Confirm the real limit: Some portals mean 1MB = 1,000,000 bytes; others use 1,048,576 bytes. Aim slightly below 1MB to be safe.
Remove non-essential pages and images: Delete annexes, blank pages, and high-resolution photo pages if allowed.
Compress once and re-check: One controlled pass is better than multiple heavy compressions.
If it is scanned, rebuild at a lower target: Convert pages to images, compress images, then rebuild a PDF. Start around 150 DPI equivalent.
If still above 1MB, split: Upload multiple PDFs if allowed. This is often the only quality-safe route.

Technical tips that prevent quality loss

1MB targets are usually unrealistic for long scanned documents. Plan to split or rebuild from images.
For scanned PDFs, grayscale can reduce size while keeping text readable (use it if colour is not required).
Avoid repeated save cycles. Each pass can re-encode images and degrade clarity.
If the portal only accepts one file, prioritize: remove photos and keep only essential pages.
Always test readability on a phone screen before uploading.

FAQ

Is it possible to compress any PDF to 1MB?

Not always. Long scanned documents may need splitting or reduced page quality to reach 1MB.

Why do scanned PDFs resist compression?

Because each page is a full image. The file size is dominated by image data, not text.

What is the safest workflow for 1MB?

Remove pages first, compress once, then rebuild scanned PDFs via image compression, and split if allowed.

Will my text become blurry?

If you downsample too far, yes. Use a moderate target (around 150–200 DPI equivalent) and verify readability.

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