How to Reduce PDF File Size in Illustrator

If you are currently facing the frustrating realization that your PDF came out to be 100s of Megabytes, don't worry! In this video, I show you the easiest way to reduce PDF file size in Illustrator. This is an Illustrator-specific tutorial, so if you do not have that software, this will not work for you. However, I plan to make another video soon that does not use Illustrator.

When reducing PDF file size in Illustrator, it comes down to PDF export settings, but if you can use smaller images, to begin with, you will have a higher chance of the PDF coming out very small.

Thanks for watching! How to Reduce PDF File Size in Illustrator

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[PodcastSpainYT]

Incredible man, thank you so much. Reduced some 1 GB architecture panels to 30 mb 😃 You made my uni hand-in possible

[clarypop]

Just emailed my bosses a brochure for review! Couldn’t fit the attachment at first, you’re a lifesaver 🙏🏻

[milathomas]

worked hard designing a resume and the file was too big. watched your video and got it just right, and the photo tip was on point. thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

[mcrmuse]

Thank you for this video!!! You literally helped me graduate because my final project was too large and canvas was not accepting it!! But because of your help it went down enough! Thank you again!!

[thecanonguru]

Very very helpful for me….I have made total 21 artboards in Illustrator and when I export in pdf the total file size was 855 mb and after watching this I apply the same in my Illustrator and then the pdf size was 155 mb only. Thanks buddy for helping in a intense situation.

[juliannieves]

This was super helpful! 1.5GB down to 7MB and the best part of it was the print was so clear. Thank you!

[donnababylon]

How do you change the photos to smaller size within illustrator? I believe you said you could at the end of the video. Thank you. This video was very helpful.

[kushalbhora]

That's amazing buddy, thank you so much! Reduced an 800MB design file to 10MB. Made it much easier for me to share them with clients!

[abhiramipavithran]

I did my portfolio which had 21 artboards and was so tensed how to compress the 700mb! Everyone told me it would be hard to compress the pdf. ThankU so muchh😍 l compressed it into 50 mb!

[Cricricricri]

ok, I had a file sized 35mb and now it's 799kb, you just saved me, thank you!

[williamnewmarch]

Saved my architecture degree with 8 hours to go, hero

[mr.farman]

Thanks dude it was very useful my file was near 1.5 GB and now it turns out to be 2 MB.

[jaypzl]

Great vid, thank you! Saw in the comments that someone used "High Quality Print" setting and it worked too. So I did also (plus unticked preserve Illustrator editing) and didn't mess with any of the Compression settings (quality's were set at Maximum). Worked just as well, taking my 3 letter-size page AI file from 498 MB to a 5.3 MB PDF. Hyperlinks were all still in tact and functional too. I'm using AI 2022 on iMac. Hope this helps!

[michaelbhoy]

This is brilliant. You've made my day! I've struggled with this for years so using uncheck Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities and setting to bicubic downsampling To 300 I've got a file size down to 2.5Mb from 108Mb (the smallest I could achieve). And with such a clear and simple explanation.

[allwlwlwel]

My file literally went down from 1.3GB to 4MB! THANK YOU!
Edit: I Actually ended up choosing High quality print cause i wanted it printed and it was only 12MB

[noon]

thank you very much for the helpful video but will the quality of the file be reduced when it comes to printing the file?

[Artistramd]

I'll definitely try this out. I always get files with large file sizes that I have to shrink down at work (tradeshow graphics). Newly subbed. Thank you!

[helmterbang]

You are life saver man, my 200mb files are now 15mb!😂🎉

[ivyonic]

Thank you very much, this is so helpful. I kept the quality to High or Max for Print Quality, it's still very good size.

[RenanPietroniro]

Thanks a LOT!
I was struggling with how to properly compress the images and this saved me!