Today’s article is regarding how to compress a PDF. If your document is in PDF format, it is almost certainly in its final state—all set to dazzle your audience. This is where your highest-quality graphics are displayed, as well as the final version of your text, ready to print or share with others for reading or distribution. Sadly, this can result in large file sizes, especially if the document contains a lot of images.
While you can edit a PDF, you will need to reduce the File’s quality in order to reduce the File’s overall size. If you’re wondering how to compress a PDF, you can circumvent this limitation by compressing the File using built-in or third-party software on Windows or Mac or by using an online compression service.
Solution: How To Compress A PDF On Windows Using PDF Compressor
Well, there are no built-in methods to compress a PDF on Windows 10 unless you include it in a zip file first. Unfortunately, this means you’ll need to compress the PDF file using a third-party tool.
While there are several tools available, one of the best is the Free PDF Compressor. Although this free app has been around for several years, it remains one of the simplest and fastest ways to compress a PDF on Windows.
1- To begin, download, install and launch the Free PDF Compressor software. To select your File in the Free PDF Compressor window, click the Browse button next to the PDF File option. Then, in the Output File box, specify the location and file name of the compressed File.
2- In the Settings section, you can specify the preferred PDF file quality. The lowest quality option is Screen, while the highest quality options are Printer and the Prepress. Select the desired quality level, then click Compress to begin the PDF compression process.
3- Free PDF Compressor will notify you when the File has been compressed. To close, press OK.
Because the Free PDF Compressor saves the compressed File separately from the original, you can repeat the process with higher quality if you are dissatisfied with the final result.
Solution: How To Compress A PDF On Mac Using Preview
In comparison to Windows, macOS includes an integrated PDF compression feature as part of the Preview app for viewing images and documents. This app is pre-installed on all Macs and can be found in the Launchpad app list.
1- To compress a PDF file on a Mac, launch the Preview app and open a PDF file. Once the program is open, select File> Export from the menu bar.
2- From the Export option menu, select a new file name (or leave the existing file name to overwrite the existing File) and save the File to the specified location. Select the Reduce File Size option from the Quartz Filter drop-down menu. Well, Once you’re ready to begin the compression process, click Save.
Preview saves an updated, compressed version of your PDF document immediately. After that, you’ll need to open this in Preview to see what (if any) noticeable changes in quality the app has made.
Using Online PDF Compression Services
If you don’t wish to download additional software to compress your PDF file, you can instead use one of the numerous online PDF compression services. However, if you wish to use an online service such as this, you should do so only with non-sensitive documents.
Utilizing these services entails uploading the File to a remote server, where it may remain indefinitely. Well, This poses a significant security risk for any documents containing personal data, and you should only use online compression services for files that you are comfortable sharing publicly.
Numerous online services, such as I Love PDF, exist to compress PDF files. However, the majority of services operate in a similar fashion, allowing you to upload the File, select the desired quality, and then download the compressed File.
1- To begin using I Love PDF, click the Select PDF Files button and navigate to the folder containing the PDF files you wish to compress. Further, you can drag and drop the files directly into the website window to upload them automatically.
2- After uploading the files, use the right-hand menu to select the compression level. The more compression you use, the lower the quality of your output file will be (and vice versa). Select Extreme Compression for the greatest compression possible, Recommended Compression for moderate compression but acceptable quality, or Less Compression for the least compression but significantly higher quality. Once you’re ready, click the Compress PDF button to begin the compression process.
3- The remote server will complete the PDF compression process. Once complete, click the Download Compressed PDF button to download the compressed File. The compression ratio (in terms of file space saved) will be displayed beneath.
4- To save the File to a cloud storage service or to distribute it with others via the I Love PDF service, use the sharing icons to the right of the download button. These include options for sharing to Google Drive or Dropbox, as well as the ability to generate a QR code or sharing link for distribution.
5- I Love PDF also includes a delete option, which allows you to permanently delete the File from the service’s servers. However, you must press the Delete icon to delete the File. While this will disable the delete link on the I Love PDF website, it does not guarantee that the File will be deleted entirely from the site’s servers.
As previously stated, you should avoid using services such as I Love PDF when dealing with sensitive documents. Instead, for any sensitive document containing personal information, you should compress the File using software, such as the Preview or Free PDF Compressor apps demonstrated above.
Sharing And Viewing Compressed PDF Files
Compressing a PDF enables you to reduce the File’s size without sacrificing too much quality (unless you want to). This simplifies File sharing online, via email, or through other file-sharing services. Additionally, you can password protect your PDF files to protect the contents of sensitive documents from prying eyes.
If you’re having trouble opening a PDF, you’ll need to download and install a good PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Reader. If you prefer an online solution, you can convert PDFs to Google Docs, which allows you to view, edit, and share files directly from your web browser without the need to install a third-party app.