How do I integrate an image automation API with n8n?

There are two ways to connect in n8n. The simplest is the dedicated Templated node, a verified node built and maintained by Templated. The other is the generic HTTP Request node. For most workflows the dedicated node is the better choice, since you pick actions from a menu instead of building requests by hand.

Method 1: The Templated node (recommended)

The Templated node is a verified n8n integration, so once an instance owner installs it, anyone on the instance can use it. Add the node to your workflow, connect your Templated account, and choose an action. Available actions include:

• Create a Render, to generate an image, video, or PDF from a template
• Merge Renders, to combine multiple renders into a single PDF
• Retrieve a Render, to get the details of a specific render
• List and manage templates, layers, and pages

You select the template and map your data into the layers using values from earlier steps in the workflow. The node handles the request and returns the rendered file, so there is no need to write the API call yourself.

Method 2: The HTTP Request node

If you prefer to call the API directly, or need an action the node does not cover, use n8n's HTTP Request node. Configure a POST request to the render endpoint, add your API key in the headers, and put the template ID and layer values in the body as JSON. This is the manual equivalent of the Create a Render action.

Which method to use

Use the Templated node for most cases, since it is faster to set up and keeps your workflow readable. Use the HTTP Request node when you want full manual control or need to combine several calls in a custom way.

A typical workflow

A common setup uses a trigger, such as a new row in a sheet or a new record from another app, then a Create a Render step that fills a template with that data, then a final step that stores or posts the finished file. Because n8n is self-hostable and open source, it suits teams that want to run their automation on their own infrastructure.