Prepare a PDF for an upload size limit
Choose the least destructive way to meet a portal limit: remove unnecessary pages, split if allowed, or compress a copy and inspect it before uploading.
1. Check what the portal accepts
Confirm the limit, file format, whether multiple attachments are allowed, and whether text must remain searchable. Do not assume that a smaller file still meets the other requirements.
2. Preserve quality where possible
Remove unnecessary pages first. If multiple attachments are allowed, split the PDF by file size. If text selection matters, consider lossless PDF optimization; it may not save enough space.
3. Compress a copy if needed
Compress to target size supports 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB and 5 MB. It tests progressively lower image settings and reports a missed target. Its output is image-based: text selection, links and form fields are removed.
4. Inspect before submitting
- Check the actual saved file size; portal conventions for KB and MB may differ.
- Zoom into small text, signatures and barcodes.
- Check every required page and retain your original.
- If the limit cannot be met legibly, use the portal's support route or permitted alternatives.
Practice with sample PDFs · Read about PDF compression tradeoffs