How PDF compression works on Foldr
Foldr compresses a PDF by drawing each page and saving it again as a JPEG image inside a new PDF, at roughly 100 dpi. This can make large scans and image-heavy files much smaller.
There are three quality levels: High, Balanced (the default) and Smallest. Lower quality means a smaller file and softer images. After processing, Foldr shows the old and new size. If the new file would not be smaller, it gives you your original file back instead of a bigger one.
How to use Compress PDF
- Add your PDFDrag a PDF onto the upload area or press Choose file.
- Choose a qualityIn Settings, select High, Balanced or Smallest.
- Press Compress PDFEach page is re-encoded, with a progress bar.
- Check the size and downloadThe result shows the size before and after. Click the green download button.
Limitations to know about
- Text becomes part of the page image, so it is no longer selectable, searchable or copyable, and links and form fields are lost.
- PDFs that are mostly text are often already small. In that case you get the original file back.
- Small text can look softer at the Smallest setting. Check the result before sending it.
Common uses
- Get under an email attachment limit.
- Meet the file size limit of a government or job application portal.
- Make a large scan easier to share and store.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce the size of a PDF?
Add the PDF, pick a quality level and press Compress PDF. The result page shows how much smaller the file became.
Why is my compressed PDF not smaller?
Files that are mostly text, or that were already compressed, can't shrink further with this method. Foldr then returns the original instead of a larger file.
Why can't I select text after compressing?
Compression redraws each page as an image, so the text is part of the picture. If you need selectable text, keep the original file as well.
Which quality level should I choose?
Balanced is a good starting point. Use High for documents with small print and Smallest when file size matters more than sharpness.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Compression runs in your browser.