PDF Compression & File Size

Overview

Smaller PDFs download faster, cost less to store, and fit within email attachment limits. This guide covers strategies to keep your generated PDFs lean.

Image Optimization

Images are the #1 contributor to PDF file size. Optimize them before using in templates:

• Compress images — Use tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh before uploading
• Right-size images — An image displayed at 200×100px doesn't need to be 2000×1000px
• Use JPEG for photos — Much smaller than PNG for photographic content
• Use SVG for logos/icons — Vector graphics scale without file size increase
• Avoid embedded screenshots — They're typically very large

File Size Targets

Template Design Tips

• Use CSS borders instead of image borders — much smaller
• Use background colors instead of full-page background images
• Minimize the number of custom fonts — each font adds to file size
• Use icon elements (vector) instead of icon images (raster)
• Avoid decorative images that don't add informational value

Font Impact on Size

Monitoring File Sizes

• Check generated PDF size via the API response metadata
• Set up alerts if average file size exceeds your target
• Review templates periodically for optimization opportunities

Next Steps

• Image Optimization — Detailed image guide
• Performance — Generation speed optimization
• Email Attachments — Size limits for email