html (via php) or pdf?

Gondwana

I have read a lot about the subject, but still can not figure out what is the best option.

I generate a product catalogue via php/mysql for which I control the page layout very well. The client also wants a full catalogue with all the products in a printable version. My only major problem in html is the control of the page breaks (I just want to a insert page breaks before each product) and in some extend the TOC. Another nice thing would be to have a pdf template with header & footer in which I could insert my html pages.

Is this possible in any way without going the pdf route?

The other option is to create a pdf file. Two possibilities here : either convert the html page to pdf (but then what about the page break) or use a class to create the pdf from scratch (but this is a big job)?

My best guess is to make a php script to
0/ open the default final pdf page that contains the cover...
1/ open the pdf template containing the header/footer for each page
2/ create the html temp file for product 1
3/ convert that html temp file to pdf and insert it on the pdf template in the final pdf page
4/ add a page break to final pdf page
5/ loop for all products
6/ create the TOC
7/ add the TOC at the end of the final pdf page
8/ also add the order/legal info at the end of final pdf page
9/ send the final pdf page to the browser

Is that the best way to do it? Can anyone share some experience on the subject?

SamC

Would it be acceptable to use a seperate style sheet for printing? Look at this for page break realted stuff and have a look at this too. This way you could generate an HTML file, but style it in a suitable manner for printing.

I hope this is helpful to you

Gondwana

Yes this works fine. I had the impression I tried this a while ago but it was not working. Anyway this is very simple and works both on Mac Safari & PC IE.

Where is the catch? What should I need to convert to PDF if I can control the page break?

Thanks a lot SamC