I'm almost embarrassed to field this question as I've reduced many PDF file sizes before without problems, but this one has puzzled.
Situation:
I have been sent a PDF and I have no access to the original files. Size 254 x 190mm, 14 pages = file size of 8MB. I'm pretty certain it was created in Powerpoint with large all over images, text and gradients. Audit Space Usage shows 'Content Streams' @ 91.63%.
I need to reduce file size to host on a website.
What I've tried so far:
1. PDF Optimizer in Acrobat 9 Pro (Mac). Downsample colour images to 98 ppi, no fonts in file, transparency [Low Resolution], discard objects [all checked], discard user data [all checked] and clean up [all checked].
Result: same/similar file size
2. Save as option, export to PDF/X and print as PDF in OS/X.
Result: same/similar file size
3. Set-up InDesign document import PDF pages and create new PDF smallest size/maximum images.
Result: larger file size
My next course of action is to open each page in Illustrator and try to optimise individually but before I embark on this lengthly course I wonder if anyone has a quick fix I should try first.
Any ideas? I would be very grateful for suggestions.
