Add Images to PDF using PHP FPDF Image()

FPDF provides the Image() method for placing an image inside a PDF document. We can specify the image file, its X and Y coordinates, width, height, image type and an optional link.

$pdf->Image(file,x,y,width,height,type,link);

The same method can be used for logos, report headers, footer images and charts created dynamically by PHP.

Add an Image to a PDF Document Top ↑

Create an FPDF document, add a page and then call Image() with the path of the image.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();

$pdf->Image('images/pdf-header.jpg',0,0);

$pdf->Output('I','image-example.pdf');

Set Image Position, Width, Height and Link Top ↑

The X and Y coordinates control where the image appears on the PDF page. Width and height control the displayed dimensions.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();

$pdf->Image(
    'images/pdf-header.jpg',
    20,
    60,
    180,
    20,
    'JPG',
    'https://www.plus2net.com'
);

$pdf->Output('I','positioned-image.pdf');

In this example the image begins at X = 20 and Y = 60 and is displayed with a width of 180 and height of 20. The image also acts as a link to Plus2net.

FPDF Image() Parameters Top ↑

$pdf->Image(file,x,y,width,height,type,link);

Video: Add Images to FPDF Documents Top ↑

Add Images to the PDF Header and Footer Top ↑

Images placed inside the FPDF Header() and Footer() methods are repeated whenever a new page is generated.

This example extends the FPDF class and creates enough rows to continue onto another page.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

class PDF extends FPDF
{
    function Header()
    {
        $this->Image('images/pdf-header.jpg',0,0);
    }

    function Footer()
    {
        $this->SetY(-20);
        $this->Image('images/pdf-footer.jpg');
    }
}

$pdf=new PDF();
$pdf->SetMargins(10,60,10);
$pdf->AliasNbPages();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Times','',12);

for($i=1;$i<=40;$i++){
    $pdf->Cell(0,10,'This is line number '.$i,0,1);
}

$pdf->Output('I','header-footer-images.pdf');

Insert Multiple Images into One PDF Page Top ↑

Call Image() more than once to place several images on the same PDF page.

require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();

$pdf->Image('image1.jpg',10,10,40);
$pdf->Image('image2.png',60,10,40);

$pdf->Output();

The different X coordinates place the images next to each other.

Resize an Image Dynamically before Adding It to PDF Top ↑

PHP's getimagesize() can read the source dimensions. We can then calculate a PDF height that preserves the original image proportion.

require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();

[$image_width,$image_height]=getimagesize('image.jpg');

$pdf_width=80;
$pdf_height=$pdf_width*$image_height/$image_width;

$pdf->Image(
    'image.jpg',
    10,
    10,
    $pdf_width,
    $pdf_height
);

$pdf->Output();

The source image width and height are used only to calculate the aspect ratio. The displayed PDF width is set to 80 and the height is calculated automatically by the PHP code.

Create a Pie Chart and Embed It in a PDF using PHP Top ↑

We can create a pie chart with PHP's GD library, save it as a PNG file and then add that PNG to the PDF with FPDF.

Data
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PHP GD
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Pie chart PNG
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PDF report

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

function createPieChart($filename)
{
    $width=300;
    $height=300;
    $image=imagecreatetruecolor($width,$height);

    $white=imagecolorallocate($image,255,255,255);
    imagefill($image,0,0,$white);

    $colors=[
        imagecolorallocate($image,255,0,0),
        imagecolorallocate($image,0,180,0),
        imagecolorallocate($image,0,102,204),
        imagecolorallocate($image,255,190,0)
    ];

    $data=[10,10,25,25];

    $total=array_sum($data);
    $start_angle=0;
    $center_x=(int)($width/2);
    $center_y=(int)($height/2);
    $radius=100;
    $last_index=count($data)-1;

    foreach($data as $index=>$value){
        $end_angle=($index===$last_index)
            ? 360
            : (int)round($start_angle+($value*360/$total));

        imagefilledarc(
            $image,
            $center_x,
            $center_y,
            $radius*2,
            $radius*2,
            $start_angle,
            $end_angle,
            $colors[$index],
            IMG_ARC_PIE
        );

        $start_angle=$end_angle;
    }

    imagepng($image,$filename);
    imagedestroy($image);
}

$chart_file='pie_chart.png';
createPieChart($chart_file);

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);
$pdf->Cell(0,10,'Pie Chart Example in FPDF',0,1,'C');
$pdf->Image($chart_file,50,40,100,100);

$pdf->Output('I','pie-chart.pdf');

if(is_file($chart_file)){
    unlink($chart_file);
}

How the Pie Chart PDF Example Works Top ↑

• The GD library creates the image canvas.
• The values in $data are converted into pie-chart angles.
• imagefilledarc() creates each section of the pie chart.
• The completed chart is saved as pie_chart.png.
• FPDF Image() places the generated PNG into the PDF.
• The temporary chart file is removed after the PDF is generated.

Create a Bar Chart and Embed It in a PDF Top ↑

The same approach can be used for a bar chart. PHP GD generates the chart as an image, FPDF inserts that image into the report, and the temporary image can then be deleted.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

function createBarChart($filename)
{
    $width=400;
    $height=300;
    $image=imagecreatetruecolor($width,$height);

    $white=imagecolorallocate($image,255,255,255);
    $black=imagecolorallocate($image,0,0,0);
    $blue=imagecolorallocate($image,0,102,204);

    imagefill($image,0,0,$white);

    $data=[50,80,120,60,90];
    $bar_width=40;
    $gap=20;
    $base=$height-30;

    imageline($image,40,10,40,$base,$black);
    imageline($image,40,$base,$width-10,$base,$black);

    $x=50;

    foreach($data as $value){
        imagefilledrectangle(
            $image,
            $x,
            $base-$value,
            $x+$bar_width,
            $base,
            $blue
        );

        imagestring(
            $image,
            4,
            $x+10,
            $base-$value-15,
            (string)$value,
            $black
        );

        $x+=$bar_width+$gap;
    }

    imagepng($image,$filename);
    imagedestroy($image);
}

$chart_file='bar_chart.png';
createBarChart($chart_file);

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);
$pdf->Cell(0,10,'Bar Chart Example in FPDF',0,1,'C');
$pdf->Image($chart_file,50,40,100);

$pdf->Output('I','bar-chart.pdf');

if(is_file($chart_file)){
    unlink($chart_file);
}

How the Bar Chart PDF Example Works Top ↑

• imagecreatetruecolor() creates the chart canvas.
• imageline() creates the chart axes.
• imagefilledrectangle() draws one bar for each value.
• imagestring() displays the value above each bar.
• imagepng() saves the chart as a temporary image.
• FPDF Image() embeds the chart into the PDF.
• unlink() removes the temporary chart image after output.

Common Problems when Adding Images to FPDF Top ↑

The image does not appear in the PDF Top ↑

Check the image filename and path. The PHP script must be able to locate the image file used by Image().

The image appears in the wrong position Top ↑

Check the X and Y values passed to Image(). These coordinates determine the image position on the PDF page.

The image looks stretched Top ↑

A fixed width and fixed height can change the original proportions. Read the source dimensions with getimagesize() and calculate one displayed dimension from the other when the original aspect ratio should be preserved.

Header content overlaps the image Top ↑

Leave enough top margin for the header image before regular page content begins. The header/footer example uses SetMargins() to provide additional top space.

The dynamically generated chart is not available Top ↑

The chart image must be created successfully before FPDF calls Image(). Confirm that the temporary PNG file is created before generating the PDF.

Related FPDF Tutorials Top ↑

Combine images with other PDF drawing and reporting features:

Frequently Asked Questions Top ↑

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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