PDF compression can be useful in many situations. A smaller file size makes it easier to send as an email attachment or store on a phone or tablet. While PDF compression may seem complicated to some, it’s actually quite simple even for those who aren’t very tech-savvy.
What makes up the size of a PDF file?
Before explaining how to reduce a PDF, it’s worth considering what influences its size. Typically, this type of file consists of text, fonts, images, links, attachments, and form data. It’s a safe way to send text documents, for example, because it prevents the text’s layout from changing when opened in another program – for example, Microsoft Word instead of OpenOffice.
Large PDF file sizes can be caused by specific fonts embedded in the document. Images, especially those that are poorly compressed or have poor resolution, can also be a factor.
How to reduce PDF file size – compression
One way to reduce PDF size is through compression. This is performed using specialized programs or applications.
Programs and software
Reducing PDF files can be accomplished in several different ways. The first is to use specialized programs. One of the most popular is SwifDoo PDF. Reducing PDF size can also be done using appropriate applications. Examples include WinRar, WinZip, and 7Zip. In this case, simply add the selected file to the archive using the right mouse button. To download 7Zip, for example, visit the appropriate website, download the latest version of the application, and install it to easily reduce PDF size.
Other ways to reduce PDF size
When it comes to PDFs, compression can be insufficient. In such cases, consider splitting the file or cropping pages from the PDF. The aforementioned SwifDoo PDF application is a useful tool. Among other things, the program allows you to split a file into several parts; split, crop, and rotate pages; convert the format from PDF to JPG, PDF to DWG, and much more.
Another way to reduce the size of a PDF file is to use a hosting service (OneDrive, Google Drive, DropBox). After free registration, you can upload files and share them as links. It’s also worth remembering Adobe’s support tool, Acrobat. It allows you to track the size of the file you’re preparing and also provides information about the percentage of individual elements in the PDF file size.
Advantages and disadvantages of reducing PDF files
We’ve already learned how to resize a PDF. However, it’s worth exploring the pros and cons of this option. As you can see, a smaller PDF file is easier to share online, via email, chat, etc. Large files are also the enemy of mobile devices, which tend to exhaust their memory most of the time. When archiving thousands of files, the size of each file matters. Smaller files allow you to store more in a given block of memory. This also makes searching easier.
The downside to PDF compression is that many of the original document attributes can be lost when attempting to compress PDFs or compact PDFs. Therefore, it’s always recommended to keep a copy of the original so you can easily recover the data if necessary.
Furthermore, if you use too much compression, the compression software will be forced to convert all images and graphics to a much lower resolution. This makes them unsuitable for printing, as they will appear grainy and unprofessional.
Summary
Reducing PDF size can be useful for everyone. Reduce your PDF in the way that works best for you. Some people might be satisfied with compression, while others might prefer splitting the file. Regardless of the option chosen, the result will be a practical, reduced file size.
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