---
canonical: 'https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/signed-image-urls'
title: 'Signed Image URLs with Create-and-Render | HTML/CSS to Image'
description: 'Create signed image URLs for dynamic Open Graph images, email images, embeds, and programmatic SEO. Render on demand without a separate image API request'
---

# Generate dynamic images from one signed URL

Turn your content and render settings into a signed image URL. Use it in Open Graph metadata, HTML, email, or your application, and HCTI renders the image when it is requested.

## Key capabilities

- No separate POST request
- Renders on demand
- Dynamic OG images

## Use POST for most images

For most integrations, call `POST https://hcti.io/v1/image`, then use the image URL returned by the API. This keeps the image inputs in the request body and fits applications that can make an authenticated request before writing markup.

Use a signed create-and-render URL when markup must already contain the render URL, such as an `og:image` tag, an HTML image source, an email, or a CMS field. When that URL is requested, HCTI creates the image if needed and redirects to its hosted image URL.

```html
<meta property="og:image" content="https://hcti.io/v1/image/create-and-render/..." />
```

## Sign the URL on your server

The signature is derived from the exact query string and your API key. Generate the completed URL in trusted server-side code; never send the API key to browser code.

Query values are signed, not encrypted. Anyone who receives the URL can read any HTML, CSS, webpage URL, template values, and render options encoded in it. Treat those values as public and do not include passwords, access tokens, or other private data.

The official [TypeScript client](https://github.com/htmlcsstoimage/ts-client) and [.NET client](https://github.com/htmlcsstoimage/dotnet-client) accept the same image options as the API and generate the signed URL.

## Storage limitation

Create-and-render cannot be used with a storage destination that has **Disable HCTI Storage** enabled. The endpoint must redirect to a publicly available HCTI image.

## MCP Integration

Connect an MCP-compatible client to `https://mcp.hcti.io` with OAuth. The tools use the connected organization's HTML/CSS to Image account, permissions, and plan limits.

- The `create_image` tool makes an authenticated request for an HTML and CSS image.
- The `create_url_image` tool makes an authenticated request for a webpage screenshot.
- The `create_templated_image` tool makes an authenticated request for a saved template and its values.
- Use those tools or the standard POST endpoint unless the render URL must be written into markup first.

[Read the full MCP docs](https://docs.htmlcsstoimage.com/integrations/mcp/).

## Dynamic images for places that expect a URL

### Open Graph images

Set a signed URL as og:image to generate a unique social preview for each article, product, or landing page.

### Email and embeds

Use the signed URL as a standard image source in HTML email, CMS content, and embedded widgets.

### Server-rendered pages

Build the image URL while rendering the page instead of waiting for a create request and returned image ID.

### Low-code and no-code tools

Use one URL in CMS fields and automation tools that cannot make a separate image API request.

## Related features

- [Batch Images](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/batch-images.md): Generate multiple image variations in one batch API request.
- [URL Screenshots](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/url-screenshots.md): Screenshot any website with one API call.

## Get started

REST API requests require an HTML/CSS to Image account and should be authenticated from trusted application code. Check the API docs and pricing for current setup instructions, limits, and feature availability.

- [View the full feature page](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/signed-image-urls)
- [Browse all features](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features.md)
- [Start free](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/join)
- [View pricing](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/pricing.md)
- [Read the create-and-render docs](https://docs.htmlcsstoimage.com/getting-started/create-and-render/)
- [Read the MCP docs](https://docs.htmlcsstoimage.com/integrations/mcp/)