How to make a PDF file smaller?

Why do I need to downsize a PDF for printing?

Preparing print-ready PDF files for large format digital printing in Illustrator and InDesign can create extremely large files that are both difficult for computers to handle and very slow to upload to printing suppliers via the internet.

How do I downsize a PDF file without losing print quality?

Press quality PDF files often render frustratingly large results, however, there is one setting you can choose that can reduce the size of your files up to 95%!

Here's how you do it.

Download the guide to making a PDF smaller (PDF) >

Steps to creating small PDF files within Illustrator or InDesign

1. In Illustrator, go to File > Save As, choose Adobe PDF, then click Save. In InDesign, go to File > Export, choose Adobe PDF (Print), then click Save to open the PDF options.

The screenshots below show Illustrator; InDesign uses its own export options.

2. In the PDF options, choose the [Press Quality] preset.

In Illustrator, untick Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities. In InDesign, untick Preserve InDesign Editing Capabilities if shown.

Removing editing data can reduce file size without changing the printed artwork. Keep your editable original.

3. Select Compression from the menu on the left side of the window.

Set Colour Bitmap Images to 150ppi

Set Grayscale Bitmap Images to 150ppi

Set Monochrome Bitmap Images to 600ppi

Note: These settings are for artwork at its finished print size. If it will be enlarged, ask us about the resolution needed before downsampling. Downsampling and JPEG compression can discard image detail, so check the PDF at finished size.

4. Select Marks and Bleeds from the menu on the left side of the window. If you are using one of our templates as a guide, leave this window with the default settings.
We don’t require any printer’s marks or bleed set because the bleed is contained within the page size of the document. If you are building your artwork without one of our templates, you may have to set bleed and printer marks.

5. Leave the other settings as shown. In Illustrator, click Save PDF. In InDesign, click Export on Windows or Save on macOS. Check the finished PDF before sending it.