Reducing file size of PDFs

[lozenger]

Hi all,

I am trying to reduce the file size of an illustrator PDF to send to someone. I have tried the following:-

Document Raster Effects set to 150
Compression set to JPG Average Downsample images over 150

I then opened it in Acrobat Professional and clicked reduce file size

The file is still 10 MG - and I cant understand why, the graphics arent particularly big.

I'd be grateful for any help?
Lauren

ps - I should point out that I am actually a photographer not a designer so please speak slowly...

[Toon]

From Illustrator downsample to 150 and change the image quality to medium

[Web Design Geek]

yeah surely the lower you set the image quality at the smaller the file size

[lozenger]

Thanks for the replies.
The compression was already set to jpg medium, I have even tried setting it to low but it makes no difference. I tried Advanced> Optimize PDF> space audit in Acrobat and it said 98% of the bytes were being taken by "Piece Information", I dont know if this helps? It's a pain cos it's somebody else's file I have picked up (unfortunately he died recently so isnt much help!!) It might be easier to start from scratch!!

[Toon]

What is the total size of the Illustrator file?

[lozenger]

It's 10mb - it hasnt been saved as .ai file, have just been working on it in its .pdf state. Maybe that's my problem?

You know what I am going to give up and start a new one from scratch, it's only a simple advert. Thanks for the help though!
Lauren

[Cwilk]

Make sure you check off "Optimize for fast web view" and also when you do an Illy file in PDF format, it's a vector file, so you can go as small as 25 DPI and the clarity will be there for you (as long as you're not importing photo files into Illy). Try it and see. I would also go to LOW quality. It will still be crystal clear from Illy.

Most people don't think about that with Illustrator, but I've knocked the DPI down on may Illy files and they look great.

[Cwilk]

Another idea is to import it into a layout software (not photoshop) and create your PDF from there. Same rules apply with doing an Illy file through the layout software. Knock it down to a low DPI and it will look great.

[lozenger]

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