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How to Save ScreenshotMachine Captures as PDF From the Command Line

ScreenshotMachine’s PDF API works from the command line with curl and shell redirection. Learn the correct endpoint, output options and common fixes.
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Use ScreenshotMachine’s PDF API with curl, then redirect the response to a local .pdf file. The documented endpoint is https://pdfapi.screenshotmachine.com; this is a curl/API workflow, not a confirmed standalone ScreenshotMachine CLI program.

Save a ScreenshotMachine webpage as a PDF with curl

Set your ScreenshotMachine customer key and the page URL, then pass both to the PDF endpoint. Shell redirection writes the returned response body to your chosen filename:

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CUSTOMER_KEY='YOUR_CUSTOMER_KEY'
URL='https://example.com'

curl -Gs 'https://pdfapi.screenshotmachine.com' 
  --data-urlencode "key=$CUSTOMER_KEY" 
  --data-urlencode "url=$URL" 
  > output.pdf

Replace YOUR_CUSTOMER_KEY, the example URL and output.pdf as needed. The API requires a customer key. Keep real keys out of shared scripts and public repositories. ScreenshotMachine’s PDF API guide documents this curl-and-redirection pattern.

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Check the result

After the command finishes, confirm that output.pdf exists and opens as a PDF. If you need a different location, use a path such as ./captures/page.pdf. The redirection operator creates or overwrites the destination file, so choose a filename that will not replace a PDF you need to keep.

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Do not confuse the PDF endpoint with the screenshot endpoint

For PDF output, use https://pdfapi.screenshotmachine.com. ScreenshotMachine documents a separate website screenshot API at https://api.screenshotmachine.com for image formats including JPG, PNG and GIF. That image endpoint is not the PDF route.

Choose PDF settings for the page and intended use

You can add documented parameters to the curl request as additional --data-urlencode arguments. For example, the API guide identifies these output controls:

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Setting Effect and documented default or choices
paper Paper size. Defaults to letter; listed choices include letter, legal, ledger, tabloid and ISO A0 through A6.
orientation Page direction. Defaults to portrait; landscape is also accepted.
media screen targets a browser-like appearance; print creates a print-oriented PDF that omits web-specific graphics or elements the service considers unnecessary for printing.
bg Use bg to include the page background or nobg to omit it.
delay Wait time before conversion, in an allowed millisecond value from 0 through 10000. A delay can give animations or page content time to settle, but does not guarantee that every dynamic page will finish loading.
scale Scale control included in the API’s full bash sample. Consult the API guide for accepted values and encoding details.

For instance, the documented shell pattern can be extended with settings such as paper, orientation, media, background and delay:

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curl -Gs 'https://pdfapi.screenshotmachine.com' 
  --data-urlencode "key=$CUSTOMER_KEY" 
  --data-urlencode "url=$URL" 
  --data-urlencode 'paper=letter' 
  --data-urlencode 'orientation=portrait' 
  --data-urlencode 'media=screen' 
  --data-urlencode 'bg=bg' 
  --data-urlencode 'delay=1000' 
  > output.pdf

Use a value supported by the API for each parameter. --data-urlencode safely encodes values such as URLs that contain reserved characters. The official guide also describes cookies, an Accept-Language value and a User-Agent value; check its parameter documentation for exact names and encoding requirements before adding them.

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When to use the browser converter instead

ScreenshotMachine also provides a browser-based website-to-PDF converter. It suits a one-off conversion where you prefer browser interaction. Use the API approach when you need to run a repeatable command from a terminal or script.

Troubleshoot common command-line problems

  • The request is rejected or does not authenticate: Check that CUSTOMER_KEY contains your actual customer key, with no extra spaces, and that the request sends it as key.
  • The output is not a PDF or will not open: Confirm the request targets https://pdfapi.screenshotmachine.com, not the image endpoint. Check the response and account for the possibility that an unsuccessful API response was redirected into the file rather than a PDF.
  • The PDF captures an incomplete page: Try an allowed longer delay to let content settle. A delay is not a universal fix for content that requires interaction or fails to load.
  • Query values behave unexpectedly: Use --data-urlencode for the key, URL and other values, especially when they contain reserved characters. Follow the API guide’s encoding requirements for parameter values.
  • A previous file disappeared: Shell redirection with > overwrites an existing destination. Save to a new filename or make a copy before rerunning the command.
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Or skip the browser setup

ScreenshotNeo can return a PDF with one GET request. Its capture options remove cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups and chat widgets before the shot; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts and failed loads are not billed, and cache hits cost nothing. An MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents. The free plan includes 1,000 shots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. See ScreenshotNeo’s API documentation.

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.pdf

ScreenshotNeo supports PDF output as well as PNG, JPEG and WebP. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month, with no card required.

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