How to Compress Images for PDF Files
90% of a heavy PDF's size comes from uncompressed images. Here is the smartest way to fix it.
Have you ever tried to email a PDF only to be told it exceeds the 25MB limit? Converting a document to PDF doesn't magically make it smaller. In fact, if you drag-and-drop 5 high-resolution photos into a Word Doc and save as PDF, that PDF will be huge.
The secret to small PDFs isn't just "compressing the PDF" at the end—it's optimizing the images before you create the document.
Why standard PDF compressors fail
Online PDF compressors process the entire document. They often blur text or ruin the vector graphics while trying to shrink the images. By compressing the source images first, you maintain crisp text and get perfectly optimized visuals.
Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Images
Select all the photos you want to include in your report or document.
Create PDF
Drag the compressed images into Word, PowerPoint or InDesign and save as PDF.
Recommended Settings for PDF Images
- Format: JPEG (Standard) or WebP (If your PDF editor supports it)
- Quality: 75% (Perfect balance for reading on screens)
- Width: Max 1200px (Unless printing on large paper)