---
id: rlpycairo
version: "0.4.0"
license: BSD license, Copyright (c) 2000-2022, ReportLab Inc.
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# rlPyCairo — Plugin backend renderer for reportlab.graphics.renderPM

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 1.2M/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

A Cairo-based rendering backend plugin that generates bitmap and vector graphics as an alternative to the legacy libart-based C extension.

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

pip install rlpycairo
uv add rlpycairo
poetry add rlpycairo

## Installing rlPyCairo

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.

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 rendering

Requires pycairo and freetype-py to be available; Python >=3.7 required.

Verify 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: BSD license, Copyright (c) 2000-2022, ReportLab Inc. (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 1.2M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

cairo rendering backend, bitmap vector graphics plugin, pdf graphics rendering, pycairo graphics backend, alternative rendering engine, graphics-rendering, pdf-generation, cairo-backend

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/rlpycairo) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/rlpycairo/)