How to Optimize PDF Size and Quality

Optimising a PDF means finding the balance between quality and file size. If the file is too large, it becomes hard to share. If the quality is too low, small text and images may look blurred. By adjusting a few settings you can usually reach a good compromise.

Start by identifying the type of content in your document. A PDF made mostly of scanned pages behaves differently from a file that contains vector graphics and embedded fonts. Each type of content reacts differently to compression and downscaling.

Settings that influence PDF quality

• Image resolution – determines how detailed photos and scans appear when zoomed in.
• Compression level – controls how aggressively images are compressed and how much data is removed.
• Font embedding – ensures that text looks correct on every device but may increase file size slightly.

By experimenting with these settings and comparing before‑and‑after versions, you will quickly see what works best for your documents.

Using CompressItSmall in your optimisation workflow

Once your PDF content is ready, use CompressItSmall to create a lighter version. Start with the Compress PDF tool and then, if necessary, reorganise pages or merge additional documents. For scanned files, consider converting high‑resolution images first with Compress Image and then generating a new PDF from them.