Pages and files

How to Compress a letter PDF

Updated 2026-09-17 · 2 min read

The usual reason to compress a letter PDF is a recipient name, address or date on a letter you are reusing.

Almost all PDF bulk is images. Text weighs nothing, so compression is really a decision about how much image detail you can spare.

PDFfont edits PDF text in the document's own embedded font — no white cover boxes.

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Steps to compress a letter PDF

Open the file and check which pages are photographs or scans — those are the heavy ones.

Delete any pages you do not need to send at all.

Export with image downsampling around 150 dpi for screen reading, or 300 dpi if it will be printed.

Check the result opens cleanly and the smallest print is still legible.

What to watch out for on a letter

With this kind of document, letterheads keep their logo and margins untouched while the text is replaced.

One caution worth stating plainly: check the salutation and reference line both match the new recipient.

Why the result holds up

Real text is never rasterised, so it stays perfectly sharp no matter how far the images are compressed.

Frequently asked

Does compressing blur the text?

No, only images are affected.

What size should I aim for?

Under 10 MB clears most email limits; under 5 MB is safer.

Can I compress a letter PDF on a phone?

Yes. The editor runs in mobile Safari and Chrome, with touch-sized controls and a share sheet for saving the finished file.

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