Convert PDF to JPEG

PDF files are great for preserving the integrity of a document, but they can be a bit of a hassle if you’re trying to insert them into another document or presentation. PDFs also require a separate program to open, which may be confusing for your grandparents or your kids. Converting your PDF file to the JPG image format solves these problems, allowing you to embed, edit, and share with ease. Follow this guide to convert your PDF files without paying a cent for special software.

Steps

Using Online Conversion

  1. Find an online PDF to JPG converter. There are several to choose from, and most are free to use. These services allow you to upload your PDF file which will be converted to JPG format. If you have multiple pages in your PDF document, each page will be converted to a separate JPG file.
  2. Upload your file. Click the “Choose file” button on the online converter of your choice. Browse your computer for the PDF file that you want to upload. One of the limits to these services is that file sizes are typically limited to 25 MB per file (100 MB in Zamzar’s case and no limit on Smallpdf).
  3. On some services you can choose if you want to convert entire pages or extract the images saved in the PDF.
  4. Choose your conversion quality. Online converters typically set their default quality at 150 DPI, which results in decent quality conversions. You can usually change this to 300 DPI, which will dramatically improve the quality but lead to a much larger file.
    • Sometimes you will need to select JPG as the desired output format (others have JPG selected as standard).
  5. Download your converted file(s). The time it takes for your file to be converted depends on the amount of load the conversion server is experiencing as well as the size of your file. Many services will optionally email you once the conversion process is complete, or will email you the download links for the converted file.
    • If your file has multiple pages, you may be given links to download each page individually, or you can download all of the files at once in ZIP archive format.

Using Image Editing Software

  1. Open Photoshop, PaintShop Pro or GIMP. Photoshop costs a lot of money, PaintShop Pro somewhat less but GIMP is a free, open source program that mimics a lot of Photoshop’s functionality. All programs will allow you to quickly convert your PDF files.
  2. Open your PDF file. If the file is multiple pages, you are given the option to load them as Layers or Images. Select Images so that each page opens as a separate image file. If you select Layers, it will be difficult to convert the entire PDF document.
  3. Save/Export each image as a JPG. In Photoshop or PaintShop Pro, click File and select Save As. Select JPG as the file type. You can then choose the quality that you would like to save the JPG as. For GIMP, click File and select Export. Choose JPG from the dropdown menu of formats. Choose the quality of the JPG you want to make.
    • Repeat this for each of the individual pages.

Using Mac OS X Preview

  1. Launch Preview. Preview is an image viewing and conversion application that is included in Macintosh OS X. It provides a quick and easy method for working with many image formats, including PDF. If it's not in your dock, you can find it in your Applications folder.
  2. Open your PDF. From the File menu, select Open... Preview will present you with an Open dialog box, where you can open one or more files this way. This is useful if you have a lot of conversions to perform.
  3. Click File and then select Export. In the Export dialog box, select JPEG from the Format dropdown menu. You can then adjust the output quality and resolution if you desire. You can also change the name of the file if you want to differentiate it.
    • The Where menu will allow you to designate where you would like the file saved to.
  4. Click Save. Your PDF will be converted and the new JPEG file will be created. You can then open the JPEG in any image software, embed it in your documents or upload it on the internet.[1]

Using Google Drive

  1. Sign up for a Google account if you haven't already done.
  2. Upload your pdf (or any document) to Google Drive by clicking on the upload button around the top left.
  3. Open to view that document by clicking on it. You will see a color flipping circle which tells that it is loading the document. After a while you'll see that the document is displayed. Zoom to maximum value to your document to have best quality.
  4. Press F12 which opens "Element Inspector".
    • On Google Chrome, make sure "Elements" tab is selected. Click on the "magnifying glass" icon and click on the page of your document preview, which you want to convert to image.
    • On Firefox, switch to "Inspector" tab, click the "cursor in a rectangle" icon on the top left corner of that Inspector window and click on your document preview above(in Google Drive).
  5. Look for the link that is highlighted. It contains <img src="link to your jpg"> a bit (4 lines) below.
    • Right click on that link and select "Open link in new tab" and there you go! Your image is ready for you to save.

Tips

  • If you have Fine Print (demo free, but puts a watermark on it), print to the Fine Print printer. Save the printed file as a .jpg file.

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Sources and Citations