How to Reduce PDF File Size on Mac Easily

Are you someone who uses a lot of PDF files on their Mac? If so, you may have experienced the frustration of large file sizes that take up too much space on your device. The good news is, there are solutions to this problem and ways to make the PDFs smaller without losing important information. In this article, we will go over some simple tips on how to make a PDF smaller on Mac.

One way to reduce the PDF file size is to compress the images in the document. Many PDF files include high-quality images, which can result in larger file sizes. By compressing these images, you can significantly reduce the size of the document without sacrificing the quality of the images. Additionally, we will also discuss how to use built-in tools on your Mac to optimize PDF file size, and how to reduce the size of multiple PDF files at once. With these tips, you can save valuable space on your hard drive without compromising the quality of your PDF documents.

10 Ways to Make a PDF Smaller on Mac

Now that you know the importance of having a smaller PDF file, let’s look at some methods on how to make a PDF smaller on your Mac. Here are ten ways you can try:

1. Reduce PDF File Size with Preview

Preview is a built-in app on Mac that lets you view and edit PDF files. It also has a feature that allows you to reduce the PDF file size. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Launch Preview and open the PDF file you want to compress.
2. Select “Export” from the “File” menu or press Command + Shift + S on your keyboard.
3. Choose “Reduce File Size” from the “Quartz Filter” drop-down menu.
4. Click on “Save”, and you’re done. Your PDF file is now smaller.

2. Compress Images in the PDF File

One of the reasons why PDF files can be large is because of the images it contains. You can compress these images to make the PDF file smaller. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Select the image you want to compress, and click on “Tools” and then choose “Adjust Size”.
3. Decrease the resolution of the image to a smaller size, which will reduce the file size of the PDF file.
4. Click on “OK” to save the changes. Repeat this process for other images in your PDF file.

3. Use Adobe Acrobat DC

Adobe Acrobat DC is a powerful PDF editor that comes with a feature to reduce the size of PDF files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat DC.
2. Select “File” and then select “Save As Other”.
3. Choose “Reduced Size PDF” and then select “Ok”.
4. Your PDF file size should be reduced after the process is completed.

4. Use a Compressor App

There are several compressor apps available on the App Store that can reduce the size of your PDF files. Here are a few popular ones:

1. PDF Squeezer – This app is simple to use and can compress PDF files by up to 90%.
2. PDF Expert – This app comes with a feature that allows you to reduce the size of PDF files while retaining the quality of the images.
3. Compress PDF – This app can reduce the size of your PDF files while maintaining their quality.

5. Convert PDF to a Different File Format

Another way to reduce PDF file size is to convert it to a different file format. Some file formats, such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF, have smaller file sizes than PDF. Here’s how you can convert PDF to a different file format:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Select “Export” from the “File” menu or press Command + Shift + S on your keyboard.
3. Choose the desired file format, like JPEG or PNG.
4. Click on “Save”.

6. Use SmallPDF.com

SmallPDF.com is a free online tool that can compress your PDF files. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Go to SmallPDF.com.
2. Drag and drop the PDF file you want to compress into the site’s interface.
3. Choose “Download” to save the compressed PDF file to your computer.

7. Delete Unnecessary Pages

Sometimes, your PDF file can be large because it contains unnecessary pages. Deleting these pages can help reduce its size. Here’s how to delete unnecessary pages in your PDF file:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Choose “Thumbnails” in the View menu to see a list of all the pages.
3. Select the pages you want to delete, and then choose “Delete” from the “Edit” menu or simply press the Delete key on your keyboard.
4. Save the file, and your PDF should now be smaller.

8. Use Zip Files

Another way to compress PDF files is to use a ZIP file. This is a compressed file format that can make your PDF smaller. Here’s how to use a Zip file:

1. Right-click on your PDF file and select “Compress”.
2. A ZIP file will be created with your PDF file within it.
3. You can now send the ZIP file, which is likely to be smaller in size and can be easily downloaded and shared.

9. Use ColorSync Utility

The ColorSync Utility is another built-in app on Mac that can help you reduce the size of your PDF files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the PDF file in ColorSync Utility.
2. Select “Filters” and then choose the “Reduce File Size” filter.
3. Save the file, and your PDF should now be smaller.

10. Print to PDF

Finally, you can also use the print-to-PDF method to reduce the size of PDF files. Here’s how:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Select “Print” from the “File” menu.
3. Choose “Save as PDF” from the bottom-left corner of the print dialogue box.
4. Select “Best” from the “Quality” drop-down menu.
5. Save the file, and your PDF file should now be smaller.

In conclusion, there are various methods to make a PDF file smaller on a Mac. By implementing any of these proven methods, you will have a smaller PDF file that’s easier to store, send, or upload. Try out some of these tips and see which ones work best for you.

How to Reduce PDF File Size on Mac: 10 Simple Methods

When it comes to PDF files, reducing their size can be a crucial need, especially if you’re dealing with a big size document. The bigger the file size, the harder it becomes to store, share, or send it via email. Fortunately, with the right tools and understanding, you can easily reduce the size of a PDF file on Mac. In this article, we will guide you through 10 simple methods that will help you to make a PDF smaller on Mac.

1. Compress PDF using Preview

Preview is the built-in app on your Mac, which allows you to open PDF files, edit, and make changes. Using this app, you can also compress PDF files. To compress, open the PDF file in Preview, click on File, then Export. From the drop-down menu, select “Reduce File Size.” You can then save the compressed file to your desired location.

2. Use PDF Squeezer

PDF Squeezer is a very popular app on the Mac App Store that can easily reduce PDF file sizes. With this app, you can compress multiple PDF files at once. All you need to do is drag and drop the files you want to compress into the app, then select the compression strength, and the app will do the rest.

3. Use ColorSync Utility

ColorSync Utility is another built-in app on your Mac that can be used to reduce PDF file sizes. To do this, launch the app, then click on File, then Open. Select the PDF file you want to compress, click on the File tab again, then Export. Choose the compression level you need, and then save the file.

4. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a professional PDF editor that allows you to compress PDFs. To compress a PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, launch the app, open the PDF file, then click on File, then Save As Other, then Reduced Size PDF. The app will automatically compress the file, and you can then save it as a new file.

5. Use PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a powerful PDF editor that allows you to compress PDF files on Mac. To compress using PDF Expert, open the PDF file, then click on File, then Export. From the Export menu, select “Reduce File Size,” and then save the file.

6. Remove Embedded Fonts

Fonts within a PDF file can be a major contributor to its size. If you don’t need certain fonts, deleting them can significantly reduce the size of the PDF file. To remove embedded fonts, open the PDF file in Preview, select File, click on Export and then uncheck the “Embed fonts in the file” option.

7. Use Online Tools

There are different online tools that can help you compress your PDF files. Online PDF Compressor and SmallPDF are some examples. All you need to do is upload the file, and the online tool will do the compression for you automatically. It is important to note that online tools may not be as secure as desktop apps, so use them with caution.

8. Use Quartz Filters

Quartz Filters is a built-in feature on your Mac, which allows you to compress or optimize PDF files. To use Quartz Filters, open the PDF file in Preview, click on File, then Export. From the Export menu, select the Quartz Filter option, then select the compression option you prefer.

9. Crop the PDF

Cropping the PDF can help you remove unnecessary content and reduce the PDF’s allotted space. To crop the PDF, open it in Preview app, click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” option, select the “Rectangle” icon, highlight the section you want to crop, click on “Crop” button that appears.

10. Save as Optimized PDF

Saving as an optimized PDF is an easy way to reduce file size and maintain the document’s quality. This can be achieved by opening the PDF file in Preview, clicking on File, selecting Save As, then selecting the “Optimized PDF” option from the dropdown menu. You can adjust the quality and compression level of the file, then click on Save to create a smaller file.

Conclusion

Reducing PDF file sizes on a Mac is not difficult. With a variety of options available, including using Preview, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, Quartz Filters, and online tools, you can optimize your files for better storage or sharing. Remember to save your file as a new version, in case of any mistakes in the compression process, as you cannot undo the changes made to the file. Just pick your preferred method and get started right away!

3. Using Adobe Acrobat

If you have Adobe Acrobat installed on your Mac, then you can use this software to reduce the size of your PDF files. Adobe Acrobat is available in both standard and pro versions.

Steps to shrink PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

Using the Acrobat Pro

If you have an Acrobat Pro subscription, then you can do more to reduce the size of your PDFs.

Optimizing for web

If you are preparing a PDF to upload to a website, optimizing the file for the web can reduce the size significantly.

Customizing your settings for Acrobat Pro

If you have more specific requirements for your PDF file, Acrobat Pro offers a variety of compression options that you can customize.

Using Adobe Acrobat is a great way to reduce the size of a PDF file while maintaining its quality. Whether you have the standard version or the pro version, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from to tailor your file to your needs.

Say Bye to Large PDFs on Mac!

And that’s it! With these tips, you can now make your PDF files smaller on your Mac. You don’t have to worry about sending large files or running out of space on your computer anymore. Thanks for reading this article and learning new tricks to optimize your workflow. We hope you enjoyed it and don’t forget to come back for more articles like this. Take care and happy PDF compressing!