How can I save/export pdf from word with same png resolution?

Question

I am using Word 2013. I inserted PNG and TIF images in the Word file. I exported the word file to PDF, but I saw their images are very low resolution.

I tried to increase the compression quality for pictures:

• Advanced > Image Size and Quality
• File → Save As → Save as Type: PDF
• Tools → Compress Pictures → (x) Print (220 PPI)...

but the image in the PDF still is low resolution.

How can I save/export the PDF file with same resolution in my Word file?

Answer 1

Try using a different PDF tool, the built in PDF feature in Word is really nice and usually sufficient, but trying to maintain image quality might be an issue.

You can get a freetrial of NitroPDF (my favorite): https://www.gonitro.com/

Or, PFDcreator is free: http://www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator

These tools will allows you more options when creating/publishing a PDFs.

Answer 2

In Word under File > Export you should see two different options for creating a PDF: Create Adobe PDF and Create PDF/XPF Document. Use the latter whenever image quality matters. Save As. . . > PDF (*.pdf) takes you to the same place.

To further improve image quality:

1. Go into the More options. . . menu before saving

2. Confirm your optimization level is Standard (publishing online and printing) and click Options. . .

3. De-select PDF/A Compliant and select Optimize for image quality. Save these settings and they will carry over to future PDF/XPF Document exports

These settings do not result in a perfect PDF, but their fidelity to the original Word document is a fair sight better than the other export option and the file size trade-off is usually reasonable.