How to Batch Compress PDFs: Process Multiple Files at Once

Learn how to batch compress multiple PDF files at once. Save time when you need to reduce the size of many documents.

Got dozens of PDFs that need shrinking? Compressing them one by one would take forever. Here's how to batch compress PDFs quickly.

Why Batch Compression Matters

Imagine you have 50 scanned documents to email. Compressing each one manually? That's hours of work. Batch compression handles them all at once.

Best Methods for Batch Compression

Method 1: SmallPDF (Online)

SmallPDF has a batch compression feature:

  1. Go to SmallPDF.com
  2. Select Compress PDF
  3. Upload multiple files
  4. Download all compressed files

Free version has limits, but works well for occasional use.

Method 2: PDF24 Creator (Windows)

This free desktop app has excellent batch features:

  1. Download PDF24 Creator (free)
  2. Drag multiple PDFs into the window
  3. Select compression options
  4. Process all at once

Works offline and handles unlimited files.

Method 3: Command Line (Advanced)

For power users, Ghostscript can batch compress:

gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dNOPAUSE -dQUIET -dBATCH -sOutputFile=output.pdf input.pdf

You can loop this to process entire folders.

Tips for Better Results

  • Know your quality needs: Screen vs print compression differs
  • Scan at lower resolution: If creating new scans, 150 DPI is usually enough
  • Remove unused objects: Delete hidden layers and unused images first

Conclusion

Batch compression saves hours of work. Try PDF24 Creator for free offline use, or online tools for convenience.