Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with encoding and processing page description language (PDL) documents using a light-weight data interchange format are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a communication logic configured to receive a request for a page description language (PDL) document. The PDL document is encoded in accordance with a lightweight data interchange format that includes (i) content of the page, and (ii) an arrangement of the content within the page. The apparatus includes a processing logic configured to retrieve the PDL document from a data store and to interpret the PDL document to generate a rasterized document that defines a layout of the page to be printed. The layout of the page as defined by the rasterized document is consistent with the arrangement of the content within the page as specified by the PDL document encoded with the lightweight data interchange format.