I create a graphic in Illustrator which incorporates text and photos that is to be used in the header of an MS Word template and then saved out as a PDF. The jpeg file and png files both come out fuzzy in the final product. I know this sounds sophomoric but what am I missing??
This worked for me in the past. Microsoft Word and Powerpoint operate off of 96 dpi. So, create your graphic at 100% size at 96 dpi, not the traditional 72. If you are PDFing it, try doing it at 200% size at 96 dpi.
Check your downsampling and compression settings in the save PDF dialogue box.
What are the pixel dimensions of your original photos and pngs that went into Illustrator?