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How to Reduce the Size of a PDF file

Pankaj Chobharkar
Do you need to compress a PDF file, either to save space on your computer or to make it easier to upload on the web? If you are wondering how to reduce a PDF file size, then here are some simple ways to do just that.
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It was developed in 1993 by Adobe Systems, in order to simplify the exchange of documents. PDF evolved from a system called Camelot, which was outlined in 1991 by John Warnock. It is a file format that is independent from the operating system of a computer, its hardware and software.
For purposes of usage on the web, reducing the size of a PDF file is necessary, so that it occupies lesser server space and allows the users to download it quickly. Besides, if the file size of a PDF is small, it can be attached faster to an email as well.

Different Methods to Reduce PDF File Size
The main factors that go on to affect the size of a PDF file are image resolution, image type, fonts and how they are embedded, PDF version, and the level of compression.
There are both online and offline ways of reducing a PDF file size. Choose a method based on the size of the file that is to be reduced, and also the number of files involved. So here is how to edit PDF files offline on your own, and compress them for web or any other use.

Using the 'Save As' Function

Open the PDF file in the PDF reader
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Click on 'File' in the top menu and then select 'Save As'

Recreate the PDF File

By recreating a PDF file, you can remove unwanted tags, objects, and make the images smaller. For this method, you need to use the 'Print' option. The steps for this method are as follows.
Open the PDF file
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Click on the 'Print' option
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Select 'Adobe PDF' as the printer name
(if you do not have Adobe PDF you can use other compatible software for this)
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You can manually also choose the file size by clicking on 'Advanced Options' and changing the resolution of the image
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Click 'OK'
PDFs contain bookmarks, tags, links, JavaScript, embedded fonts, etc., that are not necessary, and only increase the size of the file. By eliminating unwanted material like these, you can make the PDF file size smaller. Here is the procedure to reduce the size of the PDF, and is for Acrobat 8.
Open the PDF file in the PDF editor
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Go to 'Advanced'
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Select 'PDF Optimizer'
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Choose the objects to remove
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Click 'OK'
Downsizing images in a PDF file helps in reducing the size of the entire document. Steps for reducing the size of all the images in the document is given here.
Open the PDF file in the PDF editor
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Select the 'Advanced' option
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Select 'PDF Optimizer'
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Specify the level of downsampling
The easiest and shortest method to reduce the size of a PDF file is by using an Apple computer.
Get the file opened in the 'Preview' mode
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Click on 'File' and choose 'Save As'
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Select 'Quartz Filter options'
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Choose 'Reduce File Size'
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Click on 'Save'
One thing to remember is that, if you want to edit or compress a PDF file that is confidential, avoid using any online tools.