
Have you ever wondering if you could quickly take a screenshot of a webpage using just a single request?

RenderForm API allows you to not only create images using templates and API but also take a screenshots using REST API.

There are plenty use cases of that:
- Post it on social media
- Make a list of websites
- Detect branding based on colors
- Test or health check your webpage
- Read texts from screen


## How to take a screenshot with API?

Generate your API key in RenderForm by signing up to the system. Get the API key from your account section and then you can make a request like below.

```shell
curl
    --location
    --request POST 'https://api.renderform.io/api/v1/screenshots' \
    --header 'X-API-KEY: <API_KEY>' \
    --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    --data-raw '{
        "url": "https://renderform.io"
        "width": 1366,
        "height": 768,
    }'
```

RenderForm API will respond after a couple of seconds with link where you can download the screenshot. Example successful response is shown below.

```json
{
  "requestId": "ed39c85ac41f4c54b95e4caaad4ebff8",
  "href": "https://cdn.renderform.io/.../image.png",
  "request": {
    "width": 1366,
    "height": 768,
    "url": "https://renderform.io"
  }
}
```

## Screenshot API parameters

As you seen above we passed `url` of the website, `width` and `height` of the screenshot. These parameters are required but you can add more options:

- `url` (required) - website URL of which RenderForm should take a screenshot
- `height` (required) - screenshot height
- `width` (required) - screenshot width,
- `waitTime` (optional) - add wait time in milliseconds before taking a screenshot, available values from `500` to `5000`
- `webhookUrl` (optional) - send response to the given webhookUrl as POST request

## Does it integrate with other tools?

Yes! RenderForm is integrated with Zapier and Make.com (Integromat). Soon we will add more integrations like n8n.io. Please also notice that
every request supports a webhook. Taking a screenshot takes time because it's very resource demanding and complex process for servers.
You can pass a URL in `webhookUrl` field, thanks to that RenderForm API will accept your request and immediately
 return you a response. Once RenderForm finish processing your request a new request will be sent to the given URL in `webhookUrl`.


Taking screenshots using REST API


**Image generation** is the process of creating visuals using automated tools, often based on a predefined template. Instead of designing graphics manually every time, image generation lets you reuse layouts and update only the dynamic parts like text, colors, or images.

Design software like Photoshop or Canva is great for one-off projects. But when it comes to creating hundreds of consistent, branded images, **automation** becomes essential. Tools like **RenderForm** make it easy to design once and generate unlimited variations using data from APIs or no-code platforms like Zapier, Make, or Google Sheets.

> RenderForm is built for speed, control, and consistency. Unlike AI art tools that rely on prompt engineering and randomness, it generates exact results based on your template. It's ideal for marketing, personalization, or bulk content creation.

## 1. Build a template with the editor

Start with the [RenderForm Template Editor](/docs/general/template-editor/). It works like a simple design tool: drag in text, image placeholders, or shapes, and arrange them however you like.

![Online Editor for Image Generation](/blog/simple-online-design-editor.jpeg)

### Set image fit

For image placeholders, choose how the image should behave inside the container. Click on any image and use the panel on the right to adjust the "Image Fit" option:

- `Cover` fills the entire space, cropping the edges if needed.
- `Contain` keeps the full image visible, even if it doesn't fill the entire space. Best for logos or product photos.

![Image fit options](/blog/image-fit-options.jpeg)

### Resize text areas

Text auto-scales to fit its container, but large or dynamic content might need extra space. Set the **width** and **height** manually to avoid clipping and keep everything legible.

Additionally, you can adjust the **dynamic font size limits** to ensure text remains readable across different lengths. This is especially useful for names, titles, or descriptions that vary in size.

![Text font size settings](/blog/text-font-size-settings.jpeg)

### Align text precisely

In the side panel, scroll to the Alignment section to define how text should wrap or stretch. This is useful for things like dynamic names, titles, or product descriptions that vary in length.

![Text alignment](/blog/text-component-alignment.jpeg)

## 2. Connect data to generate images

Once the layout is ready, it's time to connect it with data. You can use [RenderForm's REST API](/image-generation-api/) directly, or connect to platforms like:

- [Zapier](https://zapier.com/mcp/renderform) - Trigger image generation from forms, CRMs, or other tools
- [Make (Integromat)](https://www.make.com/en/integrations/bannerly) - Link multiple services and schedule image creation
- [Google Sheets](/blog/posts/how-to-create-many-images-from-spreadsheet) - Use spreadsheet rows as input for bulk image creation
- [Airtable](https://airtable.com/marketplace/blkKg8IYzQuTV6ZH3/render-form) - Generate images from Airtable records
- [Custom scripts](/docs/api/get-started) - Send image generation requests using your own backend

![Layout plus Data equals your image](/blog/image-generation-api.jpg)

The key is simple: update specific components in your template using a property format like this:

```
yourComponentId.property=value
```

Example:

```
headline.text=Summer Sale Ends Tonight!
```

This tells RenderForm exactly what to change inside the template. You can change text, image sources, colors, and more. See the full list of properties in the [template properties guide](/docs/general/template-properties/).

![Example of generated image from Image Generation API](/blog/example-of-generated-image-from-image-generation-api.jpg)

RenderForm processes the data and generates your final image instantly, ready to be used anywhere.

## Common use cases

Image generation isn't just about saving time, it unlocks new ways to deliver content with precision and consistency. Here are a few practical examples:

- **E-commerce**: Generate product images with live pricing, stock levels, or promo tags
- **Marketing**: Create personalized banners for ads, email, or landing pages
- **Social Media**: Automate quote cards, announcements, or seasonal visuals
- **Hiring**: Share branded job posts or team intro graphics for new hires
- **Events**: Generate speaker cards, schedules, or reminder graphics from spreadsheets or databases

Every visual stays on-brand, with no manual editing required.

## Why use RenderForm?

RenderForm helps teams produce image content faster without sacrificing quality or control. Design a layout once, then use automation to create thousands of variations with zero manual work.

Key benefits:

- ✅ Predictable, design-safe results
- ⚙️ API and no-code integration options
- 🎨 Full control over layout and visual style
- 📊 Perfect for personalized or data-driven visuals
- ⏱ Real-time generation—no delays

With RenderForm, visual automation becomes part of your workflow. No need to guess what the final image will look like; just send your data, and get exactly what you designed.



What is Image Generation?


## How RenderForm started

Like many creators, I found myself constantly delayed when publishing content, not because the writing wasn't ready, but because I needed a matching image for the blog post, social share, or newsletter.

Designing each graphic manually takes time. Not everyone on a team has access to design tools, and even fewer know how to use them well. Most CMS platforms don't automate image creation, which means you are stuck waiting or doing it yourself.

That's where the idea for **RenderForm.io** was born.

## So, what is RenderForm.io?

**RenderForm.io is an online design editor combined with a powerful image automation API.**
It helps you generate consistent, branded visuals—at scale—without needing Photoshop or Figma. Think of it like a Canva you can control with data and logic.

![Online Editor for Image Generation](/blog/simple-online-design-editor.jpeg)

Whether you're generating blog banners, social media graphics, ads, e-commerce previews, or personalized images for email marketing, RenderForm does the heavy lifting.

## Why RenderForm is different

The real strength of RenderForm lies in **automation**. 

Once you've designed a template, you can feed it new content: text, colors, images, even QR codes; and generate **hundreds or thousands of variations** in seconds.

Here's how it works:
- Create a base layout (your template) in the editor
- Connect your data source (Google Sheets, Airtable, etc.)
- Use tools like Zapier, Make, or direct API calls to generate images on demand

![Layout plus Data equals your image](/blog/image-generation-api.jpg)

RenderForm integrates easily with **popular no-code platforms** like:

- [Zapier](https://zapier.com) -  trigger image generation from 5,000+ apps
- [Make.com](https://make.com) - build detailed no-code workflows
- [Airtable](https://airtable.com) - connect your data-rich tables to templates
- [Rows.com](https://rows.com) - spreadsheets with built-in automation
- [Google Sheets, Excel, Apple Numbers](/blog/posts/how-to-create-many-images-from-spreadsheet) - update images directly from spreadsheets

![no-code automation for image generation](/blog/no-code-banner-automation.png)

## Use cases: What can you automate with RenderForm?

RenderForm is built for teams who repeat design work across different products, languages, campaigns, or data contexts. Here are some ways people are using it today:

- **Marketing automation** - generate ad banners, social graphics, and landing page thumbnails
- **Certificates and awards** - create personalized certificates for events, courses, or achievements
- **Blog image generation** - automate multilingual covers or branded archive updates
- **E-commerce** - create product previews, pricing graphics, or seasonal image variations
- **Social media management** - auto-post personalized visuals with scheduling tools
- **Personalized emails** - send unique header images based on user behavior or interests
- **Event promotion** - generate speaker cards, countdowns, or shareable invite images
- **QR code or barcode assets** - automatically generate and style codes per entry
- **Print-on-demand** - create postcard templates or product labels dynamically

📈 Fun fact: Many teams using automation tools like RenderForm report significantly faster campaign turnaround times—and far less time spent on repetitive design tasks.

## Where to start?

Ready to try it out? It takes just a minute to [create a free RenderForm account](/register/).

Once inside, you will find:
- ✅ A simple design editor
- ✅ Built-in automation tutorials
- ✅ [API documentation](/docs/api/get-started) for developers
- ✅ Sample templates to get you started fast

## TL;DR: Automate your image creation

If you've ever copied and pasted text into a graphic tool 100 times, you will know the pain RenderForm solves. With a few clicks, or a few lines of code, you can generate dynamic, personalized visuals at scale.

**Stop wasting time on repetitive design tasks.**
Let RenderForm.io help you automate the boring parts, and scale your content like never before.


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Integrately

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Mailchimp

Airtable Extension

Google Sheets

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Taking screenshots using REST API

What is Image Generation?

What is RenderForm? Scale your image creation with automation