Markdown Magic - Powerful Markdown Editor

Introduction

PDF export is one of the most powerful features of Markdown Magic. Whether you're creating reports, documentation, or professional documents, the ability to generate high-quality PDFs from markdown can save you countless hours.

In this guide, we'll explore the design principles and techniques for creating professional PDF documents that look great and are easy to read.

Design Principles

1. Typography Hierarchy

Establish clear visual hierarchy with consistent typography:

# Main Title (32px, Bold)
## Section Header (24px, Bold)
### Subsection (20px, Semibold)
#### Sub-subsection (18px, Medium)

Body text (16px, Regular)
- Bullet points (16px, Regular)
> Blockquotes (16px, Italic)

Code blocks (14px, Monospace)
Footnotes (12px, Regular)

2. Color Scheme

Use a consistent color palette for professional appearance:

Minimal Theme

Black text on white
Gray accents
Blue links

Modern Theme

Dark gray text
Teal accents
Underlined links

Dark Theme

Light gray text
Blue accents
Cyan highlights

3. Spacing and Layout

Proper spacing improves readability significantly:

Page margins: 1 inch (2.54cm)
Line height: 1.5x font size
Paragraph spacing: 12pt
Section spacing: 24pt
Header/footer margin: 0.5 inch

Advanced Configuration

1. Page Setup

{
  "pageSize": "A4",
  "orientation": "portrait",
  "margins": {
    "top": "2.54cm",
    "bottom": "2.54cm",
    "left": "2.54cm",
    "right": "2.54cm"
  },
  "bleed": "0.25cm"
}

2. Headers and Footers

{
  "header": {
    "center": "Document Title",
    "fontSize": "10pt",
    "fontStyle": "italic"
  },
  "footer": {
    "left": "Company Name",
    "center": "Page {pageNumber}",
    "right": "{date}",
    "fontSize": "9pt"
  }
}

3. Table of Contents

Auto-generate a professional table of contents:

# Table of Contents
{{toc}}

## Chapter 1
Content here...

## Chapter 2
More content...

<!-- Table of contents will be automatically generated -->

Content Optimization

1. Images and Graphics

Optimize images for PDF output:

Use high-resolution images (300 DPI)

Compress images to reduce file size

Include descriptive alt text

Use consistent image sizing

2. Tables and Data

Create professional tables with proper formatting:

| Feature | Description | Status |
|---------|-------------|--------|
| Export | PDF generation | ✅ Complete |
| Themes | Multiple styles | 🚧 In Progress |
| API | REST interface | 📋 Planned |

<!-- Use emojis for visual interest -->

3. Code Blocks

Format code for maximum readability:

```javascript
// Example with syntax highlighting
function generatePDF(content) {
  const options = {
    theme: 'minimal',
    pageSize: 'A4'
  };
  return pdfGenerator.create(content, options);
}
```

Quality Assurance

Proofreading

Always review the generated PDF for formatting issues and typos.

Cross-Platform Testing

Test PDFs on different devices and PDF readers.

File Size Optimization

Balance quality with file size for easy sharing.

Conclusion

Creating professional PDFs from markdown is both an art and a science. By following these design principles and best practices, you can create documents that are not only informative but also visually appealing and professional.

Remember that the goal is to enhance your content, not distract from it. Use these techniques thoughtfully and always prioritize readability and user experience.

Professional PDF Export: Design Principles and Tips