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14.15. Set Paper Size, Margins, Preview, and PDF Output
Choose paper size, margins, print-safe spacing, and preview settings so invoice PDFs render cleanly for clients.
Invoice layouts are ultimately used as client-facing documents. Even if most clients view invoices digitally, the layout should still render cleanly as a PDF and print properly when needed.
When no component is selected in the designer, the inspector shows page setup controls.
Figure 1: Page setup controls define the paper preset and margins used by the invoice layout.
Paper presets
Choose the paper size that matches your normal client delivery.
| Preset | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Letter | Most common for US-based MSPs and clients. |
| A4 | Common for international clients and regions that use A4 business documents. |
| Legal | Use only when your invoice format requires extra vertical space and clients expect legal-size documents. |
For most MSPs, Letter or A4 is the right choice.
Margins
Margins keep content away from the edge of the page. Good margins prevent clipping in PDFs and printed copies.
Guidelines:
- keep enough space around the page for printing;
- avoid placing totals or payment instructions too close to the bottom edge;
- use preview to check whether long tables push content outside the expected area;
- use consistent margins across layouts unless a client-specific document requires otherwise.
Digital and PDF review
Preview the layout before using it for a real invoice.
Check:
- the logo is visible and not distorted;
- text is readable at normal zoom;
- table columns fit the page;
- totals remain inside the page area;
- long descriptions wrap cleanly;
- page margins look balanced;
- no component overlaps another component.
Sample versus existing invoice preview
Use sample preview data while designing. Use an existing invoice when you need to confirm the layout against real billing complexity.
| Preview source | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Sample | Fast design checks and basic rendering validation. |
| Existing invoice | Final review with actual client, line-item, tax, and service-period data. |
PDF-safe checklist
Before assigning or making a layout default:
- preview with a simple invoice and a detailed invoice;
- test invoices with long descriptions;
- test invoices with several line items;
- verify totals and footer placement;
- download or generate a PDF if available in your workflow;
- have billing staff review the PDF as the client would see it.