In JAX-RS, for pdf file, annotate the method with @Produces("application/pdf")
:
- Put @Produces(“application/pdf”) on service method.
- Set “Content-Disposition” in Response header to prompt a download box.
1. Download Pdf file in JAX-RS
Full example to download a pdf file from JAX-RS.
import java.io.File; import javax.ws.rs.GET; import javax.ws.rs.Path; import javax.ws.rs.Produces; import javax.ws.rs.core.Response; import javax.ws.rs.core.Response.ResponseBuilder; @Path("/pdf") public class PdfService { private static final String FILE_PATH = "c:\\Android-Book.pdf"; @GET @Path("/get") @Produces("application/pdf") public Response getFile() { File file = new File(FILE_PATH); ResponseBuilder response = Response.ok((Object) file); response.header("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=new-android-book.pdf"); return response.build(); } }
2. Demo
Access this URI pattern : “/pdf/get“.
Figure : Pdf file “c:\\Android-Book.pdf” from server is prompted for user to download, with a new file name “new-android-book.pdf“

Download Source Code
$ git clone https://github.com/favtuts/java-jax-rs-tutorials.git
$ cd jax-rs-download-pdf-example