Export to PDF

Resume.lol uses your browser's built-in print functionality to create professional PDF files. This ensures your resume looks exactly as you designed it.

How to Export

Step 1: Open Print Dialog

In the editor, click the Print button in the toolbar, or use your browser's print command:

  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + P
  • Mac: Cmd + P

This will open a new window with your resume formatted for printing.

Step 2: Open Browser Print Dialog

In the print window that appears, use the print command again:

  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + P
  • Mac: Cmd + P

Step 3: Save as PDF

In the print dialog:

  1. Change the destination/printer to "Save as PDF"
  2. Verify the preview looks correct
  3. Click Save or Print
  4. Choose a filename and location

Browser-Specific Instructions

Chrome / Edge / Brave

  1. Click Print button in editor
  2. Press Ctrl/Cmd + P in the print window
  3. Under "Destination", select "Save as PDF"
  4. Click "Save"

Firefox

  1. Click Print button in editor
  2. Press Ctrl/Cmd + P in the print window
  3. In the printer dropdown, select "Save to PDF"
  4. Click "Save"

Safari (Mac)

  1. Click Print button in editor
  2. Press Cmd + P in the print window
  3. Click the "PDF" dropdown in the bottom-left
  4. Select "Save as PDF"
  5. Choose location and save

Print Settings to Check

Before saving, verify these settings in the print dialog:

  • Margins: Set to "None" or "Minimum" (your CSS handles margins)
  • Headers and footers: Turn OFF (remove page numbers, dates, URLs)
  • Background graphics: Turn ON if your CSS uses backgrounds
  • Scale: 100% (do not scale)
  • Pages: Usually "All" (should be 1-2 pages for a resume)

Troubleshooting

Content is Cut Off

If content is cut off at page boundaries:

  • Check your margins in the Settings tab
  • Make sure print dialog margins are set to "None"
  • Add page-break-inside: avoid to elements in your CSS

Wrong Page Size

If the page size looks wrong:

  • Verify the @page size in your Settings tab
  • Make sure it matches your target (letter vs A4)
  • Some browsers may need you to select paper size in print dialog

Colors Look Different

Colors may render differently in PDF:

  • Make sure "Background graphics" is enabled in print settings
  • Test printing from different browsers
  • Consider using simpler color schemes for better compatibility

Fonts Look Different

If fonts don't look right in the PDF:

  • Make sure you're using web-safe or imported Google Fonts
  • Wait a moment after opening print window for fonts to load
  • Try exporting again if fonts didn't load initially

Alternative: Download as ZIP

You can also download your resume source files as a ZIP:

  1. Click the download button in the editor toolbar
  2. You'll get a ZIP file containing:
    • resume.md - Your Markdown content
    • resume.css - Your styles
    • settings.css - Your page settings

This is useful for:

  • Backing up your resume locally
  • Version control with Git
  • Sharing source files with others
  • Using the files in other tools

Tips for Best Results

  • Always preview your resume before exporting
  • Keep your resume to 1-2 pages maximum
  • Test the PDF on different devices to ensure it looks good everywhere
  • Name your PDF professionally: FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
  • Save multiple versions if you customize your resume for different jobs
  • Use the variable system to quickly switch between public and private versions
  • Export both versions if you need them

File Size

Resume PDFs should typically be:

  • Text-only: 50-200 KB
  • With custom fonts: 200-500 KB

If your PDF is larger than 1 MB, consider:

  • Using fewer custom fonts
  • Removing or optimizing any images
  • Simplifying decorative elements

ATS Compatibility

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes. For best compatibility:

  • Use standard fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, or Google Fonts)
  • Avoid tables, text boxes, or complex layouts
  • Use simple, clean formatting
  • Stick to black text on white background
  • The Markdown-to-HTML structure used by resume.lol is ATS-friendly

Your PDF will be searchable and readable by both humans and ATS software.