Choosing Quality When Compressing: Small, Normal or High
Key points
- Text-heavy documents are usually fine on "Normal"
- For photo-heavy documents, balance against size
- If unsure, start with "Normal"
The three qualities are different balances between size and readability.
Rough guide
- Small file: smallest file; small text and photo detail get rough
- Normal: works for most documents; text stays readable
- High quality: larger file; small text and tables stay clear
By document type
- Résumé or application form (text-heavy): Normal
- Transcript (fine tables): Normal to High
- Photo-heavy material: Normal; use "Set a size" if there is a limit
- When you just need it as small as possible: Small file
How to choose
- Compress with "Normal" first.
- If it is over the limit, use "Small file" or choose a limit under "Set a size".
- If small text is hard to read, use "High quality" and cut pages.
Checking
Whatever you choose, zoom in at the end and confirm that numbers, dates and names are readable.
Use "Compress PDF" (free)Tools that go well with this
- Extract or Delete PDF Pages: Keep only the pages you need, or remove the pages you don't.
- Merge PDFs: Combine several PDF files into one, in the order you choose.
- Split PDF: Split a PDF into several files: one page each, every N pages, or by ranges.
More guides for this tool
- How to Compress a PDF to Fit a Size Limit
- What to Do When a PDF Is Too Big to Attach to an Email
- Why Text Can't Be Selected in a Compressed PDF
- Why Scanned PDFs Are Heavy and How to Lighten Them
- Typical Upload Limits on Application Forms and How to Fit Within Them
- How PDF Compression Works Without Sending Your File Out