Convert PDF to Images in Python (PNG, JPG, BMP, SVG, TIFF)

Python examples to render PDF to PNG, JPG, BMP, SVG, and TIFF images

Converting PDF files to images in Python is a common need for developers and professionals working with digital documents. Whether you want to generate thumbnails, create previews, extract specific content areas, or prepare files for printing, transforming a PDF into image formats gives you flexibility and compatibility across platforms.

This comprehensive guide demonstrates how to convert PDF files into popular image formats—such as PNG, JPG, BMP, SVG, and TIFF—in Python, using practical, easy-to-follow code examples.

Why Convert PDF to Image
Python PDF-to-Image Converter Library
Simple PDF to PNG, JPG, and BMP Conversion
Advanced Conversion Options
- Enable Transparent Image Background
- Crop Specific PDF Areas to Image
Generate Multi-Page TIFF from PDF
Export PDF as SVG
Conclusion
FAQs

Why Convert PDF to Image?

Converting PDF to image formats offers several benefits:

Cross-platform compatibility: Images are easier to embed in web pages, mobile apps, or presentations.
Preview and thumbnail generation: Quickly create page snapshots without rendering the full PDF.
Selective content extraction: Save specific areas of a PDF as images for focused analysis or reuse.
Simplified sharing: Images can be easily emailed, uploaded, or displayed without special PDF readers.

Python PDF-to-Image Converter Library

Spire.PDF for Python is a powerful and easy-to-use library designed for handling PDF files. It enables developers to convert PDF pages into multiple image formats like PNG, JPG, BMP, SVG, and TIFF with excellent quality and performance.

PDF to Image Library for Python

Installation

You can easily install the library using pip. Simply open your terminal and run the following command:

pip install Spire.PDF

Simple PDF to PNG, JPG, and BMP Conversion

The SaveAsImage method of the PdfDocument class allows you to render each page of a PDF into an image format of your choice.

The code example below demonstrates how to load a PDF file, iterate through its pages, and save each one as a PNG image. You can easily adjust the file format to JPG or BMP by changing the file extension.

from spire.pdf import *

# Load the PDF file
pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("template.pdf")

# Loop through pages and save as images
for i in range(pdf.Pages.Count):
    # Convert each page to image
    with pdf.SaveAsImage(i) as image:
        
        # Save in different formats as needed
        image.Save(f"Output/ToImage_{i}.png")
        # image.Save(f"Output/ToImage_{i}.jpg")
        # image.Save(f"Output/ToImage_{i}.bmp")

# Close the PDF document
pdf.Close()

Python: Convert PDF to Images (JPG, PNG, BMP)

Advanced Conversion Options

Enable Transparent Image Background

Transparent backgrounds help integrate images seamlessly into designs, avoiding unwanted borders or background colors.

To enable a transparent background during PDF-to-image conversion in Python, use the SetPdfToImageOptions() method with an alpha value of 0. This setting ensures that the background of the output image is fully transparent.

The following example demonstrates how to export each PDF page as a transparent PNG image.

from spire.pdf import *

# Load PDF document from file
pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("template.pdf")

# Set the transparent value of the image's background to 0
pdf.ConvertOptions.SetPdfToImageOptions(0)

# Loop through all pages and save each as an image
for i in range(pdf.Pages.Count):
    # Convert each page to an image
    with pdf.SaveAsImage(i) as image:
        # Save the image to the output directory
        image.Save(f"Output/ToImage_{i}_transparent.png")

# Close the PDF document
pdf.Close()

Note: Transparency is supported in PNG but not in JPG or BMP formats.

Crop Specific PDF Areas to Image

In some cases, you may only need to export a specific area of a PDF page—such as a chart, table, or block of text. This can be done by adjusting the page’s CropBox before rendering.

The CropBox property defines the visible region of the page used for display and printing. By setting it to a specific RectangleF(x, y, width, height) value, you can isolate and export only the desired portion of the content.

The example below demonstrates how to crop a rectangular area on the first page of a PDF and save that section as a PNG image.

from spire.pdf import *

# Load the PDF document from file
pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("Sample.pdf")

# Access the first page of the PDF
page = pdf.Pages[0]

# Define the crop area of the page using a rectangle (x, y, width, height)
page.CropBox = RectangleF(0.0, 300.0, 600.0, 260.0)

# Convert the cropped page to an image
with pdf.SaveAsImage(0) as image:
    # Save the image to a PNG file
    image.Save("Output/CropPDFSaveAsImage.png")
    
# Close the PDF document
pdf.Close()

Note: You need to adjust the coordinates based on the location of your target content. Coordinates start from the top-left corner of the page.

Python example to crop PDF page area to image

Generate Multi-Page TIFF from PDF

The TIFF format supports multi-page documents, making it a popular choice for archival and printing purposes. Although Spire.PDF for Python doesn't natively create multi-page TIFFs, you can render individual pages as images and then use the Pillow library to merge them into one .tiff file.

Before proceeding, ensure Pillow is installed by running:

pip install Pillow

The following example illustrates how to:

Load a PDF
Convert each page to an image
Combine all images into a single multi-page TIFF

from spire.pdf import *

from PIL import Image
from io import BytesIO

# Load the PDF document from file
pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("Input.pdf")

# Create an empty list to store PIL Images
images = []

# Iterate through all pages in the document
for i in range(pdf.Pages.Count):

    # Convert a specific page to an image stream
    with pdf.SaveAsImage(i) as imageData:

        # Open the image stream as a PIL image
        img = Image.open(BytesIO(imageData.ToArray())) 

        # Append the PIL image to list
        images.append(img)

# Save the PIL Images as a multi-page TIFF file
images[0].save("Output/ToTIFF.tiff", save_all=True, append_images=images[1:])

# Dispose resources
pdf.Dispose()

Python example to generate multi-page TIFF from PDF

It’s also possible to convert TIFF files back to PDF. For detailed instructions on it, please refer to the tutorial: Python: Convert PDF to TIFF and TIFF to PDF.

Export PDF as SVG

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an ideal format for content that requires scaling without quality loss, such as charts, vector illustrations, and technical diagrams.

By using the SaveToFile() method with the FileFormat.SVG option, you can export PDF pages as SVG files. This conversion preserves the vector characteristics of the content, making it well-suited for web embedding, responsive design, and further editing in vector graphic tools.

The following example demonstrates how to export an entire PDF document to SVG format.

from spire.pdf import *

# Load the PDF document from file
pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("Example.pdf")

# Save each page of the file to a separate SVG file
pdf.SaveToFile("PdfToSVG/ToSVG.svg", FileFormat.SVG)

# Close the PdfDocument object
pdf.Close()

Note: Each page in the PDF will be saved as a separate SVG file named ToSVG_i.svg, where i is the page number (1-based).

To export specific pages or customize the SVG output size, please refer to our detailed guide: Python: Convert PDF to SVG.

Conclusion

Converting PDF to images in formats like PNG, JPG, BMP, SVG, and TIFF provides flexibility for sharing, displaying, and processing digital documents. With Spire.PDF for Python, you can:

Export high-quality images from PDFs in various formats
Crop specific regions for focused content extraction
Generate multi-page TIFF files for archival purposes
Create scalable SVG vector graphics for diagrams and charts

By automating PDF to image conversion in Python, you can seamlessly integrate image export into your applications and workflows.

FAQs

Q1: Can I convert a range of pages from a PDF to images?

A1: Yes. You can convert specific pages by specifying their indices in a loop. For example, to export pages 1 to 3:

# Convert only pages 1-3
for i in range(0, 3):  # 0-based index
    with pdf.SaveAsImage(i) as img:
        img.Save(f"page_{i}.png")

Q2: Can I batch convert multiple PDF files to images?

A2: Yes, batch conversion is supported. You can iterate through a list of PDF file paths and convert each one within a loop.

pdf_files = ["a.pdf", "b.pdf", "c.pdf"]
for file in pdf_files:
    pdf = PdfDocument()
    pdf.LoadFromFile(file)
    for i in range(pdf.Pages.Count):
        with pdf.SaveAsImage(i) as img:
            img.Save(f"{file}_page_{i}.png")

Q3: Is it possible to convert password-protected PDFs to images?

A3: Yes, you can convert secured PDFs to images as long as you provide the correct password when loading the PDF document.

pdf = PdfDocument()
pdf.LoadFromFile("protected.pdf", "password")

Q4: Is it possible to extract embedded images from a PDF instead of rendering pages?

A4: Yes. Aside from rendering entire pages, the library also supports extracting images directly from the PDF.

Get a Free License

To fully experience the capabilities of Spire.PDF for Python without any evaluation limitations, you can request a free 30-day trial license.