JPG vs PNG for PDF: When to Use Which
When creating PDFs from images — or embedding images in PDF documents — the choice between JPG and PNG significantly affects file size and quality. JPG uses lossy compression ideal for photographs, while PNG preserves every pixel with lossless compression. Here's how to choose.
Understand the key differences between these formats and when to use each one.
JPG vs PNG for PDF: When to Use Which — Feature Comparison
| Feature | SublimePDF | PNG for PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Compression type | Lossy — some quality loss | Lossless — perfect pixel reproduction |
| Best for photographs | Excellent — small files, good quality | Overkill — large files for no benefit |
| Best for screenshots / UI | Poor — blurry text and edges | Excellent — crisp text and clean lines |
| Transparency support | No — solid backgrounds only | Yes — full alpha transparency |
| File size (photo) | Small (100 KB–2 MB typical) | Large (2–20 MB for same image) |
| File size (text/diagram) | Moderate (artifacts increase size) | Small (compresses flat colors well) |
| Color depth | 24-bit color | Up to 48-bit color + alpha channel |
| Re-saving quality | Degrades with each save (generation loss) | No quality loss on re-save |
| Resulting PDF file size | Smaller PDFs from photos | Smaller PDFs from diagrams/charts |
| Print quality | Good for photos at high resolution | Excellent — no compression artifacts |
Key Differences
The Verdict
There's no universal winner — the best format depends on your image content. Use JPG for photographs and natural images to keep PDF file sizes small. Use PNG for screenshots, text-heavy images, diagrams, and anything requiring transparency or crisp edges. When building PDFs with both types of content, use the appropriate format for each image. SublimePDF handles both formats for image-to-PDF conversion.
SublimePDF's client-side architecture is built on WebAssembly and processes files in the PDF open standard (ISO 32000), ensuring compatibility and privacy across all platforms.