A résumé packet or event brochure exceeds an upload limit. The objective is not the smallest possible file; it is a readable file below the limit that actually applies. A photo-heavy PDF may offer substantial savings. The same aggressive setting can damage the tiny characters in a scanned table. Keep an unchanged source and judge each smaller version against what the recipient needs to read, print, or reuse.
Identify what makes the file large
Look for unnecessary pages, duplicate attachments, or full-page photographs first. Deliberately removing an unneeded attachment reduces size without degrading the pages that remain. Do not remove material simply because it is large, though; a required supporting document is still required.
If you have the editable source, export a fresh PDF with an appropriate image-quality setting. This can be easier to control than repeatedly compressing an already reduced PDF. A scan consists largely of images, whereas a digitally created document can store text and graphics more efficiently. The useful adjustment depends on what the file contains.
Begin with a moderate setting
Start with a moderate reduction and save under a new name. Advanced tools may downsample images or discard selected extra data. Treat those options separately: comments, form information, and embedded fonts are not automatically expendable.
Match the target to the delivery method. A screen-only photo booklet may need less image detail than a file intended for high-quality printing. A technical drawing that recipients must enlarge has a different requirement. Do not choose a blanket “smallest file” setting without testing at least one demanding page.
For multiple attempts, record the size and setting of each version. This lets you return to the smallest acceptable output without guessing from filenames. Avoid repeatedly processing the previous reduced copy; use the unchanged source for each comparison so that avoidable degradation does not accumulate.
Inspect more than the first page
Open the finished file outside the export dialog. Read small type, table values, captions, and faintly printed areas. Enlarge a page containing fine lines and check whether they remain distinguishable. Also test links, fillable fields, and searchability when those features are part of the intended document.
For a print document, print one demanding page. Then check the actual file size and upload that exact verified version. If the limit can only be met by making the content unreadable, use an accepted alternative delivery method or split the packet according to the recipient's instructions. A damaged file defeats the purpose of submitting it.