IronPDF How-Tos Compress PDFs How to Compress PDF Files in Python Chaknith Bin Updated:July 28, 2025 PDF files are widely used for document storage and sharing, but they can become cumbersome due to their large file sizes. This can create challenges when it comes to sharing or uploading PDF documents, as well as managing storage resources efficiently. To overcome this obstacle, you can employ PDF compression techniques to reduce the size of PDF files. In this guide, we will delve into utilizing IronPDF to compress PDF files effectively. We will present you with practical code examples that you can readily incorporate into your own projects, enabling you to compress PDF files and optimize their size efficiently. How to Compress PDF Files in Python Install the Python library required to compress PDF files Utilize CompressImages method to compress PDFs Modify the integer parameter to fine-tune the compression intensity Save the reduced size PDF document with SaveAs method Check the resulting PDF document in PDF viewer IronPDF: PDF Library Welcome to the world of IronPDF, a robust and versatile Python PDF library that empowers users to harness the full potential of PDF files. Whether you're creating, manipulating, compressing, or reading PDFs, IronPDF has got you covered. It offers an array of powerful features to streamline your PDF workflows. One standout feature of IronPDF is its exceptional compression capability. It enables you to compress existing PDFs, effectively reducing file sizes while maintaining impeccable PDF quality. This is particularly advantageous when dealing with large documents that require swift sharing over the internet or via email. Install IronPDF via Pip To install IronPDF using pip, simply use the following command: pip install ironpdf Please noteIronPDF for Python relies on the IronPDF .NET library, specifically .NET 6.0, as its underlying technology. Therefore, it is necessary to have the .NET 6.0 SDK installed on your machine in order to use IronPDF for Python. Download the .NET 6.0 SDK from the official Microsoft website. PDF Compression with IronPDF in Python The below Python code utilizes the IronPDF library to compress PDF documents. from ironpdf import PdfDocument # Load the PDF document from a file pdf = PdfDocument("Image based PDF.pdf") # Compress images in the PDF with a quality setting of 60 (out of 100) # Lower numbers reduce quality to increase compression pdf.CompressImages(60) pdf.SaveAs("document_compressed.pdf") # Compress images with an additional option to scale down image resolution according to their visible size in the PDF # This may cause distortion depending on the image configurations pdf.CompressImages(90, True) pdf.SaveAs("Compressed.pdf") from ironpdf import PdfDocument # Load the PDF document from a file pdf = PdfDocument("Image based PDF.pdf") # Compress images in the PDF with a quality setting of 60 (out of 100) # Lower numbers reduce quality to increase compression pdf.CompressImages(60) pdf.SaveAs("document_compressed.pdf") # Compress images with an additional option to scale down image resolution according to their visible size in the PDF # This may cause distortion depending on the image configurations pdf.CompressImages(90, True) pdf.SaveAs("Compressed.pdf") PYTHON Explanation Loading the PDF: The code reads an existing PDF document called "Image based PDF.pdf" from the relative directory. CompressImages: The CompressImages method is used to compress images in the PDF. The quality parameter ranges from 1 to 100, where 100 retains the original quality. Saving the Compressed PDF: The compressed version is saved as "document_compressed.pdf". Alternative Approach: The second call to CompressImages includes an optional parameter that scales down the image resolution based on its visible size. The resulting PDF is saved as "Compressed.pdf". Feel free to compare the compressed file with the original PDF to observe the difference in file size and image quality. Before Compression After Compression Conclusion IronPDF is a cost-effective and powerful tool designed to compress PDF files in Python. It offers a wide range of features, including page rotation, HTML to PDF conversion, and image manipulation. These combined capabilities make IronPDF an excellent choice for developers who require a comprehensive and budget-friendly solution for compressing PDFs. Starting from just $749, IronPDF provides developers with an affordable licensing option, ensuring access to high-quality software without breaking the bank. With its reliable and robust PDF optimization functionality, IronPDF offers a hassle-free solution for developers in need of efficient PDF compression capabilities. Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of a robust and versatile PDF library in Python? IronPDF is a robust and versatile Python PDF library that allows users to create, manipulate, compress, and read PDF files. It offers powerful features to streamline PDF workflows, including exceptional compression capabilities. How do I install a PDF library in Python? You can install IronPDF in Python using the pip package manager with the command: pip install ironpdf. Note that IronPDF Python relies on the IronPDF .NET library, specifically .NET 6.0, so the .NET 6.0 SDK must be installed on your machine. Why reduce the size of PDF files? Compressing PDF files reduces their size, making them easier to share, upload, and store. This is especially useful for large documents that need to be sent over the internet or via email. How can I make a PDF smaller using a Python library? You can compress a PDF using IronPDF by utilizing the CompressImages method. This method allows you to adjust the quality of images within the PDF to reduce file size while maintaining quality. Is it possible to adjust the compression level when reducing PDF size? Yes, you can control the compression intensity in IronPDF by modifying the integer parameter in the CompressImages method. The quality parameter ranges from 1 to 100, where 100 retains the original quality. Will reducing PDF size affect the quality of images? Using IronPDF for compression can affect image quality depending on the compression settings. Lower quality settings can reduce file size but may also result in a loss of image quality. Are there any additional options for compressing images in a PDF? IronPDF provides an additional option to scale down image resolution according to their visible size in the PDF, which can further reduce file size. However, this may cause distortion depending on the image configurations. What are the advantages of using a comprehensive PDF tool for developers? IronPDF offers a wide range of features including page rotation, HTML to PDF conversion, and image manipulation, making it a comprehensive and budget-friendly solution for developers needing efficient PDF compression capabilities. What are the cost-effective options for accessing a PDF library? IronPDF provides developers with affordable licensing options, starting from just $liteLicense, ensuring access to high-quality software without breaking the bank. Chaknith Bin Chat with engineering team now Software Engineer Chaknith works on IronXL and IronBarcode. He has deep expertise in C# and .NET, helping improve the software and support customers. His insights from user interactions contribute to better products, documentation, and overall experience. Ready to Get Started? Free pip Install View Licenses