5 Tips for Optimizing Images Before Converting to PDF

We've all received that dreaded email: "Message Blocked: Attachment Too Large."

When you take high-resolution photos with a modern phone and convert them directly to PDF, the resulting file can easily exceed 25MB. While the quality looks great, it's impractical for sharing.

The secret to a professional PDF is balancing visual quality withfile size. Here are 5 expert tips to prepare your images before conversion.

1Choose the Right Format (JPG vs. PNG)

Not all image formats are created equal when going to PDF.

• Use JPG for Photos: If you are scanning documents or using photographs, JPG is best. It uses "lossy" compression, which dramatically reduces file size without noticeable quality loss to the naked eye.
• Use PNG for Graphics: For screenshots, logos, or images with text and sharp lines, use PNG. It is "lossless" and keeps edges crisp, but the file size will be larger.

2Understand Resolution (DPI)

DPI (Dots Per Inch) determines how sharp an image looks.

• For Screens (Email/Web): You only need about 72 to 96 DPI. Anything higher is wasted data that bloats your PDF file size.
• For Printing: If the PDF is meant to be physically printed, aim for 300 DPI.

Most phone cameras shoot at very high resolutions meant for large prints, which is unnecessary for a standard PDF document.

3Crop Unnecessary Areas

Did you scan a receipt on a large table? Crop out the table! Every pixel in an image adds to the file size. By cropping tightly around the relevant content, you can reduce the file size significantly before conversion.

4Pre-Compress Your Images

Before using a PDF converter, run your JPGs through a dedicated image compressor. Tools like TinyJPG can reduce image size by up to 70% while maintaining excellent visual quality. Do this before converting to PDF for the smallest possible final file.

5Use a Smart PDF Converter

Finally, the tool you use matters. Some converters just dump the raw images into a PDF container.

The officekit.org Image to PDF tool is designed to handle JPGs and PNGs intelligently, ensuring they fit standard A4 pages without unnecessary bloating.