Confused about getting Acrobat to compress PDFs

[shorty83]

Hey there,
I have a job that has 48 individual illustrator files. The customer wants PDF proofs, so the easiest way I see to make them from individual files is to open acrobat go to file - combine files and make PDFs from that. I always check the smaller file size option when doing this to make the PDF package not too big. Well, the customers did not think it was small enough so now I save 8 files per PDF package and send it through 6 different emails. Fine, right? Nooo...now they don't like the fact that there are 6 emails. So, my question to you is, Is there any way to make the PDF files compress further? I already did the document - reduce file size and it did not change the size! Any help would be great!

Thanks!
Molly

 

[almaink]

Instead of using email to send them why not use a free online service to send a link to the files or better yet something like this?
quickshareit | start

 

[Dov Isaacs]

At a certain point, using options to reduce the PDF file size is more than just counterproductive. If you use joboptions (or subsequent "optimizations") that don't embed fonts, don't include color profiles, downsample images, and/or perform highly lossy compression on images, your customer will end up receiving PDF files that don't truly represent the content that is going to print. You need to impress that fact on them. Use of an FTP site or the free online service (there really isn't a free online service) to transfer the file may indeed ease the pain of file transfer since many e-mail systems are somewhat funky about allowing reasonable size file attachments. But in the end, graphically rich content does require heftier PDF files to properly represent the content.

- Dov

 

[J]

Dov Isaacs wrote: "there really isn't a free online service" to transfer files.

How is YouSendIt.com not a free transfer service? I've been using it for years and haven't been charged yet.

J

 

[Dov Isaacs]

The so-called free service is a teaser for low volume users. If you start using any significant volume of data, you obviously will begin to pay for one of their plans. There is really very little that is "free" in this world. It's just a matter of when and how you pay.

- Dov

 

[Lsmith3280]

I deal with a lot of pdf art proofing
and through my .mac club, I have space on their server which I upload to it and put them into files which they can pull off my server. That's one thing to do.
The other is in Acrobat, there is a an option "reduce file size" after you created the file. It will ask you in which version, put it to the newest version and this will make the file smaller still.
When dealing in multiple files, you might want to .zip or compress the files to email them and the customer can expand it at their end....But, this last option, gets me too many phone calls....And, I have to walk them through opening the files up.
Best option is make a public folder with server space (if you optonline, rr usually you get can get some space). Hope this helps

 

[J]

Hmmm, so Dov, a service that does not charge - i.e. that's free to use is not free according to you because you define it as a teaser service?

Baloney.

However, I guess that if you choose to pay for services that others enjoy at no cost - that is your prerogative.

J

 

[leonardr]

The so-called free service is a teaser for low volume users. If you start using any significant volume of data, you obviously will begin to pay for one of their plans. There is really very little that is "free" in this world. It's just a matter of when and how you pay.

While I hate to correct my colleague in public - I will remind him and others that Adobe has a COMPLETELY FREE file sharing service (and other services!) called Acrobat.com (yes, http://www.acrobat.com). You can either use it directly from your web browser, or we also have direct integration with it from Acrobat AND Reader 9.

Leonard

 

[SunniDaz]

PDFs - small file size

PDFs - small file size

Forget about all those services - if you are using Illustrator or InDesign, they have built-in PDF "makers" that make them small enough to email in most cases. Always turn your fonts to outlines/paths before you make the pdf and you won't have to worry about embedding fonts.

Illustrator: File / Save As ...then at the bottom of the dialog window "Format" gives you the option to save as a PDF. Then in the next window, click on "Adobe PDF Preset" and choose "Smallest File Size".

InDesign: File / Adobe PDF Presets...choose Smallest File Size. After you tell it where to save, another dialog box pops up with all your options.

For the "compatability" option, always choose 'Acrobat 4' - just in case whoever you're sending it to doesn't have the latest version of Acrobat.

 

[Dov Isaacs]

Why would you want to convert fonts to outlines/paths? That could dramatically increase the file of the PDF file, may significantly decrease quality of display and print, etc. over the size of the PDF file with the embedded fonts. It also eliminates the ability to search the document.

- Dov

 

[SunniDaz]

Well, depending on who you're sending it to & why, you don't have to turn them to outlines - you know your customer & what they may or may not need...if the pdf is for proofing purposes only, there's no reason not to change fonts to paths...and it does NOT dramatically increase the file size.

 

[gig0]

Adobe has a COMPLETELY FREE file sharing service (and other services!) called Acrobat.com (yes, http://www.acrobat.com). You can either use it directly from your web browser, or we also have direct integration with it from Acrobat AND Reader 9.

Leonard

If I want to share files from my Acrobat.com account, would other users need an Acrobat.com account in order to download the files via web browser?

 

[T]

While I hate to correct my colleague in public - I will remind him and others that Adobe has a COMPLETELY FREE file sharing service (and other services!) called Acrobat.com (yes, http://www.acrobat.com). You can either use it directly from your web browser, or we also have direct integration with it from Acrobat AND Reader 9.

Leonard

But for how long will it be "Completely Free"???

I give it 6 months or less.

 

[prepmaster]

If you're using Acrobat 8 then go to file / save as / PDF optimized / then choose 72 dpi and JPEG medium or high compression as your resolution and save the file with a different name. This should significantly reduce the size for your email. Converting fonts to outlines does increase size but not by much but it will preserve the look. Try that for size.

 

[Len Zigante]

making Illustrator PDF's smaller

making Illustrator PDF's smaller

If the illustrator files are complex may I suggest exporting your images as lower resolution JPGs and then having acrobat assemble them into a document. Depending on the complexity of the illustrator files this can save a huge amount of space.

 

[jbackus4]

Messaging Services!

Messaging Services!

I agree with some here that obtaining a free or not free online file storage service is your best solution, so long as your client is capable of using such services and so long as it’s just an email file size problem. I've had customers receive large files 'ok' via email, only to tell me that they could not pass along the PDF to another person because of the size.

Another solution, that I’ve used numerous times, is an online messaging program like AIM or MSN. So long as both have the same instant messaging program, you can transfer large files between each other. This is best used when a client needs to send me artwork for a rush job, when an overnight FedEx/UPS service takes too long and there are no other services available. ie FTP,email or other

Best of luck!
John

 

[RGB]

Just create your multi page PDF, run "reduce file size", and then save as a postscript file which you then drop in Distiller using the smallest file size preset. This can really reduce your file size without beating up the file too badly.

 

[kjacobson]

PDFs out of Native App

PDFs out of Native App

Producing the PDF out of the native application will give you the most optimization on the images and the most overall compression. If you don't have the native file save it out of Acrobat as a PS and then distill it using the smallest file size.

 

[michaelejahn]

free service ?

free service ?

Hmmm, so Dov, a service that does not charge - i.e. that's free to use is not free according to you because you define it as a teaser service?

Baloney.

However, I guess that if you choose to pay for services that others enjoy at no cost - that is your prerogative.

J

Sheesh - all Dov said was once you use the service PAST a certain volume - 100MBs - as is explained at the web site - you have to pay.

I that exceded amount in the last 1/2 hour, BTW...

if this free service were 'free' to any one at any volume, the people at Time Warner would certainly start using it for the thousands of PDF/X files they send and receive.

Last I checked, Future Publishing ltd makes 120,000 PDFs AN HOUR.

@ - shorty83 - the original poster

1. use FTP, stop emailing PDF files as attachments (version control issues ALONE will make you insane!)

2. Consider setting up and using a small month service like Basecamp with your customer

3. You get what you pay for.

Michael Jahn
Jahn & Associates
PDF Color Conversion Specialist
1824 North Garvin Avenue
Simi Valley
California 93065
Office: (805) 527 8130
Cell: (805) 217 6741
Email: [email protected]
Skype: michaelejahn
Twitter: Twitter / michaelejahn

 

[Nashy01]

Just create your multi page PDF, run "reduce file size", and then save as a postscript file which you then drop in Distiller using the smallest file size preset. This can really reduce your file size without beating up the file too badly.

I'd agree with this, best way to get small PDF files for email, The standard setting in distiller creates the smallest PDF file size.