Trying to Export a PDF of an Indesign file, but it's still too big!

hank_scorpio · 04-13-2010, 06:01 PM

Smallest file size will reduce the image sizes for you.

If there's a lot of vector images in it then it will be difficult to get the file size down.

Earthvibe360 · 04-13-2010, 06:05 PM

Smallest file size with reducing down images to 72dpi, is still creating a 8MB, there is hardly any vector images. I'm thinking that we may need to use a third party application?

hank_scorpio · 04-13-2010, 06:15 PM

If you like I can pm you and you can email me the PDF and I'll see if I can reduce the file size for you.

CLINECO · 04-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Flatten the transparency.

digizan · 04-13-2010, 10:49 PM

Examining the PDF for hidden content can also help. I've seen client-supplied PDFs shrink by half or more once all the extraneous stuff is been removed.

For more info & screenshots see Cleaning up your PDF Documents

Digi

**garricks** · 04-13-2010, 10:55 PM

Awesome, digi!

digizan · 04-13-2010, 11:07 PM

garricks, that's the kind of stuff you learn when you do lots of web work and a client asks you to put the 25MB PDF (of a 2-page newsletter they designed in Photoshop) on their web site.

Digi

**Buda** · 04-13-2010, 11:22 PM

Once you have saved under smallest file size in Indesign, Open the pdf in Acrobat and use the reduce file size function.

urstwile · 04-14-2010, 12:14 AM

I tweak the settings in smallest file size when I have to. For example, smallest file size defaults to downsizing images to 100 dpi if they're over 150. So if I need to, I change that to 72 instead of 100.

Another thing you can do, if this is for the web, oftentimes printing to a PDF at a reduced percentage, say 75%, will get you a decent screenviewing size and reduce quite a bit on the file size (obviously, this is largely dependent on the page size, etc. of the source document). If there's no intention of printing the PDF, just viewing it onscreen, you can often gain some filesize mileage out of that. You have to print to PDF though, scaling isn't available in the export function (and man do I wish that it was).

Digi, that link is awesome!

CLINECO · 04-14-2010, 12:29 AM

If you used any effects such as drop shadows transparencies and stuff like that it will make the file larger.

Tea · 04-16-2010, 10:06 PM

Thanks from me! I needed this today for sure!

My file size was 15MB and I had to reduce it by nearly half. Or so they said. The web site said 8MB was the max...but it lied. They would really take 12.

Audentia · 04-16-2010, 10:19 PM

maybe a mod can sticky this thread?
Those links from digi are invaluable in my opinion.

jimking · 04-16-2010, 11:34 PM

You could print to postscript and distill. Set your settings in distiller such as compression values, convert all to RGB etc..

**garricks** · 04-17-2010, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by Audentia View Post

maybe a mod can sticky this thread?
Those links from digi are invaluable in my opinion.

At the risk of embarrassing digi, IMHO every one of her posts is golden.

Trying to Export a PDF of an Indesign file, but it's still too big!

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment