As organizations strive to manage increasingly large volumes of digital documents, PDF compression has become vital for reducing file sizes without compromising quality. However, not all PDF compression methods deliver the same results. The whitepaper, Not All PDF Compression is Created Equal, explores the various techniques and technologies used in PDF compression, highlighting the trade-offs between file size, image quality, and document integrity.
The whitepaper emphasizes that while many PDF compression tools promise reduced file sizes, some do so at the expense of content quality. For example, some solutions use simple downsampling, which lowers the resolution of scanned documents, potentially degrading the quality of text and images. Others may strip metadata, which can be problematic for indexing and tracking document origins.
Key PDF Compression Technologies:
- JBIG2 Compression: Ideal for black-and-white scanned documents, JBIG2 compression identifies repeating patterns, such as characters, and compresses them into a smaller file. However, the quality of the matching algorithm plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate character representation and preventing errors.
- JPEG and JPEG2000 Compression: For color and grayscale images, JPEG and JPEG2000 are popular choices. While JPEG is widely used, JPEG2000 offers significantly better compression rates without noticeable loss in image quality. However, JPEG2000 can sometimes cause delays when rendering large images.
- MRC Compression (Mixed Raster Content): MRC separates an image into different layers (foreground, background, and mask), applying different compression techniques to each. This allows for high compression rates while maintaining clear text and image quality. However, improper implementation can result in over-smoothing or artifact distortion, especially in images containing photographs.
The whitepaper concludes by recommending sophisticated PDF compression software that uses a combination of JBIG2, JPEG2000, and MRC, with the ability to balance file size, image quality, and document integrity.
Download the full whitepaper to understand how advanced PDF compression technologies can enhance your document management processes without sacrificing quality.