PDFs, also known as Portable Document Formats, are efficient electronic documents that ensure the layout and formatting remain consistent regardless of who opens them. This makes PDFs perfect for sharing anything from eBooks and essays to business proposals. But the best part is that you don’t have to download any special software to open them; a modern browser can easily handle them. Despite their ease of use, PDFs can sometimes be bulky and cause issues when emailing or storing them online. This is where online Compress PDF tools come in handy. By using a compression tool for a PDF, you can easily resize a PDF document without sacrificing its quality.
So, let us learn about PDF sizes and how to resize PDF docs.
PDF Size vs PDF Quality
PDF files are mainly compressed to make them smaller and more accessible to share via email. Shrinking a PDF file is only sometimes an ideal idea. Excessive compression can lead to loss of quality, making the PDF challenging to read and unappealing.
Below are a few factors to consider:
- Look for tools that allow you to choose the level of compression. It can help you prioritize the compression size and preserve the original quality of your PDF file.
- Moreover, PDFs with images are more significant than PDFs without pictures. If your PDF file contains important photos, their quality should be maintained. Many tools offer image-specific compression options to help you achieve a good balance.
Ways To Shrink A PDF Size
1. Avoid Scanning PDFs
One common misconception is that to create PDFs, you have to scan the document, whereas electronically converted PDFs are much smaller in size than scanned PDFs. You should scan documents only on paper. All other documents saved on your device should not be scanned and converted electronically from the original file only, then saved into PDFs. Moreover, you can quickly combine individual documents using online software such as Adobe Acrobat.
2. Reduced Size PDF
If your file is still huge after compressing it online, you can take this step: Simply resave your file as a reduced-size PDF.
In Adobe Acrobat, open the PDF you want to compress, click save as other, and then click the reduced-size PDF option. A new pop-up window will open, prompting you to select the file’s version that is compatible with your needs.
This method is quick and straightforward, but it can reduce the quality of the images added. If you need more control over compressing your PDF resize, follow the process below.
3. Adobe Acrobat’s PDF Optimizer
Opt for a PDF optimizer tool if you need more control over the PDF elements.
- Before optimizing a file, check its PDF file size by opening the document. Then, navigate to the file and click on properties to display the file size.
- Check if your file exceeds the limit suggested by legal professionals. If it does, then open it in Adobe Acrobat. Once your file is open, click on the file, followed by others, and then click on optimized PDF.
- A pop-up window will open, and you must click on Audit Space Usage. This will display the document’s properties and respective file sizes.
- Identify the areas consuming more space and compress these elements by checking the boxes next to them.
4. Resize PDF Document with MS Word
The save as option in MS Word allows you to save files in a generally more diminutive size, depending on the number of images your document might have. There is an option in Word to help you further shrink a PDF size, and here is how to use it:
- Open the file you want to compress.
- Click on the file from the menu. A dropdown will appear; click on save file as and select PDF.
- Look for more optimization options and click on optimize followed by minimum size and compress PDF file.
- Now, Word will automatically compress your document and provide a compressed PDF.
This function may not be available in updated versions of MS Word, but you can still resize PDF docs using different online tools.
5. Using Online PDF Resize and Compression Tools
Online PDF Resize Tools might contain features that can help you shrink a PDF size. But use these tools cautiously as they are not always safe, and your data privacy might be at risk. Moreover, this method sometimes reduces the quality of images.
6. Adobe Online Shrink a PDF Size Tool
If you don’t use Adobe to manage your PDF, you can still use Adobe Acrobat online services to shrink a PDF size by following the below simple method:
- Visit the Adobe Acrobat online PDF compression tool
- Click the “Select a file” button on the displayed page.
- Simply choose the PDF you want to shrink, and Adobe will handle the upload and compression process.
- Once compressed, you can download your file’s new, smaller version directly from the Adobe website.
Compress Your PDF and Share and Store Easily
There are several ways to shrink a PDF size. You can avoid scanning documents unnecessarily, using online compression tools, or utilizing features within software like Adobe Acrobat or MS Word. It’s essential to find a balance between reducing file size and maintaining quality, especially for PDFs containing images. Consider the level of compression you need and choose the method that best suits your requirements. If you prioritize maximum control over the compression process, Adobe Acrobat’s PDF Optimizer offers a detailed approach, along with strict data privacy regulations that protect your crucial information.
