How to reduce the file size of a Photoshop PDF
Updated 12 November 2026
Lower the JPEG quality and the resolution, export, and check the size. Presets make it quick, and you can fine-tune each setting.
The presets
| Preset | JPEG quality | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 100 | Original |
| 95 | 300 DPI | |
| Balanced | 80 | 150 DPI |
| Small file | 55 | 72 DPI |
Choose Custom to set quality and resolution yourself. Your settings are remembered next time.
Steps
- Select your artboards and open Plugins, then BoardPDF.
- Open Options and pick a preset. Balanced suits most screen and email use. Print suits printing.
- Look at the estimated size next to the page count. It gets more accurate after your first export.
- Export, then check the real file size. If it is still too big, step down a preset and export again.
Limits you should know
- These are image compression controls. They do not guarantee a target size, such as 5 MB. Export, check, and adjust.
- Lower resolution only reduces pixels. It never enlarges the image or changes the page size.
- Pages are images, so detailed artwork and photographs make larger files than flat graphics.
Also see how to export artboards to one PDF.
Get BoardPDF: ₹199 one-time (India), $4.99 elsewhere
7-day money-back guarantee. Photoshop 25.0 or newer.
Questions
What is the smallest preset?
Small file: JPEG quality 55 at 72 DPI.
Can I choose an exact file size?
No. Export, check the size, and adjust the settings if you need to stay under a limit.