'll get, before you spend a single render.](https://templateson.com/features/free-preview): Preview template renders live in the editor without spending any API or bulk usage allowance.
- [Break a template without fear — every save can be undone.](https://templateson.com/features/template-versioning): Every template save keeps a revision history you can list and roll back to, free on every plan.
- [One invoice template. Any number of line items.](https://templateson.com/features/conditional-repeat-fields): Build invoices and line-item documents from one template using row-repeat and conditional render directives.
- [Link previews that update themselves — no re-export, ever.](https://templateson.com/features/og-images): Generate dynamic Open Graph preview images at a stable, hosted CDN URL for any template.
- [Let your AI agent generate real files, not just describe them.](https://templateson.com/features/mcp-agents): Connect any MCP-compatible AI agent to your templates and let it render real images and PDFs on demand.

## Comparisons

- [Compare hub](https://templateson.com/compare): Honest, sourced comparisons against other template-rendering APIs.
- [Templates On vs Bannerbear](https://templateson.com/compare/bannerbear): Bannerbear has more video editing depth (Movies, transcribed subtitles). If you just need bulk image/PDF/video rendering from a template without credit-math, Templates On is the cheaper, simpler entry point.
- [Templates On vs Placid](https://templateson.com/compare/placid): Placid's integration breadth (11 official integrations including ChatGPT, Webflow, WordPress) is hard to match. Templates On wins on bulk-as-one-job pricing and a true continuous motion mode.
- [Templates On vs APITemplate.io](https://templateson.com/compare/apitemplate): APITemplate.io's free tier (50/mo, no card) is a fine starting point for pure PDF generation. It has no video, no MCP/agent access, and reserves S3 delivery for its priciest tier — Templates On covers all of that from the $29/mo plan.
- [Templates On vs Templated.io](https://templateson.com/compare/templated): Templated.io and Templates On land at the same $29 entry price with similar MCP support. The difference is cost predictability: Templated's video cost is a resolution/fps/duration formula, while Templates On charges one flat job per video render regardless of length or resolution.
- [Templates On vs Robolly](https://templateson.com/compare/robolly): Robolly unbundles video into a separate add-on subscription on top of its base plan — getting 60-second videos can mean stacking up to $79/mo extra. Templates On's video is part of the same plan-level flag as everything else.
- [Templates On vs RenderForm](https://templateson.com/compare/renderform): RenderForm is the cheapest entry point of any competitor researched, and a reasonable pick for simple image/PDF generation on a tight budget. It has no video and no MCP/agent access at any price — if either matters, Templates On covers both from $29/mo.
- [Templates On vs Orshot](https://templateson.com/compare/orshot): Orshot is the broadest competitor we found — it already covers multi-page PDF, video, bulk, MCP, and more native cloud destinations than most others. We don't claim a destinations edge here. Templates On's verifiable edges against Orshot are price and document verification / QR tracking.
- [Templates On vs Creatomate](https://templateson.com/compare/creatomate): Creatomate is built for video and does it well, but has no PDF generation and no first-party MCP server. If your use case needs documents alongside images/video, or native AI-agent access, Templates On covers both.
- [Templates On vs Imejis](https://templateson.com/compare/imejis): Imejis trades features for simplicity and a low price — it deliberately ships image-only with no video or PDF. If that scope fits, it is cheaper. If you need PDF, video, or AI-agent access, Templates On is the only one of the two that has them.
- [Templates On vs Contentdrips](https://templateson.com/compare/contentdrips): Contentdrips is purpose-built for social carousels with its own AI generation flow. For straight API-driven rendering, its webhook delivery requires a $149/mo tier and bulk means one call per row — Templates On's bulk batches up to 1,000 records into a single job at $29/mo.

## Use cases

- [Generate invoices from data, not from re-editing a design.](https://templateson.com/use-cases/invoices): Invoice generation API: create PDF invoices from data with one template — row-repeat line items, conditional sections, multi-page output, and bulk rendering.
- [Certificates people can actually verify.](https://templateson.com/use-cases/certificates): Certificate generation API: bulk-generate verifiable certificates from one template, each with a public verify page and trackable QR code.
- [Social preview images that update themselves.](https://templateson.com/use-cases/og-images): OG image generation API: serve dynamic, always-current Open Graph preview images for blog posts and product pages from a hosted URL — no export step.

## Featured public templates

- [Gaming Stream — YouTube Thumbnail](https://templateson.com/templates/community/gaming-stream-youtube-thumbnail)
- [Summer Sale — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/summer-sale-facebook-post)
- [Abstract Art — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/abstract-art-instagram-story)
- [Black Friday — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/black-friday-facebook-post)
- [Flash Sale — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/flash-sale-instagram-post)
- [Tutorial — YouTube Thumbnail](https://templateson.com/templates/community/tutorial-youtube-thumbnail)
- [Winter Collection — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/winter-collection-instagram-post)
- [Modern Minimal — LinkedIn Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/modern-minimal-linkedin-post)
- [Gradient Vibes — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/gradient-vibes-instagram-post)
- [Abstract Art — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/abstract-art-instagram-post)
- [Gradient Vibes — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/gradient-vibes-instagram-story)
- [End of Season — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/end-of-season-instagram-story)
- [Black Friday — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/black-friday-instagram-post)
- [Flash Sale — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/flash-sale-facebook-post)
- [Summer Sale — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/summer-sale-instagram-post)
- [Black Friday — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/black-friday-instagram-story)
- [End of Season — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/end-of-season-instagram-post)
- [Clean Announcement — Twitter Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/clean-announcement-twitter-post)
- [Brand Identity Dark — Presentation](https://templateson.com/templates/community/brand-identity-dark-presentation)
- [Brand Identity Light — Presentation](https://templateson.com/templates/community/brand-identity-light-presentation)
- [Clean Announcement — LinkedIn Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/clean-announcement-linkedin-post)
- [Summer Sale — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/summer-sale-instagram-story)
- [Brand Identity Light — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/brand-identity-light-instagram-post)
- [Vlog Thumbnail — YouTube Thumbnail](https://templateson.com/templates/community/vlog-thumbnail-youtube-thumbnail)
- [Brand Identity Dark — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/brand-identity-dark-instagram-post)
- [Clean Announcement — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/clean-announcement-instagram-post)
- [Modern Minimal — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/modern-minimal-instagram-post)
- [Winter Collection — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/winter-collection-instagram-story)
- [Festival Vibes — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/festival-vibes-facebook-post)
- [Online Course — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/online-course-instagram-post)
- [Spring Collection — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/spring-collection-instagram-story)
- [Business Card Minimal — Business Card](https://templateson.com/templates/community/business-card-minimal-business-card)
- [Fashion Sale — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/fashion-sale-facebook-post)
- [Tropical Getaway — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/tropical-getaway-instagram-story)
- [Luxury Home — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/luxury-home-instagram-story)
- [Property Listing — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/property-listing-facebook-post)
- [Gym Promo — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/gym-promo-instagram-post)
- [Startup Pitch — LinkedIn Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/startup-pitch-linkedin-post)
- [Healthy Bowl — Pinterest Pin](https://templateson.com/templates/community/healthy-bowl-pinterest-pin)
- [Healthy Bowl — Facebook Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/healthy-bowl-facebook-post)
- [Travel](https://templateson.com/templates/community/travel)
- [Flash Sale](https://templateson.com/templates/community/flash-sale)
- [Gaming Thumbnail — YouTube Thumbnail](https://templateson.com/templates/community/gaming-thumbnail-youtube-thumbnail)
- [Team Culture — LinkedIn Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/team-culture-linkedin-post)
- [Quarterly Review — LinkedIn Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/quarterly-review-linkedin-post)
- [30-Day Challenge — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/30-day-challenge-instagram-story)
- [Elegant Wedding — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/elegant-wedding-instagram-post)
- [Restaurant Special — Instagram Story](https://templateson.com/templates/community/restaurant-special-instagram-story)
- [Wedding Save the Date — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/wedding-save-the-date-instagram-post)
- [Birthday Party — Instagram Post](https://templateson.com/templates/community/birthday-party-instagram-post)

## Blog

- [Best Bannerbear Alternatives for API-Based Image Generation in 2026](https://templateson.com/blog/best-bannerbear-alternatives-api-image-generation-2026): Looking for a Bannerbear alternative? Compare the top API-first image, PDF, and creative automation platforms - including TemplatesOn and Templated.io - to find the best fit for your stack and workflow.
- [Best HTML/CSS to Image API Alternatives for Automated Image Generation in 2026](https://templateson.com/blog/best-htmlcsstoimage-alternatives-automated-image-generation-2026): Looking for an htmlcsstoimage alternative? Discover API-first tools like TemplatesOn that let you generate branded images and PDFs from templates without writing rendering code.
- [Best Placid Alternatives for Dynamic Image and PDF Generation via API in 2026](https://templateson.com/blog/best-placid-alternatives-dynamic-image-pdf-generation-api-2026): Exploring Placid alternatives? See how TemplatesOn and other API-first platforms compare on features, pricing, and ease of integration for automated image and PDF generation.
- [n8n Image Generation: Build Branded Asset Workflows with an API](https://templateson.com/blog/n8n-image-generation-build-branded-asset-workflows-with-an-api): How to use n8n with an image generation API to automate branded marketing and content assets from workflow data.
- [n8n PDF Generation: How to Automate Documents Without Building Rendering Infrastructure](https://templateson.com/blog/n8n-pdf-generation-automate-documents-without-rendering-infrastructure): How to automate PDF generation in n8n using a template-based API instead of building and maintaining your own rendering stack.
- [Social Media Image Generation API for Marketing Teams](https://templateson.com/blog/social-media-image-generation-api-for-marketing-teams): How marketing teams can use a social media image generation API to scale branded assets without scaling design bottlenecks.
- [Open Graph Image Generator API: Automate Social Preview Images](https://templateson.com/blog/open-graph-image-generator-api-automate-social-preview-images): How to automate Open Graph image generation for blog posts, landing pages, and campaigns using reusable image templates.
- [Invoice PDF API: How to Generate Invoices from Your App or Workflow](https://templateson.com/blog/invoice-pdf-api-generate-invoices-from-app-or-workflow): A practical guide to generating invoices automatically with an invoice PDF API and reusable document templates.
- [Certificate Generator API: How to Automate Branded Certificates](https://templateson.com/blog/certificate-generator-api-automate-branded-certificates): How to automate certificate creation with an API, reusable templates, and structured recipient data.
- [Document Generation API vs PDF Generation API: What Is the Difference?](https://templateson.com/blog/document-generation-api-vs-pdf-generation-api): A clear comparison of document generation APIs and PDF generation APIs, including where they overlap and how to choose the right model.
- [Dynamic Image API: How to Generate Branded Images from Templates](https://templateson.com/blog/dynamic-image-api-branded-images-from-templates): A practical guide to generating branded images from structured data with a dynamic image API and reusable templates.
- [PDF Generation API for SaaS: Invoices, Reports, and Certificates](https://templateson.com/blog/pdf-generation-api-for-saas-invoices-reports-certificates): How SaaS teams can use one PDF generation API for invoices, reports, certificates, and other recurring documents.
- [Best PDF Generation API for SaaS in 2026](https://templateson.com/blog/best-pdf-generation-api-for-saas-2026): A practical guide to choosing a PDF generation API for SaaS products, with an emphasis on template control, speed, branding, and automation.

## Legal

- [Privacy policy](https://templateson.com/privacy)
- [Terms of service](https://templateson.com/terms)