ACROBAT | 7-MINUTE READ
How to add an image to a PDF.
Learn how to add engaging visuals and images to your PDF documents.
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Discover how to add images to your PDF files and documents, whether you prefer to use a desktop program or online tools. This step-by-step guide shows you how visuals make your documents more engaging and professional and also answers common questions about the process.
PDFs are incredibly useful for keeping documents looking consistent on any device, but sometimes, only having plain text just can’t tell the whole story. Perhaps you have a report that would benefit from a visual chart or graphic, a resume that needs your headshot, or a marketing flyer that will pop with the right product photo.
These examples show the value of adding images. Adding photos to a PDF can help make the information you are trying to convey clearer, more engaging — and often — more professional, especially in branding. Think about a product catalog without images, or a do-it-yourself guide with no diagrams. They just aren’t as effective, are they? Adding a few visuals can completely change a static document into something dynamic and far more useful.
Sometimes, when you’re working with documents and images, you might also need to turn a PDF to JPG image or turn a JPG to PDF. These kinds of conversions are often helpful for different sharing or editing needs.
But how exactly do you add an image to a PDF? This guide will show you exactly how to do it. You’ll learn the steps if you use a desktop program designed for PDFs. Then, you’ll learn easy ways to add photos to PDFs using online tools, which is really helpful if you don’t have that desktop software.
How to add an image to PDF on desktop.
If you have a PDF program on your computer, you’ve got strong tools for editing PDFs. Adding an image to a PDF is pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s how to do it.
1. Open the PDF.
First, you’ll want to open your preferred PDF program. Then, open the PDF file where you want to put an image. You can do this by going to File and then Open or just by dragging the PDF file right into the program window.
2. Edit the PDF.
With your PDF file open, look at the list of tools on the right side of your screen. Click Edit PDF, and the menu bar will display new options for editing. This menu is also where you’ll find tools for drawing directly on your PDF for notes or sketches.
3. Add an image.
In the menu bar, find and click Add Image. This button looks like a small image of mountains with a plus sign.
4. Select the image file.
In the image window, locate the image file on your computer. Most PDF programs work well with common image types like JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and TIFF. Pick your image and click Open.
5. Place the image on the page.
After you select your image, your mouse pointer will look like a crosshair or a tiny preview of your image. This symbol means you’re ready to place the image in your PDF page. Place the image in one of two ways:
- Click to drop. Click anywhere on the page, and the program will place the image at its original size.
- Click and drag. If you know the size you want, click and drag your mouse to draw a box on the page. The image will appear inside that box.
6. Adjust the image.
Once the image is in the PDF, it will be surrounded by a box with handles. Now you can make it perfect:
- Move it. Put your mouse over the image until you see a four-sided arrow. Click the image and drag it to your desired location.
- Change its size. Grab any of the corner handles and drag them to resize the image. Tip: Hold down the Shift key while you drag a corner to maintain proportion.
- Turn it. Hover over the box and look for a curved arrow handle, often near the top or side. Click and drag it to turn the image to the right angle.
- Cut it. The Edit PDF menu bar also has a crop tool. Pick your image, click Crop Image, and drag the cutting handles to remove any parts you don’t need.
- Line it up. Use the alignment option to line up your image. Look for this option when right-clicking the image or accessing the Objects section in the menu bar.
- Layer. If you add several images on top of each other, decide which one is on top. Right-click the image to see options like Bring to Front or Send to Back.
7. Save your work.
When everything looks good, don’t forget to save your PDF. Go to File > Save or Save As.
How to add an image to PDF online.
What if you don’t have a desktop PDF program on your computer or you’re using a public computer or a tablet? No problem. Online tools give you an easy way to put images into your PDFs right in your web browser. This technique is handy for quick changes or when you need to work on a document without specific software.
1. Locate an online PDF tool.
First, open your web browser and locate an online PDF tool, such as Adobe Acrobat.
2. Edit the PDF.
Once you’re on the site, look for something that says Edit PDF or a similar button for changing PDF content. Many online PDF editors group all their editing features under one main Edit section.
3. Upload the PDF file.
The website will then ask you to upload your PDF document. Here are some easy ways to do it:
- Drag and drop. Click and drag your PDF file from your computer’s folder directly onto the upload area on the website. This method is often the fastest way.
- Click Select a file. This option will open a window that allows you to browse your computer and locate your PDF.
- Upload from cloud storage. Many online tools like Google Drive or Dropbox let you add PDFs straight from online cloud folders.
4. Add an image.
After your PDF loads in your browser, look for a bar or menu that has an Add image or Image button. You’ll use this option to add images to your document.
5. Select and upload your image.
Just like with the desktop program, you’ll then pick the image file from your device. Click Upload, select the image on your computer, and click Open.
6. Place the image in the PDF.
Once the image is uploaded, it will display in your PDF. Most online tools make it simple to move and change the image size:
- Drag to move. Click and drag the image and put it exactly where you want it on the page.
- Change size. Use the corner handles on the image to make it bigger or smaller. Holding the Shift key will help maintain the image’s proportion.
7. Save the PDF.
When your image placement is complete, find and click an option that says Apply, Save, or Download. The online tool will prepare your PDF, and you can usually download the updated file to your computer. Some online tools also let you save the file back to your cloud storage or share it directly.
Frequently asked questions.
Yes, it usually will. Images, especially larger, high-quality files, have a lot more data than just text, which makes your PDF’s file size larger. To help keep the file size manageable, resize your images before you add them. You can compress them or change their size in an image editing program. Also, some PDF tools have features to make the PDF file smaller after you’ve added everything.
Images look blurry if the original image was low quality or if you enlarged an image inside the PDF. Always try to start with images that are clear enough for the size you want them to be. For print documents, aim for images that are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at their final printed size.
Yes. With a program like Adobe Acrobat, you can move, change size, turn, and cut images right inside the PDF. Some online tools also let you do these basic changes. For more detailed image changes, like fixing colors or making fine adjustments, complete those in a separate image editing program before you add the image to your PDF.
While you might be able to paste an image in some situations (such as a temporary overlay), for reliable and proper integration of an image into your PDF’s actual content, use the dedicated Add Image feature found in PDF editing software or online tools. These tools are designed to handle images correctly within the PDF structure, ensuring they display well and can be edited later.
To remove a picture, you’ll typically use the same Edit PDF tools you used to add it. In most programs, you can click the image to select it (you’ll see the box around it), and then press the Delete key on your keyboard. You might also be able to right-click the image and look for a Delete or Remove option.
Generally, PDF editing tools let you add one image file at a time using the Add Image function. However, once you’ve added one, you can usually repeat the process to add as many more as you need to the same PDF. Some advanced tools might have options for batch importing, but adding them one by one is the most common method.
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How to add an image to a PDF.
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