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Design

Daniel Racowsky
Daniel Racowsky
1,574 Points
Posted by Daniel Racowsky
Daniel Racowsky
1,574 Points

Reducing PDF file size?

Hello!

I am trying to reduce the file size of a PDF document.

It is:

  • Two pages total
  • About 6 MB in size
  • Designed in Illustrator CS5, and contains some not extremely complex vector graphics.

How does one reduce the file size of a document like this (while maintaining its quality)?

Thanks!

Daniel

4 Answers

Clifford Cashatt
Clifford Cashatt
5,056 Points
Clifford Cashatt
Clifford Cashatt
5,056 Points

It's been my experience that InDesign outputs a smaller PDF than Illustrator. So when I need a smaller PDF that maintains the original quality I use a work around that involves creating a new document in InDesign the same size and with the same number of pages as my Illustrator artwork. Then I place the Illustrator file into the InDesign document and export a PDF from Indesign. If I need to edit the Illustrator art in the future. I'll open the InDesign doc and edit the linked Illustrator file. This may not be the best solution in every instance but I've used it successfully for years.

Jason Thomas
Jason Thomas
7,553 Points
Jason Thomas
Jason Thomas
7,553 Points

You can always adjust your PDF output setting in Illustrator.

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/illustrator/cs/using/WS714a382cdf7d304e7e07d0100196cbc5f-6547a.html

marsha grasett
marsha grasett
9,995 Points
marsha grasett
marsha grasett
9,995 Points

In Illustrator try ---> Untick 'Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities'. (so only the PDF data is stored - not the the file along with embeded images)

Daniel Racowsky
Daniel Racowsky
1,574 Points
Daniel Racowsky
Daniel Racowsky
1,574 Points

Hi Masha, in Illustrator CS5, where does one access 'Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities'?

I'm not able to find the option.

Thanks!

marsha grasett
marsha grasett
9,995 Points
marsha grasett
marsha grasett
9,995 Points

In Illy: -have your file open -SAVE AS --> drop down menu --> ADOBE PDF -Dialog box will appear -under OPTIONs ---> untick - PRESERVE ILLUSTRATOR EDITING CAPABILITIES

:)