Squarespace, by default, doesn’t provide a way to display PDF files directly on your site. Instead, PDFs are uploaded and linked, opening in a new browser tab with limited control over the viewing experience.

Lightbox Studio changes this by introducing versatile PDF viewers tailored for Squarespace users. Whether you want a minimalist approach or a fully branded display, there’s an option for you.

How to Get Started

Before we dive into the details, here’s what you’ll need:

Upload your PDF to Squarespace.
Install and activate the Lightbox Studio plugin.
Link the uploaded PDF to to a link, ensure the Open in new tab option is unchecked

Once you're set up, you can choose from a variety of viewer styles to match your preferences. For more detail step-by-step, check this tutorial.

Squarespace PDF viewer options

Lightbox Studio offers a range of Squarespace PDF viewers, each designed to fit specific needs. To help you choose the best one for your Squarespace site, here’s a detailed look at what each viewer provides, along with screenshots to guide your decision.

Basic Viewer

The Basic Viewer uses Google Drive’s Document Viewer to display documents with minimal setup. It works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile without requiring customizations. However, it can sometimes take multiple attempts to load a file successfully. This is a great option if you need something lightweight and straightforward.

Native Viewer

This viewer leverages your browser’s built-in PDF viewer for displaying files. Its appearance can vary significantly depending on the browser and operating system. While it works well on desktops, some mobile browsers often lack native PDF viewers, which can lead to inconsistent behavior.

Standard Viewer

The Standard Viewer is powered by Firefox’s default PDF viewer, making it the most consistent and versatile option available. It supports both light and dark themes, offering full control over the appearance and features like zoom, bookmarks, and view modes. If you’re looking for a reliable and customizable solution, this viewer is an excellent choice.

Standard viewer is the default Squarespace PDF viewer when you install Lightbox Studio

Express Viewer

The Express Viewer takes the core functionality of the Standard Viewer and adds a touch of elegance with a simplified, stylized layout. While it doesn’t offer the same level of customization, it’s ideal for showcasing projects that need a polished, professional look without the complexity.

Fusion Viewer

An alternate take on the PDF Viewer, Fusion offers a polished, professional look with support for both light and dark themes. While it shares the core functionality of other viewers, its tailored appearance makes it ideal for presenting PDFs in a visually refined way. Fusion is perfect for Squarespace users looking to elevate their document presentation with minimal effort.

Squarespace PDF Viewer Functionalities

Each Squarespace PDF viewer in Lightbox Studio is designed to provide essential features that make viewing and interacting with PDFs seamless and user-friendly. Here's what you can expect:

Download and Print Options: Quickly save or print documents directly from the viewer.
Zoom Controls: Adjust the document's size for better readability or a detailed view.
Bookmarks Bar: Navigate efficiently through large documents with built-in bookmarks.
Flexible Page Layouts: Switch between single-page, two-page, or continuous scrolling views for tailored reading experiences.
Responsive Navigation: Smooth transitions between pages ensure a hassle-free experience on both desktop and mobile devices.

Note: While the download feature can be disabled in the viewer, this does not fully prevent users from accessing the file through other methods. If your goal is to secure your PDF files, consider hosting them on a service designed for document protection.

Unlimited Bandwidth for Embedding PDFs in Squarespace

Currently, Squarespace does not natively support embedding PDFs. Instead, uploaded files can only be linked for users to open or download. Lightbox Studio overcomes this limitation by proxying the PDF through Beyondspace infrastructure, enabling seamless PDF pop-ups.

This service is provided at no additional cost. However, if heavy usage or a large number of files leads to increased traffic, it may result in burst traffic and potential service disruptions.

For users with substantial file storage needs or significant traffic, alternative methods for proxying PDFs may be necessary. Here are some options:

Imgix: Free for up to 1,000 files and 100GB of traffic.
ImageKit or Gumlet: Unlimited files, with traffic limits ranging from 25GB to 30GB.

If unlimited bandwidth is a priority, the Basic Viewer is a viable option. This viewer is powered by Google and operates independently of Beyondspace infrastructure. However, it has limitations: the features are minimal, and it may take multiple attempts to load successfully.

Feature Comparison at a Glance

For quick reference, here’s a table summarizing the differences between the viewers:

Viewer	Description	Supported Themes	Customizations
Basic	Uses Google Drive Viewer. Minimal bandwidth impact but may require several tries to display.	Not available	None
Native	Utilizes the browser’s native PDF viewer, with appearance varying by browser.	Not available	None
Standard	Uses Firefox’s default PDF viewer, providing a consistent look.	Light, Dark	Most customizable option
Express	A stylized version of the Standard viewer, though customization options are limited.	Light, Dark	Limited
Fusion	Similar to Express, with extra display tweaks for a unique viewing experience.	Light, Dark	Limited

Customizing Viewers with URL Parameters

Lightbox Studio offers extensive customization through Lightboxify URLs, allowing you to fine-tune your Squarespace PDF viewer experience.

Parameter	Options	Description
viewer	`basic`, `native`, `standard`, `express`, `fusion`	Choose the desired Squarespace PDF viewer style.
theme	`light`, `dark`	Switch the viewer's color theme. Available for all viewers except Basic and Native.
lightboxify	`true`, `false`	Set to `false` or `0` to open the PDF in a new tab instead of the lightbox. By default, it opens in a lightbox.
width	`1200`	Set default width of the viewer, default is 1200
height	`1200`	Set default height of the viewer, default is 1200

How to use URL Parameters

URL parameters begin with a question mark (?), followed by the parameter and its value. For example:

/s/file.pdf?viewer=basic

If you are adding multiple parameters to the same embed code, separate them with ampersands (&). For example:

/s/file.pdf?viewer=standard&theme=light

In this configuration:

viewer=standard use the Firefox standard PDF viewer for the PDF
theme=light use the light theme for the viewer

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is a Squarespace PDF viewer?

Squarespace doesn’t natively support embedding PDFs directly into pages. Instead, it allows users to upload and link PDFs, which then open in a new tab. Lightbox Studio changes this by offering versatile viewer options that display PDFs seamlessly within your Squarespace site.

Question: How do I embed a PDF in Squarespace using Lightbox Studio?

Simply link the uploaded PDF to a link, ensuring the "Open in new tab" option is unchecked. Lightbox Studio takes care of the rest, offering different viewer styles for optimal display. More embed options can be found in this post

Question: Can I prevent users from downloading my PDF files?

Lightbox Studio allows you to disable the download option in the viewer. However, this does not entirely stop users from finding other ways to download the file. If protecting your PDFs is critical, consider hosting them on secure document services designed for such purposes.

Question: What customization options do Lightbox Studio viewers offer?

Depending on the viewer you choose, you can customize themes (light/dark), layouts, and even the viewer size using URL parameters. The Standard Viewer, Express Viewer, and Fusion Viewer offer varying degrees of customization.

Question: Is there a limit to the number of PDFs I can embed?

No, Lightbox Studio uses uploaded PDFs to your Squarespace, meaning you can create as many as PDF viewers as you want. However, the proxying service for embedding relies on Beyondspace infrastructure, and heavy usage or high traffic may require alternative methods such as using a third-party CDN like Imgix or ImageKit.

Question: How does the bandwidth usage work for embedded PDFs?

Embedding PDFs through Lightbox Studio is bandwidth-friendly and provided at no extra cost. For extremely high traffic or large-scale usage, Lightbox Studio offers guidance on using external services to handle the load.

Question: What is the Lightboxify URL parameter, and how can I use it?

Lightboxify URL parameters allow you to fine-tune the behavior and appearance of your embedded PDF viewers. You can specify the viewer type, theme, dimensions, and more. For example:

/s/file.pdf?viewer=standard&theme=light

Question: Will Lightbox Studio work on mobile devices?

Yes, all Squarespace PDF viewers in Lightbox Studio are designed to be mobile-friendly. However, some styles, like the Native Viewer, depend on the browser’s built-in PDF support, which may not be consistent across mobile devices.

Question: Can I switch between viewer styles for different PDFs?

Absolutely! You can assign different viewers to each PDF by using the appropriate URL parameters, allowing you to mix and match styles to suit your needs.

Final Thoughts

Lightbox Studio provides a robust way to handle PDFs on Squarespace, catering to different needs and styles. Pairing visual flexibility with customization through URL parameters ensures your visitors have an optimized viewing experience.

What’s your favorite viewer style? Let us know how you’re using Lightbox Studio for your Squarespace site!

Exploring Squarespace PDF viewer options in Lightbox Studio