rlPyCairo
Plugin backend renderer for reportlab.graphics.renderPM
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are already using the subject package's ecosystem and encounter issues with the default backend on complex documents. Low install friction and permissive licensing make it a low-risk alternative. However, maintenance is aging (364 days since last release) and text rendering may be slower. Not necessary if your current setup works well.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires pycairo and freetype-py to be available; Python >=3.7 required.
- Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution.
- Maintenance status is aging—last release was 364 days ago—but the package remains functional for its intended purpose.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — BSD license (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; no copyleft obligations.
last release 2025-08-15 (364 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,235,484 downloads/mo, #4,176 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install rlpycairo
import rlpycairo
# Configure backend via environment or config file before rendering- Current performance characteristics for text rendering and scaled image handling compared to the original backend.
- Whether the package is actively maintained or in maintenance-only mode given the 364-day gap since last release.
- Full feature parity and compatibility scope with the libart-based backend it replaces.
What it is and what it does
rlPyCairo is a plugin backend that provides an alternative rendering path using pycairo and freetype-py instead of the legacy libart-based C extension. It constructs rich PDF documents and creates charts in bitmap and vector formats. The plugin is intended to replace most usage of the older backend, which has shown issues when rendering complex documents.
The package depends on pycairo and freetype-py for core rendering and font handling. According to its documentation, it handles most of the same behavior as the original backend but has known limitations in scaled image rendering and text drawing speed. Advanced Cairo features like transparency and patterns are not yet exposed, though the authors note these may be added in the future.
Use it for
- Replace the legacy backend when it fails on complex documents requiring bitmap or vector rendering.
- Generate graphics on systems where the original C extension is unavailable or problematic.
- Render documents to bitmap formats when the standard backend has compatibility issues.
- Provide an alternative rendering option for tools that need cross-platform stability.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are already using the subject package's ecosystem and encounter issues with the default backend on complex documents.
Low install friction and permissive licensing make it a low-risk alternative. However, maintenance is aging (364 days since last release) and text rendering may be slower. Not necessary if your current setup works well.
Install
rlpycairo on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution. Maintenance status is aging—last release was 364 days ago—but the package remains functional for its intended purpose.
Requires pycairo and freetype-py to be available; Python >=3.7 required.
License in practice
BSD license (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; no copyleft obligations.
Quickstart
pip install rlpycairo
import rlpycairo
# Configure backend via environment or config file before renderingVerify before relying
- Current performance characteristics for text rendering and scaled image handling compared to the original backend.
- Whether the package is actively maintained or in maintenance-only mode given the 364-day gap since last release.
- Full feature parity and compatibility scope with the libart-based backend it replaces.
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagespycairofreetype-py |
| Maintenance | Aging 364 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,235,484 / month, #4,176 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 2 - Pre-AlphaEnvironment :: Web EnvironmentIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Utilities |
Evidence: rlpycairo-0.4.0-py3-none-any.whl
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