If the image can be built from JSX and the CSS supported by Next.js, use ImageResponse to generate a PNG. For a public URL that clients can fetch, put it in an App Router Route Handler. This is a generated-image renderer—not a guarantee of screenshot fidelity for arbitrary HTML and browser CSS.
Choose the right rendering path
Next.js ImageResponse uses @vercel/og, Satori, and resvg to render JSX as an image. It suits controlled graphics such as social cards, badges, and simple data-driven visuals. Its documented CSS support is limited: flexbox and a subset of properties work, while advanced layouts such as CSS Grid do not. Check the current guide for font and styling requirements for your installed Next.js version: Next.js Metadata and OG images.
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- Use ImageResponse when you control the markup and can express the design using its supported JSX and CSS.
- Use a real browser-rendering approach when you need a faithful screenshot of an arbitrary page, browser-only APIs, or authenticated browser state. The Next.js ImageResponse documentation does not establish full browser screenshot fidelity.
- Render in a client component when the task depends on interactive state or browser-only APIs. Use a server route when callers need an image endpoint. Next.js explains the distinction in its Server and Client Components guide.
Generate a PNG from JSX with ImageResponse
For a request-driven image endpoint, create app/api/card/route.ts. This example accepts a title, supplies a fallback, and returns PNG bytes:
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export const runtime = 'edge';
export async function GET(request: Request) {
const { searchParams } = new URL(request.url);
const title = searchParams.get('title') ?? 'Hello from Next.js';
return new ImageResponse(
(
<div
style={{
width: '100%',
height: '100%',
display: 'flex',
alignItems: 'center',
justifyContent: 'center',
backgroundColor: '#111827',
color: '#ffffff',
fontSize: 56,
fontWeight: 700,
padding: 48,
}}
>
{title}
</div>
),
{ width: 1200, height: 630 },
);
}Save it as app/api/card/route.ts, then run the Next.js development server and request /api/card?title=Launch. The handler returns an image response; save the response body as a PNG or use the URL in a context that accepts images. The example uses flexbox rather than Grid to stay within the documented CSS subset. For the installed version’s precise API and font handling, follow the official ImageResponse guide.
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Validate and protect the endpoint
Route Handlers are public endpoints unless your application adds access controls. If the image contains private or costly-to-render content, authenticate and authorize callers, validate query parameters, and avoid returning internal exception details. Route Handlers use Web Request and Response APIs and support GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, and OPTIONS; see the Route Handlers guide.
Return a generated image from a route
The preceding handler already returns the ImageResponse directly, which is the shortest path for a generated image. Route Handlers can return image and file content. They are not cached by default; a GET route can opt into caching through route configuration. Cache only when the output is stable and safe to share—for example, do not publicly cache personalized output under a shared URL.
When caching, include every input that changes the output in the cache key or URL, and choose a policy appropriate to how quickly the underlying content changes. If results must reflect fresh user-specific data, leave shared caching off and enforce authorization.
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When ImageResponse is not enough
A browser screenshot captures a rendered page with browser layout and runtime behavior. ImageResponse instead renders a supported JSX/CSS representation. If your requirement is “turn this arbitrary existing HTML page into the same pixels a browser displays,” assess a browser-rendering implementation separately. Verify that its browser binary, filesystem needs, memory use, and execution time are supported by your deployment host; no particular third-party automation package or host configuration is established here.
For either approach, choose based on the actual requirement: CSS fidelity, browser APIs or logged-in state, deployment support for binaries and filesystem access, execution time limits, and whether images should be generated on demand or precomputed.
Deployment constraints to check
- Serverless or lambda hosting: some hosts run handlers as lambdas. Next.js notes that requests may not share in-memory data, filesystem writes may be unavailable, and long-running work may be terminated on timeout. Check the current limits of your host before bundling a browser or relying on a long render. See Next.js Backend for Frontend.
- Static export: a static export has no runtime server. Runtime-dependent features are unsupported; only statically configured GET Route Handlers are supported in export mode. A request-time image that depends on input or live data therefore needs a runtime deployment rather than a static-only export. See the deployment guidance.
- Timeouts and load: keep request-time work within the host’s execution limits. For slow or expensive generation, consider precomputing stable images or using an asynchronous architecture supported by your stack.
- Shared data and caching: do not assume a handler’s in-memory state persists across requests or instances. Make caching decisions based on whether output is stable and safe to share.
Troubleshoot common problems
The image does not match the page in a browser
ImageResponse is not a full browser screenshot renderer. Recreate the design in supported JSX/CSS or choose a browser-rendering path when arbitrary page fidelity is required.
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Grid or another style is missing
Check the supported CSS list for your installed Next.js version. The documented renderer supports flexbox and a subset of CSS properties; advanced layouts such as display: grid will not work. Simplify the layout using supported styles.
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Check whether the host supports the chosen runtime and all required files or binaries, whether filesystem writes are allowed, and whether the handler exceeds a duration limit. Those constraints vary by host; consult its current deployment documentation rather than assuming local behavior transfers.
A static export has no generated response
Static export has no runtime server. Use a deployment with runtime support for request-dependent generation, or precompute a statically configured GET response when the output is fixed.
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Private output is visible to another caller
Treat the route as public until authentication and authorization are added. Also review route caching: a shared cached response can expose personalized output if the cache key or policy does not distinguish users.
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Frequently asked questions
Does ImageResponse create a PNG?
Yes. It generates PNG output from JSX rendered with its supported CSS subset.
Can I use this for a social preview image?
Yes. Dynamic Open Graph graphics are a documented use case for ImageResponse.
Does a Route Handler automatically make the image private?
No. Add the authentication and authorization your application requires; the route is otherwise a public endpoint.
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