How To Reduce Pdf File Size? Top Full Guide For You [2022]

How to reduce PDF file size” can be done in several ways, depending on the type of file and the level of compression desired. In most cases, reducing the file size will also reduce the quality of the file.

There are a few different ways to reduce the size of a PDF file. One way is to compress the file using the built-in compression feature in Adobe Acrobat. Another way is to use a third-party tool to compress the file.

How To Determine The Size Of Your PDF Document

How To Determine The Size Of Your PDF Document

It’s straightforward to verify the size of your PDF if you’re using Adobe Acrobat. Choose File, then Properties. You’ll be able to examine several details about your document, including its size.

You may also go to the folder containing your document, right-click on it, and select Properties from the menu.

Larger files take longer to upload, are more difficult to transmit electronically (through email, for example), and consume more space in your legal firm’s file storage. Even when the courts accept greater file sizes, smaller, efficient files are preferred.

So, how do you go about shrinking the size of your PDF files? Here are five short pointers to consider.

1. Avoid scanning PDFs wherever possible

1. Avoid scanning PDFs wherever possible

It’s a prevalent misperception that printing everything out and scanning it together is required to make PDFs or integrate various papers and exhibits into a single PDF. Files that have been electronically transformed are typically substantially smaller than scans.

Only scan papers only in paper form; all other documents may be converted to PDFs electronically from the source file. Furthermore, using software such as Adobe Acrobat, separate documents may be instantly integrated as PDFs, eliminating the need to print out papers to combine them.

2. Save as “Reduced Size PDF.”

2. Save as Reduced Size PDF.

There are still some measures you may take if your file is still quite huge after you’ve developed it electronically rather than scanning it. The simplest solution is to re-save your file as a smaller PDF.

Open the PDF you want to re-save as a smaller format in the newest version of Adobe Acrobat, then click File, Save as Other, and then Reduced Size PDF. You’ll be requested to choose the version compatibility you require, after which you may save by clicking OK. Setting your compatibility to at least Acrobat X is recommended, as that version is still extensively used.

This procedure is quick and easy, but it degrades image quality and removes digital signatures. Instead, use the optimization approach outlined below if you want greater control over how your PDF is compressed in Acrobat.

3. Use Adobe Acrobat’s PDF Optimizer

3. Use Adobe Acrobat's PDF Optimizer

You may want more control over which parts of your document are decreased in quality or eliminated at times. In these cases, the PDF optimizer tool is the best option.

It’s a good idea to audit a file’s space utilization before optimizing it – see which parts, such as fonts, photos, and so on, are using the most data. The results may help you figure out where to save space in your files.

To start optimizing your PDF, open it in Acrobat, go to File, Save as Other, and then Optimize PDF. Click Audit space utilization in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box that displays. You’ll see a table of data that looks somewhat like this:

You have total control over which PDF components will be compressed with the optimizer. Select a checkbox next to a panel (for example, Images, Fonts) and then options in that panel. Because there are so many options, it’s worth going through the Adobe help file to figure out what each one does.

We understand that Everyone doesn’t use Adobe Acrobat. What choices do you have if you’re not using Adobe Reader or if you’re using other software? If you’re not using Acrobat, you have two extra alternatives for shrinking your PDF file.

4. Reduce the size as you save in Word

4. Reduce the size as you save in Word

You utilize the Save As option in Word to convert a document to PDF. Depending on the number of photographs in your paper, this choice usually results in a small size. If you still feel that your Word-converted PDF is too huge, another option in Word will generate a much smaller file. Here’s how to put it to use:

To convert a Word document to a PDF, open it in Word. Then, under the File menu, select Save As. Select PDF from the Save as type selection and give your file a name. Here’s the extra step: at the bottom of the dialog box, it reads Optimize for, pick Minimum size (publishing online).

5. Use a print-to-PDF tool

5. Use a print-to-PDF tool

Other (non-Adobe) PDF applications usually have options that might help you shrink your PDF. There are, however, some free options accessible if you’re seeking one. PrimoPDF is the most popular free PDF maker right now, according to download.com.

Open the PDF you want to compress (in Acrobat Reader or a web browser, for example), press Ctrl+P to open the print window, pick PrimoPDF from the list of available printers, and then click Create PDF after you’ve installed PrimoPDF.

It’s worth noting that this option, like simply saving as a smaller PDF in Adobe Acrobat, lowers picture quality and resolution.

Some relevant posts:

Conclusion

There are a few ways to reduce the size of a PDF file. One way is to use a PDF compressor. You can also reduce the size of the PDF by optimizing the images in the PDF. Finally, you can reduce the PDF size by removing unnecessary data from the file.