Understand the key differences between flattening and compressing a PDF so you can choose the right option for your document.
Flattening and compressing are two common ways to prepare a PDF for sharing, printing, or storing, but they aren’t the same thing. Each process serves a different purpose and affects the file in unique ways. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right tool for your needs.
In this article, we’ll break down what flattening and compressing mean. We’ll also share how you can easily flatten PDFs and compress files using simple online tools.
The Differences Between Flattening and Compressing a PDF
Flattening and compressing a PDF are two distinct processes that serve different purposes, even though both processes can reduce a file’s size.
What Does Flatten PDF Mean?
Flattening a PDF means merging all layers and interactive elements, such as form fields, annotations, and buttons, into a single, static layer.
This process makes the content uneditable and helps preserve the document’s appearance exactly as you intend it across different devices or software.
Flattening is often used for forms, legal documents, or files meant for printing or sharing without further changes.
What Does Compressing a PDF Do?
Compressing a PDF involves reducing the file size by optimizing various elements within the document.
This might include downscaling images, removing unnecessary metadata, or applying more efficient encoding methods.
Compression helps to make PDFs faster to upload, download, or email, but it doesn’t change how the content functions. Forms remain fillable, and interactive elements still work.
How Can I Compress a PDF?
There’s a quick and easy way to compress your PDFs online without any additional software: use Smallpdf’s Compress PDF tool! Below are the steps to follow to compress your PDF:
Step 1: Go to Compress PDF and Upload Your Files
Visit Compress PDF and click “Choose Files” to select PDF files from your device. You can also drag and drop your files into the field.
Step 2: Choose Your Compression Setting
Your file may take a few seconds to upload. You’ll then be presented with a screen that allows you to choose from basic compression for a medium file size with standard resolution or strong compression, which is a smaller file size and lower resolution.
Choose your desired compression setting and click “Compress”.
Step 3: Download Your Compressed PDF
The tool will compress your PDF and take you to a page where you can download, export, print, or share your compressed file.
How Do You Flatten a PDF?
Do you need to flatten a PDF file? You can use Smallpdf’s Flatten PDF to quickly and efficiently flatten your document by following these steps:
- Navigate to Flatten PDF and click “Choose Files”. Alternatively, you can drag and drop files from your device into the upload box.
- The tool will flatten your PDF, and you can then download, share, or export your flattened PDF.
Flatten and Compress PDFs with Ease
Whether you need to flatten your PDF to lock its final look or compress your file for easier sharing, Smallpdf has the perfect tools to help. Try it now and make your PDFs easier to share, print, and store!
FAQs on Compressing and Flattening PDFs
Is flattening a PDF the same as compressing?
Flattening a PDF isn’t the same as compressing it. Flattening removes interactive elements, like form fields, by turning them into a single, static layer, making the document uneditable.
Compressing a PDF reduces its file size by optimizing images, fonts, and other elements without changing how the document functions.
Is it better to flatten PDF?
Whether it's better to flatten a PDF depends on how you plan to use your file. Flattening is a good idea if you want to preserve the document’s appearance, prevent edits, or prepare it for printing or sharing.
However, if you need others to fill out forms or interact with the content, it’s best to keep your PDF unflattened.
Does flattening a PDF reduce quality?
Flattening a PDF doesn’t usually reduce the visual quality of the document, especially when you use Smallpdf’s Flatten PDF tool. Flattening simply turns interactive elements, like form fields, comments, or layers, into static content without reducing the quality of the content.
What does flatten a file mean?
Flattening a file means merging all layers, annotations, and interactive elements into a single layer. In a PDF, this process removes things like buttons, comments, or fillable form fields, making the content uneditable.
Does flattening an image reduce quality?
Flattening an image typically doesn’t reduce its quality, but it does make the content uneditable.
When you flatten an image, all layers are merged into one, which helps preserve the image's appearance but removes the ability to edit individual elements. The visual clarity should remain the same as long as the image is saved in a high-quality format.
