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Understanding File Size

PDF file size affects uploadability, email delivery, and printing workflows. Too large = problems. Too small = quality concerns.
Typical ranges:
  • Business card: 1-5 MB
  • Flyer (single page): 3-10 MB
  • Brochure (8 pages): 10-30 MB
  • Booklet (20+ pages): 30-100 MB
  • Catalog (100+ pages): 50-200 MB

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What Makes Files Large

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Size Contributors

  • Images (60-80%)
  • Page Count (10-20%)
  • Embedded Fonts (5-10%)
  • Compression (5-10%)
  • Other Factors (1-5%)
Biggest factor: Raster imagesWhy large:
  • High resolution (300 DPI)
  • Large dimensions
  • Uncompressed formats
  • Multiple images
Example:
3000 × 2000 pixels image at 300 DPI
Uncompressed: ~17 MB
Compressed (85%): ~2 MB
Solution: Optimize images

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File Size Problems

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Problem 1: File Too Large to Email

Symptoms:
  • Email bounces back
  • “Attachment too large” error
  • Can’t send
Email limits:
  • Gmail: 25 MB
  • Outlook: 20 MB
  • Yahoo: 25 MB
  • Corporate: Often 10-20 MB
Solutions:
Reduce file size:In Print for Figma:
  1. Export tab
  2. Compression: Change from 85% to 75%
  3. Re-export
  4. Check new file size
Expected reduction: 30-50%Quality trade-off: Slight, usually acceptableIf still too large: Try 60-65% compression
Free services:
  • WeTransfer: Free up to 2 GB
  • Dropbox: Share link
  • Google Drive: Share link
  • OneDrive: Share link
How:
  1. Upload PDF
  2. Get shareable link
  3. Email link (not file)
Benefits:
  • No size limit (within service limit)
  • Recipient downloads directly
  • Professional
For multi-page documents:Split by section:
  • Part 1: Pages 1-20
  • Part 2: Pages 21-40
  • Etc.
How:
  • Export pages separately in Figma
  • Or use PDF split tool
Send:
  • Multiple emails
  • Or use file transfer service
Last resort: Not ideal but works
Before exporting:
  1. Open images in photo editor
  2. Resize to actual print dimensions
  3. Save as JPEG (85-90% quality)
  4. Replace in Figma
  5. Re-export
Example:
Original: 4000 × 3000 px (5 MB)
Needed: 2" × 1.5" at 300 DPI = 600 × 450 px
Resized: 600 × 450 px (200 KB)
Savings: 96%!
Most effective: When images oversized

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Problem 2: Printer Rejects Large File

Symptoms:
  • Upload fails
  • Printer says “file too large”
  • Processing errors
Printer limits:
  • Online services: 50-100 MB typical
  • Local printers: 100-200 MB
  • Specialty: Varies
Solutions:
1

Ask Printer's Limit

Contact printer: “What’s your maximum file size?”Common limits:
  • 50 MB: Budget services
  • 100 MB: Standard
  • 200 MB+: Professional
Optimize accordingly
2

Enable Downsampling

In Print for Figma:Export tab → Enable “Downsample images”What it does: Reduces image resolution to 300 DPI (removes excess)Example:
  • Original: 600 DPI image
  • Downsampled: 300 DPI
  • Size: 50% smaller
  • Quality: Identical at print (300 DPI sufficient)
Result: 30-60% file size reduction
3

Increase Compression

Export tab → Compression: 75% or 70%Trade-off: Slight quality reductionCheck: Zoom in PDF to verify acceptableResult: 20-40% reduction
4

Remove Unnecessary Elements

Before exporting:
  • Delete hidden layers
  • Remove off-canvas objects
  • Clean up duplicates
Minor impact: But good practiceResult: 5-15% reduction
5

Use Printer's FTP/Upload Portal

Ask printer: “Do you have an FTP server or special upload portal for large files?”Many offer: Direct upload for large filesBypasses: Email limitations

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Problem 3: File Too Small (Suspiciously)

Symptoms:
  • Business card PDF is 50 KB
  • Full-color brochure is 200 KB
  • Unusually tiny
Warning sign: Likely missing content or wrong settings Check:
Possible cause: Images not embedded or very low resolutionCheck:
  1. Open PDF
  2. Zoom to 400%
  3. Are images pixelated?
If pixelated:
  • DPI setting too low
  • Images not included
  • Re-export with correct DPI (300)
Check: Export settingsShould be: 300 DPIIf set to:
  • 72 DPI: File 4× too small, low quality
  • 150 DPI: File 2× too small, marginal quality
Fix: Set DPI to 300, re-export
Check: Compression settingIf set to:
  • 50% or below: Too much compression
  • Quality degraded
Fix: Set to 85%, re-exportVerify: Quality acceptable when zoomed

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Optimization Strategies

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Before Export (Most Effective)

1

Optimize Images in Source

Best practice: Prepare images before adding to FigmaProcess:
  1. Calculate needed size: 
    Print size: 4" × 3"
DPI: 300
Pixels needed: 4 × 300 = 1200 px width
                3 × 300 = 900 px height
  2. Resize in photo editor:
    • Photoshop: Image → Image Size
    • Or online: TinyPNG, Squoosh
  3. Save optimized:
    • JPEG: 85-90% quality
    • PNG: If transparency needed
  4. Import to Figma
Result: 60-80% smaller PDFs
2

Use Vector Where Possible

Replace raster with vector:Logos: SVG not PNG Icons: Vector not raster Shapes: Figma shapes not imagesWhy: Vector files tinyExample:
PNG logo: 500 KB
SVG logo: 10 KB
Savings: 98%!
Result: Much smaller files
3

Remove Unused Assets

Clean Figma file:
  • Delete hidden layers
  • Remove off-canvas objects
  • Delete duplicate images
Check: Layers panel for hidden itemsResult: 10-20% reduction

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During Export

  • Compression Settings
  • Image Downsampling
  • Font Subsetting
Choose appropriate level:For high-quality work:
  • Compression: 95%
  • Larger file
  • Near-perfect quality
For standard work (recommended):
  • Compression: 85%
  • Balanced size/quality
  • Excellent quality
For large documents:
  • Compression: 75%
  • Smaller file
  • Good quality
For proofs only:
  • Compression: 60-70%
  • Small file
  • Acceptable for review
Don’t go below 60%: Quality degrades

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After Export

If PDF still too large:Online tools (free):
  • Smallpdf.com
  • ILovePDF.com
  • Adobe Acrobat online
Desktop tools:
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro: Save As → Reduced Size PDF
  • Preview (Mac): Export → Reduce File Size
  • PDFtk: Command-line tool
Caution: May reduce qualityCheck: After compression, verify quality OKResult: 20-50% additional reduction
For very large documents (100+ pages):Option 1: Split by chapter
  • Chapter 1: Pages 1-25
  • Chapter 2: Pages 26-50
  • Etc.
Option 2: Split for delivery
  • Email Part 1
  • Email Part 2
  • Or use file transfer
How to split:
  • Adobe Acrobat: Tools → Organize Pages → Split
  • Online: Smallpdf split tool
Last resort: Not ideal but works

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Optimal File Sizes

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Target Ranges

Project TypeOptimal SizeMaximumToo Small (Warning)
Business Card1-5 MB10 MB< 500 KB
Flyer (1 page)3-10 MB20 MB< 1 MB
Brochure (8 pages)10-30 MB50 MB< 3 MB
Booklet (20 pages)30-80 MB100 MB< 10 MB
Catalog (50 pages)50-150 MB200 MB< 20 MB
In range: Good Over maximum: Optimize Under “too small”: Check for errors

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Troubleshooting Checklist

If file too large:
  • Check image sizes (resize to needed dimensions)
  • Enable image downsampling
  • Adjust compression (85% → 75%)
  • Remove hidden/unused layers
  • Convert rasters to vectors where possible
  • Use file transfer service if needed
  • Check printer’s size limit
If file too small:
  • Verify DPI setting (should be 300)
  • Check images embedded (not missing)
  • Verify compression not too high (< 60%)
  • Zoom PDF to 400%, check quality
  • Compare to expected size range

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Advanced: Very Large Documents

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For 200+ Page Catalogs

1

Optimize Every Image

Critical: Each image adds upProcess:
  • Batch resize all images to exact needed size
  • Compress to 85-90% JPEG
  • No image larger than needed
Tools: Photoshop batch processing, ImageOptim
2

Use Consistent Compression

75% compression acceptable for large docsQuality check: Proof first few pagesIf OK: Apply to all
3

Aggressive Downsampling

Enable: Bicubic downsampling to 300 DPIRemove: All excess resolutionMonitor: File size reduction
4

Consider Splitting

If still > 200 MB:Option 1: Split for upload
  • Printer may combine
Option 2: Physical delivery
  • USB drive to local printer
Option 3: FTP upload
  • Ask printer for FTP access

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Quick Reference

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File Size Reduction Methods

Impact ranking (most to least effective):
  1. Resize oversized images (60-80% reduction)
  2. Enable image downsampling (30-50% reduction)
  3. Adjust compression 85%→75% (20-40% reduction)
  4. Use vector instead of raster (50-95% for logos)
  5. Remove unused elements (10-20% reduction)
  6. Font subsetting (auto, 5-10% reduction)
Combine methods: For maximum reduction Example (100 MB file):
  • Resize images: → 40 MB
  • Downsampling: → 25 MB
  • Compression to 75%: → 18 MB
  • Total reduction: 82%!

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Learn More

Export Settings

Configure export options

DPI & Resolution

Understanding image resolution

Export Errors

Fix export problems

Performance

Speed up processing
Golden Rule: Optimize images BEFORE adding to Figma. Resize to exact needed dimensions = smallest files with perfect quality!