How to Make a PDF Smaller: A Comprehensive Guide

PDFs are widely used for a variety of purposes from work reports to e-books. However, one of the major issues with PDF documents is their large file size. Large file sizes often lead to slower devices, take up more storage space, and can cause problems when uploading or sending files. In this article, we will explore the different methods to help you make a PDF smaller.

The Importance of Reducing PDF Size

Before we dive into how to reduce the size of a PDF, it is important to understand why file size is critical. Large PDF files can result in issues like slow load times, device crashes, and transfer failures. A smaller file size invites increased functionality and mobility, quick download times, and easy file sharing. By compressing your PDFs, you can ensure a better user experience, save computer storage, and save bandwidth costs for your website or business.

Best Practices for Reducing PDF Size

There are several ways to reduce PDF size and save space, some of which include:

Optimize PDF File Content

One way to reduce PDF size is to optimize the file content. Here are a few techniques you can use:

• Reduce image resolution: Images are the most significant contributor to a PDF’s size. Ensure that your images are at a standard resolution and avoid high-resolution images.
• Use OCR: Try to convert scanned PDFs to readable text to reduce the file size.
• Remove metadata: Metadata such as comments, document information, and form data can increase PDF size. Delete the metadata or only keep the necessary metadata.
• Use simpler fonts: Complicated font types like OpenType, TrueType, and fonts with elaborate designs can occupy several gigabytes. Using simpler fonts helps to reduce file size.

Split Large PDF Files into Smaller PDFs

Another way to reduce PDF size is to divide large PDF files into smaller files. A smaller file size is easier to read, opens faster, and is easier to manage. Splitting a large PDF file into smaller files will also improve accessibility, as many websites and devices have size restrictions that limit the download of large files. Additionally, it would be much more comfortable sharing smaller files through email, or other sharing platforms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Compressing PDFs

When compressing PDFs, there are a few common mistakes to avoid, which include:

• Overusing compression: Over-optimizing your PDF files can result in images and text that are of low quality, and blurry images when enlarged.
• Not backing up the original file: Ensure you have a backup of the original file as reducing the file size can mean significant revisions in the future.
• Incorrect sequencing: Some files may require a specific order or sequence of preserving originality. Ensure that the file content is correctly ordered after compressing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Compression Tools

Using compression tools is one of the easiest ways to reduce your PDFs’ size. There are many compression software and online services available; however, we will focus on the two most commonly used ones:

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the popular software used for compressing PDF files. Here’s how to reduce PDF file size with Adobe Acrobat:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Click on the “File” menu and select “Save as Other” then click on “Reduced Size PDF”.
3. Select “Minimum size”.
4. Click “ok” and save the file in your chosen location.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is another cloud-based service used to compress PDF files. Here’s how to use Smallpdf:

1. Visit the Smallpdf website and select “Compress PDF”.
2. Drag and drop your PDF in the drop zone or by clicking “Choose Files”.
3. The file will be compressed. Click on “Download” and save the file in your preferred location.

Comparison of Compression Tools

There are various compression tools available in the market. Some of the most popular ones include Adobe Acrobat and Ghostscript. Here is a comparison of the two tools.

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat suits the needs of both individuals and business owners looking to compress their PDF files. With the software’s user-friendly interface and compressing capabilities, it is one of the market’s most commonly used tools. However, Adobe Acrobat is not free, and this can be a disadvantage for people who require the software for one-time use.

Ghostscript

Ghostscript is another compression tool that has proved effective in compressing PDFs. It is an open-source system that accepts input from PostScript application programs and converts the input into a wide range of output formats. Ghostscript is free, which means that users do not have to spend any money on licensed versions. However, it has a steeper learning curve and may not be as user-friendly as Adobe Acrobat.

Conclusion

Reducing PDF size is essential to optimize page load speed, reduce storage space consumption, and improve website user experiences. In this article, we have provided you with several techniques you can use to reduce your PDF files’ size, common mistakes to avoid when compressing a PDF and a comparison of some of the most popular compression tools. Whether you choose to use Ghostscript or Adobe Acrobat, you can quickly reduce the size of your PDFs and improve their accessibility and sharing capabilities. Try out the various techniques, and you will be amazed at how much space and time you can save by compressing your PDFs.