n8n Workflow: Markdown to Branded PDF with TOC (PDFMint)

Turn Markdown into a branded, numbered PDF—with a working table of contents (TOC)

Send Markdown to this n8n workflow and instantly get back a finished, brand-styled PDF in the same HTTP request—complete with numbered headings, a TOC built from those exact numbers, a cover block (word count + reading time), and your accent color styling via PDFMint.

What this workflow does

• Receives a POST via a webhook containing markdown, title, and an optional author—perfect for automation and AI outputs.
• Configures all settings in one place (using a single Set node), including your brand name, accent colour, page format, whether a table of contents is added, and an optional watermark (e.g., DRAFT).
• Prevents broken renders: if the payload is empty, the workflow returns a readable 422 response instead of generating a one-line PDF.
• Checks PDFMint usage with a credit-free usage operation, and returns a clear explanation if you’ve run out—so rendering doesn’t fail mid-run.
• Transforms content in a Code node: numbers every ## and ### heading, builds the TOC from those exact numbers (so they cannot drift), ignores headings inside fenced code blocks, counts words, estimates reading time, and assembles the cover. It also derives the running header and stylesheet from your accent colour.
• Renders the final PDF with PDFMint using the assembled, branded Markdown (including header and page numbers).

Use cases

• Generate branded release notes or changelogs from an AI agent’s Markdown.
• Publish knowledge-base pages as consistent PDF handouts with TOC and numbering.
• Create internal reports from editor-written Markdown—optionally watermarked as DRAFT.

Technical details

• Webhook (POST input/output in the same HTTP request)
• Set (brand, accent color, format, TOC toggle, watermark)
• Code (heading numbering, TOC generation, cover creation, word count, reading time, styling)
• if (empty payload handling and usage/routing)
• PDFMint via n8n-nodes-pdfmintpdf (credit-free usage + PDF rendering)
• Sticky Note (workflow documentation)