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Published March 7, 2024

How to Convert Color PDFs to Grayscale

Introduction

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, PDF files have become an integral part of our daily workflow. However, there are instances where we might need to convert colorful PDFs into grayscale images. Whether it's for printing purposes, reducing file size, or simply focusing on the finer details, converting PDFs to grayscale is a valuable skill to possess. This article will explore various methods and tools for seamlessly converting color PDFs into captivating black-and-white images.

Colorful PDFs are visually appealing, but there are scenarios where a grayscale approach is preferred. Printing grayscale documents not only saves ink but also provides a classic and professional appearance. Furthermore, grayscale images often highlight finer details, making them suitable for documents with intricate designs or detailed graphics. Later in this article, we will also see how to use the IronPDF library from IronSoftware to work with PDFs.

Adobe Acrobat, being a widely used PDF tool, offers a straightforward method to convert a PDF to a black-and-white image.

How to Convert Color PDFs to Grayscale

1. Install Adobe Acrobat
2. Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
3. Open File and Navigate to the "Print" menu by clicking on "File" and selecting "Print."
4. In the print settings, select the 'Print in Grayscale' checkbox.
5. Save the newly created grayscale PDF to your desired location.

Step 1: Install Adobe Acrobat

The Adobe Acrobat can be easily installed from the official website here.

Click the download button to start the download process.

Once the .EXE is downloaded, double-click on it to install Adobe Acrobat on your machine.

Step 2: Open Adobe Acrobat

Open your PDF document using Adobe Acrobat. After installation, all the PDF files will automatically select the default app as Adobe Acrobat. Double-click to open the files.

Step 3: Open the File and Navigate to the "Print" Menu

Once opened, navigate to the print option as shown below

Step 4: In the Print Settings, Choose Print in Grayscale

In the printer setting window, select the 'Print in Grayscale' checkbox to convert PDF to grayscale. A small preview is also shown on the right side as seen below.

Step 5: Save the newly created grayscale PDF to your desired location.

Output

Now having converted the PDF to black-and-white, you can view the PDF file below and see that the document elements that were originally in color are now in grayscale:

Benefits of Converting PDFs to Grayscale

1. Reduced File Size:

   • Grayscale images typically have smaller file sizes compared to their colored counterparts, making them easier to share and store.

2. Print-Friendly:

   • Printing grayscale PDFs is more economical, as it consumes less ink or toner. It is an environmentally friendly option for those who seek sustainable printing practices.

3. Focus on Finer Details:

   • Grayscale images often accentuate finer details, making them ideal for documents with intricate graphics or detailed text.

4. Professional Appearance:

   • Grayscale documents exude a classic and professional aesthetic, suitable for business presentations, reports, or academic materials.

Additional Features

Acrobat Reader has many edit features listed on the left side of the pane. The list is shown in the image below:

Other tools are highlighted in the below image:

Introducing IronPDF

IronPDF is a simple and fast PDF library from IronSoftware.

Installing IronPDF

IronPDF can be installed using the NuGet package manager console or the Visual Studio package manager.

Installing using NuGet Package Manager

Install IronPDF using NuGet Package Manager by searching "IronPdf" in the NuGet Package Manager search bar.

Installing using the Package Manager Console

Run the following command in the Package Manager Console:

Install-Package IronPdf

Generating PDFs with IronPDF

Now we shall get all the users and generate a PDF report using HTML string and the IronPDF generator

// IronPDF namespace allows the project to access the library
using IronPdf; 
// Disable local disk access or cross-origin requests
Installation.EnableWebSecurity = true;
// Instantiate Renderer
var render = new ChromePdfRenderer();
// Create a PDF from a HTML string using C#
var pdf = render.RenderHtmlAsPdf("https://onlinetestcase.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/06/1-MB.pdf");
// Set Color and Grayscale
renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = true;     
// Export to a file or Stream
pdf.SaveAs("pdfoutput.pdf");

// IronPDF namespace allows the project to access the library
using IronPdf; 
// Disable local disk access or cross-origin requests
Installation.EnableWebSecurity = true;
// Instantiate Renderer
var render = new ChromePdfRenderer();
// Create a PDF from a HTML string using C#
var pdf = render.RenderHtmlAsPdf("https://onlinetestcase.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/06/1-MB.pdf");
// Set Color and Grayscale
renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = true;     
// Export to a file or Stream
pdf.SaveAs("pdfoutput.pdf");

' IronPDF namespace allows the project to access the library
Imports IronPdf
' Disable local disk access or cross-origin requests
Installation.EnableWebSecurity = True
' Instantiate Renderer
Dim render = New ChromePdfRenderer()
' Create a PDF from a HTML string using C#
Dim pdf = render.RenderHtmlAsPdf("https://onlinetestcase.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/06/1-MB.pdf")
' Set Color and Grayscale
renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = True
' Export to a file or Stream
pdf.SaveAs("pdfoutput.pdf")

Output

Here is a test document that was downloaded from the 'onlinetestcase' website and RenderingOptions.GrayScale is set to true to convert the page to grayscale. Below is the grayscale output.

Licensing (Free Trial Available)

IronPDF library requires a license key. This key needs to be placed in appsettings.json

"IronPdf.LicenseKey": "your license key goes here"

"IronPdf.LicenseKey": "your license key goes here"

'INSTANT VB TODO TASK: The following line uses invalid syntax:
'"IronPdf.LicenseKey": "your license key goes here"

A trial license can be availed from here. Provide the email ID and name, and the license will be sent to the email ID.

Conclusion

Converting PDFs to grayscale is a versatile skill that can enhance the quality and usability of your documents. Whether you opt for Adobe Acrobat, online converters, or specialized software, the process is generally simple and user-friendly. By understanding the benefits and various methods of converting PDFs to grayscale, you can make informed decisions based on your specific needs. Embrace the monochrome magic and unlock a new dimension of visual appeal and functionality for your PDF files.

IronPDF is a great library and a good skill set to have for developers who want to read and write from PDF documents.