How to Choose Compression Settings Without Guesswork
Compare compression settings with a small representative sample, balancing file size against small text, image edges, and motion detail.
By mohammed alomari · · Updated
Open the related Compress Image application
Choose a representative sample
A nearly blank PDF page or a plain image is a poor test for a detailed document. Use a page with the smallest text, a photo with fine edges, or a video scene with motion. Keep a source copy for comparison.
Change one setting at a time
For an image, first decide the required pixel dimensions and output format, then compare the available quality settings. Changing dimensions, format, and quality simultaneously makes it hard to identify why a result became blurry or larger.
Stop when the requirement is met
Check the downloaded bytes rather than relying only on the preview. If the file meets the upload limit and preserves the needed information, further compression may have no practical benefit. Already compressed material may not shrink much.