Why PDF Export Tools Need Three Validation States, Not Two

A development team building a print-oriented web app found that standard two-state form validation — valid or invalid — was insufficient for safely generating exportable PDFs. They designed a three-state model using statuses of 'pass', 'needs_review', and 'cannot_export' to better reflect real-world document risks. Errors such as missing required fields or overflowing text blocks block export entirely, while warnings like a low-resolution photo allow the user to proceed after acknowledgment. Each flagged issue is tied to a specific section and includes a direct repair link, reducing the burden on users to locate problems manually. The model also validates renderer output and layout geometry, catching structural failures that field-level validators cannot detect.