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To generate a URL2PNG screenshot in PHP, build a query string from the target page and capture options, create the v6 token as md5($query_string . $URL2PNG_SECRET), then place the API key and token in the request URL. Keep the secret on your server. The example below follows URL2PNG’s official quickstart; check that documentation for any changes before deploying.
Build and sign a URL2PNG screenshot request
URL2PNG’s v6 API returns a screenshot URL constructed from your API key, a token, and an encoded query string. The token must be calculated from the complete query string followed by your secret. Do not put a real secret in browser-side JavaScript or publish it in a page or repository.
<?php
// Load these from server-side environment/configuration, not from user input.
$apiKey = getenv('URL2PNG_API_KEY');
$secret = getenv('URL2PNG_SECRET');
if (!$apiKey || !$secret) {
throw new RuntimeException('Set URL2PNG_API_KEY and URL2PNG_SECRET first.');
}
$pageUrl = 'https://example.com/';
$options = [
'fullpage' => 'true',
'viewport' => '1280x900',
];
// Encode the target URL as a query parameter, alongside the capture options.
$params = ['url' => $pageUrl] + $options;
$queryString = http_build_query($params, '', '&', PHP_QUERY_RFC3986);
$token = md5($queryString . $secret);
$requestUrl = 'https://api.url2png.com/v6/'
. rawurlencode($apiKey) . '/' . $token . '/png/?' . $queryString;
header('Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8');
echo $requestUrl;
Use the generated URL as the image source or request it from your server, depending on your application. The URL2PNG documentation’s sample uses a function that returns the screenshot URL. The code above builds the same essential pieces: options and target URL in a query string, an MD5 token from that exact string plus the secret, and the v6 endpoint path. Confirm the precise endpoint and parameter conventions in the current docs if you change the output format or request options.
Encoding and token pitfalls
- Generate the token only after the final query string is assembled. Changing, adding, removing, or re-encoding a parameter after signing can produce a token mismatch.
- Use the same encoded query string in both the token calculation and request URL. In PHP,
http_build_querywithPHP_QUERY_RFC3986encodes spaces as%20; if you adapt the official sample or use another encoder, make sure the bytes used for signing match the bytes sent. - Keep the API key and secret in server-side configuration. Do not accept a caller-supplied secret or let untrusted input choose arbitrary capture options without validation.
- The example prints a URL for clarity; in an application, avoid logging URLs if they contain sensitive page parameters.
Choose the capture options you need
URL2PNG documents the following controls for its v6 requests. Option names and accepted values should be checked against the current API documentation.
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| Option | What it changes | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
fullpage |
Requests a capture of the full document rather than only the visible browser viewport. The documented default is false. | Use fullpage=true for long articles or pages where content below the fold matters. |
viewport |
Sets the browser viewport dimensions. The documented default is 1480×1037; the docs give 500x500 as an example. |
Set a viewport that matches the layout you need to inspect or display. |
thumbnail_max_width |
Constrains or scales the screenshot width. | Use it when you need a smaller-width output for a thumbnail or preview. |
unique |
Can force a fresh screenshot instead of reusing the cached result; the docs suggest a timestamp-like value. | Vary it when the target has changed and you need a new capture. |
ttl |
Sets cache lifetime in seconds. The documented default is 2,592,000 seconds (30 days). | Choose a shorter or longer cache lifetime when freshness requirements differ. |
delay |
Adds a delay before capture. | Allow time for page content that appears shortly after initial load. |
say_cheese |
Provides a DOM condition for the capture. | Use a documented condition when capture should wait for a particular page state. |
custom_css_url |
Applies custom CSS from a URL. | Use it to adjust page presentation before capture. |
user_agent |
Sets the browser user-agent value used for the request. | Use it when you need to request a particular user-agent-dependent layout. |
accept_languages |
Sets accepted language preferences. | Use it when the page varies by language preference. |
Understand caching, freshness, and plan usage
URL2PNG says screenshots are cached for 30 days by default and retrieval of a cached screenshot does not count against a plan. Its documentation gives the default TTL as 2,592,000 seconds, also 30 days. Set ttl to control cache lifetime; use a changing unique value when you want to force a fresh screenshot. These are service settings, not a guarantee that every target page will render identically over time.
URL2PNG’s plans page says the service does not offer free accounts and lists paid quotas, prices, and overage rates. Those details can change, so consult the current plans page when estimating ongoing usage rather than relying on a copied price table.
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Troubleshoot common PHP integration problems
- Token rejected: Rebuild the query string once, then calculate the token from that exact string concatenated with the secret. Check that no parameter was added or encoded differently in the URL after signing.
- Screenshot shows only the first screen: Set
fullpage=true; the documented default captures the viewport rather than the full page. - Screenshot appears stale: The service caches by default. Adjust
ttlfor the cache lifetime or varyuniqueto request a fresh capture. - Page is captured before a delayed element appears: Consider the documented
delayorsay_cheesecondition, where appropriate for the target. - Unexpected language or layout: Check the target’s language and user-agent behavior; URL2PNG documents
accept_languagesanduser_agentcontrols. - Credentials missing in PHP: Verify the server process can read the environment variables and that they contain the URL2PNG API key and secret. Do not work around this by embedding the secret in public frontend code.
Or skip the browser setup:
If you want a screenshot API without constructing a browser workflow, ScreenshotNeo offers a one-GET API request for PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF output. Its clean-shot flow accepts consent banners like a visitor and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each step can be switched off. Bot checks/CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses indicate the page verdict and billing status in headers. It also has an MCP server with take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools for AI agents.
Example PHP request:
<?php
import requests;
$r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params=["access_key" => "YOUR_API_KEY", "url" => "https://stripe.com"], timeout=90);
file_put_contents("shot.webp", $r->body);
See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request details. Its Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use URL2PNG from a PHP application hosted in India?
The documented integration is a server-side HTTP request and the reviewed URL2PNG material does not specify India-only API behavior. Check URL2PNG’s current documentation and plan terms for your deployment.
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Does URL2PNG offer a free account?
URL2PNG’s plans page says it does not offer free accounts; see its current plans page for available paid options.
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