In today’s digital age, PDF documents are essential, especially when applying for jobs or sending important files. However, PDF file sizes can often be too large, making them difficult to upload or email. This article explores over 10 easy ways to compress PDFs, both online and offline. Let’s dive into the best methods to shrink your PDF files!
How to Compress a PDF?
You might wonder, “How can I compress a PDF to make it smaller?” Fortunately, there are numerous software programs and applications available for both computers and smartphones. From commonly used programs like Adobe Acrobat to specialized compression apps, here are several methods you can try:
1. Using Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a widely used software for PDF management, and it includes a handy feature to reduce file size. The “Reduce File Size” option in the menu is perfect for those who frequently work with numerous PDFs. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Adobe Acrobat.
- Select the PDF file you want to compress.
- Click “File” > “Reduce File Size.”
- Choose a save location and save the compressed file.
2. Using Adobe Photoshop
While primarily known for graphic design, Adobe Photoshop can also compress PDFs, especially those with many images. Here’s how:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Photoshop.
- Save the file in PDF format using “Save As.”
- In the file quality settings, choose “Low Quality” to reduce the size.
3. Using Microsoft Word
Surprisingly, Microsoft Word can also reduce PDF file sizes without needing extra software. The steps are straightforward:
- Open the PDF file in Microsoft Word.
- Once opened, click “File” > “Save As.”
- Select PDF format and ensure you choose “Optimize for: Minimum Size” in the save options.
4. Using Nitro Pro 10
Nitro Pro 10 is another powerful software option for PDF compression. It’s particularly useful for professionals who manage PDF documents daily. Here’s the process:
- Open the PDF file in Nitro Pro 10.
- Select “File” > “Optimize PDF.”
- Choose the desired compression level and save the compressed file.
5. Using PDF Gear
PDF Gear is a versatile application compatible with both Mac and Windows. Here’s how to compress PDFs with it:
- Download and install PDF Gear.
- Open the application and select “Compress PDF.”
- Add the file you want to compress and choose the compression level.
- Click “Compress” and save the compressed file.
6. Using Orpalis PDF Reducer
Orpalis PDF Reducer is another reliable application with several easy-to-use compression options:
- Open Orpalis PDF Reducer.
- Select the PDF file you wish to compress.
- Choose a save location and click “Start” to begin compression.
7. Using PDF Compressor App
For mobile users, the PDF Compressor app offers a quick way to compress PDFs directly on your smartphone. It’s incredibly simple:
- Open the PDF Compressor app.
- Select the PDF file from your phone’s storage.
- Choose the compression level and wait for the process to finish.
Online PDF Compression Methods
If you prefer not to download software, online PDF compression tools are a convenient alternative. Many websites offer free services without any hassle. Here are some websites you can try:
1. Smallpdf
Smallpdf is one of the most popular online PDF compression sites, accessible here. It allows you to reduce PDF file sizes in just a few clicks:
- Go to Smallpdf.com.
- Select the PDF file you want to compress.
- Wait for the compression process to complete, then download the compressed file.
2. IlovePDF
Similar to Smallpdf, IlovePDF offers online PDF compression and can be accessed here. You can adjust the compression level to suit your needs:
- Visit IlovePDF.com.
- Select the PDF file to compress.
- Choose a compression level (Extreme, Recommended, or Light).
- Click “Compress PDF” and download the result.
3. PDF Compressor
PDF Compressor is another dependable website, available here. It’s very user-friendly – simply upload your file and let the website handle the rest:
- Open PDFcompressor.com.
- Upload the PDF file you want to compress.
- Wait for the process to finish, then download the compressed file.
4. EasePDF
EasePDF also provides online PDF compression with various compression level options. You can access it here. It’s very simple to use:
- Open EasePDF.com.
- Upload the PDF file you want to compress.
- Select the compression level and click “Compress PDF.”
- Download the compressed file.
5. PDFcandy
PDFcandy is another excellent online option for PDF compression, accessible here. It features a user-friendly interface and is easy to navigate:
- Visit PDFcandy.com.
- Upload the PDF file you want to reduce in size.
- Wait for the process to complete, then download the compressed file.
4 Tips to Further Reduce PDF Size
To ensure your PDF files are efficiently sized without sacrificing quality, consider these helpful tips. These steps can help you create smaller, more manageable PDFs, especially when dealing with digital documents for work or career advancement. Let’s explore these tips!
1. Avoid Scanned Documents
One major contributor to large PDF file sizes is using scanned documents. When you create a PDF from a scanned document, each page is saved as an image. This significantly increases file size, especially at high scan resolutions. To keep PDF file sizes smaller, avoid creating PDFs from scans unless absolutely necessary.
Instead, opt for original digital documents, such as Microsoft Word or Excel files, and save them directly as PDFs. This is much more efficient than scanning physical documents first. Here are the steps to follow:
- Create your document directly in Microsoft Word, Excel, or another application that supports digital formats.
- When finished, select “Save As” or “Export to PDF” to convert the document to PDF format.
- Ensure you choose compression options or minimum size settings when saving the document as a PDF.
By doing this, you can significantly reduce file size while maintaining a clean and professional document quality.
2. Save Word Documents to PDF with Minimum Size
If you create documents in Microsoft Word and need to convert them to PDF, there’s a way to ensure the PDF file size isn’t too large. When saving a Word document as a PDF, Word provides a feature to choose a smaller file size. This is particularly useful when you need to email or upload documents with file size limits.
Here’s how to compress PDF size when saving a Word document:
- Open your document in Microsoft Word – Make sure all document content is finalized before converting to PDF.
- Click “File” > “Save As” – Choose a save location and select PDF as the file format.
- Select “Optimize for: Minimum Size” (publishing online) – This option ensures that the saved PDF file is smaller, while still being suitable for online viewing. By choosing this option, Word optimizes the document, particularly reducing the size of images and graphic elements within the document.
- Click “Save” – The resulting PDF file will be smaller compared to saving without compression options.
This tip is especially useful for documents that don’t require high print quality, such as online job applications or documents sent via email.
3. Reduce the Use of High-Resolution Images
High-resolution images are another primary cause of large PDF file sizes. While high-resolution images are important for printed materials or presentations, they’re not always necessary for digital documents. If you frequently use images in your documents, ensure you reduce their resolution or choose smaller file size images before inserting them.
You can use image editing tools like Photoshop or Paint to reduce image size and resolution before adding them to your document. Alternatively, if you’re using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, follow these steps to reduce image size within the document:
- Click on the image you want to resize.
- Select “Picture Format” > “Compress Pictures” in the top toolbar.
- Choose a lower resolution, such as “Email (96 ppi)” or “Web (150 ppi)” if the document is only for online use or email.
- Uncheck the option “Apply only to this picture” if you want to compress all images in the document.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the PDF file size without significantly compromising image quality.
4. Use Text Format, Not Images
If your PDF document contains text, ensure the text is saved as actual text, not as images. Some people might take screenshots or scan text in physical documents and save it as images in a PDF. This will make the file size much larger compared to directly typing the text in the document.
For a more efficient approach:
- Create text documents directly in word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- Avoid copying text as images or screenshots. Instead, copy and paste text as live text.
- When converting to PDF, ensure the text remains in text format, not images.
These are various methods to compress PDFs that you can try. By following the steps above, you no longer need to worry about large PDF file sizes when applying for jobs or sending important documents. When applying for jobs, ensure your CV is well-compressed and of good quality to attract recruiters using a CV ATS Checker at Dealls. Good luck!
Sources:
How to reduce PDF file size – I Love PDF
