PDF Optimization Tools

PDF compression reduces file sizes by optimizing images, removing redundant data, and streamlining content. Use compression for email attachments (many services limit 10-25MB), faster downloads, efficient storage, or meeting upload limits. Quality settings balance size vs appearance: high compression creates smaller files but may reduce image quality, low compression preserves quality but reduces less. Text-heavy PDFs compress well without quality loss. Photo-heavy PDFs sacrifice some quality during compression.

Blank page removal automatically detects and deletes empty pages from scanned documents. Scanners sometimes capture blank backs of pages or create empty pages from feeding errors. The Blank Page Remover identifies pages with minimal or no content and removes them. This reduces file sizes, improves navigation, and prevents confusion. Set threshold for what counts as blank (completely empty vs minimal stray marks). Review detection before removal to avoid deleting intentional blank separator pages.

Form flattening converts editable PDF form fields into static text, preventing future changes. The PDF Form Flattener merges form data with the PDF itself, removing interactive elements. Use flattening for final submitted forms, archival copies, or preventing recipients from modifying entries. Flattened forms cannot be edited without PDF editing software. Keep original fillable forms if changes might be needed. Flattening often reduces file size by removing form infrastructure.

Cropping removes excess whitespace or margins from PDF pages, focusing on content area. The PDF Cropper lets you specify margins to trim from all sides uniformly or individually. Use cropping to remove scanner margins, eliminate header/footer space after removing those elements, standardize page sizes after merging PDFs with different margins, or create consistent borders. Cropping is lossless for content within crop area but permanently removes trimmed portions. Preview before cropping to avoid cutting important content.

Border removal specifically targets black edges or scanner artifacts from document scans. The PDF Border Remover detects dark edges and removes them automatically. This cleans up scans that captured scanner lid edges, document shadows, or binding margins. Unlike general cropping, border removal intelligently identifies unwanted borders while preserving content area. Results in cleaner, more professional-looking scanned documents suitable for sharing or archiving.