Compress a scanned PDF
Scanned PDFs — especially from copy-shop scanners or phone apps — are notorious for size bloat. A 10-page scan can easily exceed 50 MB because each page is a full-resolution image.
Why this works
Our scan-optimised compression detects image-only pages, applies smart downsampling and re-encodes with JBIG2 / JPEG2000 where supported. Typical reductions are 70–95% with text still clearly readable.
How it works
-
1Open the compress toolLaunch the tool with the "Scanned document" preset auto-selected.
-
2Upload the scanDrop the heavy scanned PDF in. We handle 100 MB on the free tier.
-
3Choose colour or grayscaleGrayscale shrinks size dramatically. Use Colour if signatures or stamps must stay visible.
-
4Download the lean versionSave and verify quality. Run OCR afterwards if you need to search the text.
Who this is for
Real-world uses
Legal teams
Compress evidence bundles for e-filing systems with size caps.
Healthcare admins
Shrink scanned medical records for secure transfer.
Archivists
Convert bulky scans into manageable archive-friendly PDFs.
FAQ
Common questions
Will small handwriting still be legible?
Yes. Default settings preserve text legibility down to 8-point handwriting in most cases.
Should I compress before or after OCR?
OCR first, then compress. Compressing first can lower OCR accuracy.