Why PDFs get huge
Embedded high-resolution images are the usual culprit. Compressing those images before building a PDF often beats compressing the PDF afterward — and usually preserves text more cleanly.
On Bratora
PDF Compress activates only when Ghostscript is available on the host. Choose a quality preset that matches the job: screen/ebook for email, higher presets when print clarity matters. If you see Coming Soon, compress source images first with Image Compressor, then rebuild with JPG to PDF or Image to PDF.
Step-by-step when compress is available
1) Open PDF Compress. 2) Upload a non-encrypted PDF. 3) Pick a preset. 4) Download and spot-check pages with photos or charts. Files are processed temporarily on the server and cleaned up after download.
Fallback without Ghostscript
Shrink the photos with Image Compressor, then recreate the document with JPG to PDF / Image to PDF. Merge finished parts with PDF Merge if needed.
Opens the matching Bratora tool for this guide.
FAQ
Will text stay selectable?
Proper Ghostscript compression usually keeps text searchable. Extreme rasterization can turn pages into images.
Can password-protected PDFs be compressed?
No. Unlock them first — Bratora does not bypass document security.