README.md
A simple npm package to generate placeholder images for web design and development.
- Generate placeholder images of specified width, height, and background color.
- Add optional text labels with customizable color and font size (basic support).
- Returns placeholder images as data URIs for easy embedding into
imgtags. - Optionally save placeholder images as files.
npm install tend-image-placeholderSpeeding up design: Placeholders let designers quickly outline the visual structure of web pages or apps without needing the final images. This focuses development on layout and functionality early on.
Content visualization: Placeholders can represent different image types (e.g., product photos, user avatars), aiding the overall content flow even before assets are ready.
Improved perceived loading speed: Instead of blank spaces where images will go, placeholders create a more fluid user experience as the rest of the content loads.
Layout preservation: Placeholders ensure that the layout doesn't dramatically shift when images finally load, preventing content jumping which can be disruptive.
Handling missing or slow images: If images fail to load, or are very slow, placeholders provide a fallback that isn't jarring for the user.
Clear structure for editors: Placeholders in a CMS give editors a defined space for images. This ensures proper image sizing and the overall visual consistency of a website.
Product visualization: Before product photos are available, placeholders with standard dimensions prevent layout issues and give potential customers a better sense of an item's expected appearance.
const tend = require('tend-image-placeholder');
tend.generatePlaceholder(300, 200, '#0099FF', 'white', 'Hello!')
.then(dataUri => {
const img = document.createElement('img');
img.src = dataUri;
document.body.appendChild(img);
});// ... (add library for file system access - e.g., const fs = require('fs'))
tend.generatePlaceholder(500, 350, '#ccc')
.then(imageBuffer => {
fs.writeFile('placeholder.png', imageBuffer, (err) => {
if (err) throw err;
console.log('Placeholder image saved as placeholder.png');
});
});const placeholderService = require('image-placeholder-service');
placeholderService.generatePlaceholder(300, 200, '#0099FF', 'white', 'Hello!')
.then(dataUri => {
const img = document.createElement('img');
img.src = dataUri;
document.body.appendChild(img);
});The generatePlaceholder function accepts the following parameters:
-
width: Image width (pixels) -
height: Image height (pixels) -
backgroundColor: Background color (hex code or color name) -
textColor: Text color (hex code or color name) -
text: Optional text to superimpose on the image
| Feature | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Specify image width and height in pixels | generatePlaceholder(400, 250, ...) |
| Background Color | Set background color using hex codes or common color names |
generatePlaceholder(..., '#FF8C00', ...) generatePlaceholder(..., 'lightblue', ...)
|
| Text Overlay | Optionally add text to the image | generatePlaceholder(..., '#000', 'white', 'Sample Text') |
| Text Color | Customize text color with hex codes or color names | generatePlaceholder(..., '#fff', 'red', ...) |
| Output Format | Get image as a data URI (for direct embedding) or save as a file (.png, etc.) | See "Usage" sections in README |
While you could implement placeholders manually, npm packages offer:
Convenience: Ready-made solutions save you time on coding basic placeholder functionality Customization: Many packages allow you to tweak colors, text, and integration with image services. Advanced Features: Some packages provide more sophisticated placeholder types (like BlurHash) for better user experience.
Contributions are welcome! Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests.
MIT