Whether you take pictures for your passion or line of work, you probably have to share them. And while dragging and dropping a picture in an email seems like the easier choice, the process is not always smooth. Sometimes, the size of the image or the high number of files makes you wish for an alternative.

You could make things much easier if you convert PNG to PDF. Read on to learn more about the advantages of PDF and why you should be using it for your photos.

1. Preserving Image Quality and Resolution

One of the most significant downsides of converting pictures into JPEG formats is losing quality. To save space, many choose to convert high-resolution images into JPEGs, making it easier to store and send them. This option is great if you want to show someone a simple image, but may cause complications when used in different projects.

Here is the main difference between PDF and JPEG – while the latter compromises the resolution, the former preserves it. This makes it a great option for projects requiring you to have sharp images. JPEG compresses the data within the file, making it smaller. Still, since it uses “lossy” compression, it loses a bit of its data each time it is saved, affecting its quality.

Converting photos into PDFs is a great alternative if you want to compress the format while retaining the image data. It is very useful if you want to save files on a device with little storage. For instance, if you wish to mail the pictures or upload them into a flash drive for printing, learning how to convert PNG to PDF could make all photos fit without compromising their quality.

2. Universal Accessibility Across Devices and Platforms

Shared files will likely be viewed on various devices, so you should make them widely accessible. When comparing PDF vs PNG, the former is most probably supported on all computers, smartphones, and tablets. Regardless of your PDF reader, the chances of incompatibility issues are very low. Afterward, you could edit the files so they’re in the desired format.

When converting your photos into PDF, you can also put all images in one document, making viewing easier. When using formats such as PNG or JPEG, you have to access each image separately. At the same time, you spend a lot of time downloading the files. By putting everything in a PDF, all it takes is one click and you have access to all of the images you need.

3. Efficient File Compression and Storage

Nowadays, most pictures are large because technology has made it easy for everyone to snap high-quality images using a simple smartphone. The problem is that social media and communication platforms do not let you send large files – they have a limit you cannot surpass.

Once you learn how to convert PNG to PDF, most of the problem is solved. You no longer have to cut the picture down or compromise its resolution to send it. You need to transform it into a PDF, and the total size of the image shall be reduced. This will allow you to send all your images at once by merging them into a single document.

4. Ease of Sharing and Collaboration

When you collaborate with other professionals, you need to use a universal format. For instance, you took pictures of an architectural structure you want to render in 3D. While many companies use PNG images, high-class ones prefer different formats.

Thus, learning how to send photos as PDFs becomes essential, as most businesses already have this standard format. For example, very few companies use JPEG these days. Once your pictures are shared with others, maybe third parties won’t have time to go through and convert those files. Doing the conversion beforehand saves their efforts and improves collaboration.

5. Adding Security Layers to Image Documents

Technology advances by the day, so the risk of a cyberattack is quite prevalent. Over 80% of businesses have had a hacking problem, and these attempts can only be solved using high-security measures. If you have multiple protective layers on your essential data, it becomes more difficult for hackers to access and compromise it in case of a breach.

When you convert PNG to PDF, you get that extra layer of security. This happens because you can use a password to protect your PDF documents. The contents become inaccessible to hackers, making people unable to see or use the photos. The papers will have strong encryption, so even if third parties hack into the system, they cannot go any further. By the time hackers figure out how to get past that wall, you will have already kicked the unwanted visitors out.

Besides hacker protection, the extra layer of security may also help prevent other unauthorized people from accessing your photos. For instance, let’s assume you took some pictures for a special event that only a few select members can see. One way for them to access the images is via a key necessary to unlock the document, which you may select when you learn how to convert PNG to PDF.

6. Compatibility with Printing and Publishing Processes

When comparing PNG vs PDF for printing, printers require your document to have a specific format, and while you may sometimes select a PNG for this, it might not look good. Moreover, it could not fit the printer or publisher you’re using.

On the other hand, PDFs are widely accepted and supported. Furthermore, you do not have to worry that the page formatting will look off, as you can choose how you want it to be positioned. Using the right tool, you can edit the images within the document, crop and reduce their size, and position them until they are perfect for printing.

PDFs also make printing easier due to their ability to preserve image quality. JPEG images, which are easily stored on a flash drive, often appear pixelated when you try to print them. By saving your pictures in PDF format, you’ll have sharp photos, making every detail visible.

The Bottom Line

So, which file format would you choose to provide a viewable copy of your artwork to someone? Based on the data and benefits, the answer is PDF. It’s easier to browse through, compatible with multiple systems, safer, and ensures you are no longer limited to size restrictions. Using a PDF document for the images you work with will simplify your task, reducing inconveniences and delays.