5 Tips for Better PDF Compression

PDFs can get surprisingly large, especially when they contain images or scanned documents. Here are five practical tips to help you compress your PDFs effectively.

1. Start with the Right Source

The best compression starts before you even create the PDF. If you’re scanning documents, use appropriate DPI settings:

• Text documents: 300 DPI is plenty
• Images with text: 300-400 DPI
• Photo-heavy documents: 150-200 DPI is often sufficient

Higher DPI means larger files. Choose wisely based on your needs.

2. Understand Image Quality Settings

When compressing PDFs with images, you’re usually dealing with JPEG compression. Most documents look great with 75-85% quality settings. Unless you’re printing large format, you probably don’t need 100% quality.

3. Remove Unnecessary Elements

Before compressing, consider:

• Removing blank pages
• Deleting hidden layers or annotations
• Flattening form fields you no longer need to edit

Less content = smaller file, compression or not.

4. Use Our Compression Tool

Our PDF compression tool uses smart algorithms to reduce file size while preserving quality. It’s:

• Private: Everything happens in your browser
• Fast: No uploading or downloading delays
• Free: No hidden fees or limits

Try it out at /tools/pdf/compress.

5. Know When NOT to Compress

Some PDFs shouldn’t be compressed:

• Legal documents requiring exact reproduction
• Files with vector graphics (they’re already efficient)
• PDFs you’ll be editing later (compression can lock in changes)

The Bottom Line

PDF compression is about balance. You want small files that still look professional. With these tips and our compression tool, you can find that sweet spot every time.

Have compression tips of your own? We’d love to hear them!