Why PDFs Created with Acrobat DC Have Different File Sizes
Question details
Users notice varying PDF file sizes when creating documents using different versions of Adobe Acrobat, such as Acrobat 10 and Acrobat DC, and want to understand the cause.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating PDFs from source files and comparing the resulting file sizes across different versions of Adobe Acrobat.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF file sizes differ significantly between older Acrobat versions and Acrobat DC despite using the same source document.
Before comparing PDF file sizes, ensure you are creating the PDFs from the exact same source file and using the identical creation method (e.g., printing to PDF versus using a PDF maker plugin).
Standardize Job Options for PDF Creation
Ensure you are using the exact same .joboptions settings in both versions to get a meaningful comparison of file sizes and control your output.
Acrobat DC does not intrinsically make PDF files smaller or larger than older versions. File size largely depends on the chosen job options, which dictate image downsampling, compression, and font embedding.
Notably, Acrobat DC recently updated its 'Standard' job options to embed all fonts and increase image downsampling to 300 dpi to accommodate modern high-resolution displays. This results in larger, but higher-quality and more reliable files.
Check whether you are using the Acrobat PDFMaker feature inside your Office application or printing to the Adobe PDF PostScript printer driver. Use the same method for both versions.
Open the PDF settings or .joboptions dialog in both your older version of Acrobat and Acrobat DC.
Navigate to the Fonts section and ensure both versions are configured identically. Decide whether to embed all fonts as subsets or leave system fonts out to save space.
Navigate to the Images section. Compare the downsampling resolution (e.g., 150 dpi versus 300 dpi) and compression level (lossy versus lossless). Match these settings exactly.
Save the matching .joboptions profile and export or print your PDF again using these identical settings to achieve consistent file sizes.
Easily Compress and Manage PDF File Sizes with WPS Office
If you are struggling with unexpectedly large PDF files and complex export settings, WPS Office offers a built-in PDF compressor that lets you easily balance document quality and file size in just a few clicks.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the large PDF document you want to optimize.
- 2. Navigate to the Tools tab: Click on the 'Tools' tab located in the top ribbon menu to access advanced PDF features.
- 3. Select Compress PDF: Click on the 'Compress PDF' icon to open the compression settings dialog.
- 4. Choose compression level: Select your desired compression level (such as HD, Normal, or Common) to find the perfect balance between file size and image clarity.
- 5. Compress and save: Click the 'Compress' button and save your newly optimized PDF file to your computer or cloud storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat DC make my PDF files larger than Acrobat X or XI?
Acrobat DC updated its 'Standard' job options to embed all fonts and increase image downsampling from 150 dpi to 300 dpi to support modern high-resolution screens. While this significantly improves visual quality and document reliability across devices, it inherently increases the final file size.
How can I drastically reduce the PDF file size in Acrobat DC?
You can reduce the file size by adjusting your .joboptions before exporting. Lower the image downsampling DPI (e.g., back to 150 dpi), use aggressive lossy compression for raster images, and opt not to embed common system fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, though this might affect how the document displays on machines missing those fonts.
Does the PDF creation method affect the final file size?
Yes. Generating a PDF using a plugin like Acrobat PDFMaker in Microsoft Word versus printing to the Adobe PDF PostScript printer driver can result in different file sizes. Each method processes source content, vector graphics, and embedded metadata differently.
