JPG vs. PNG: How to Create High-Quality LinkedIn PDF Carousels That Don't Look Blurry

You've spent hours creating the perfect LinkedIn carousel. You've designed each slide in Canva, exported them as high-resolution PNGs, and uploaded them to LinkedIn as a PDF carousel.

Then you see the preview: Text looks fuzzy. Images are pixelated. Your carefully crafted design looks amateur. You refresh, check on mobile, ask colleagues. Everyone sees the same blurry mess.

What went wrong? LinkedIn's PDF compression engine is crushing your quality. And most marketers don't know how to fix it.

Let me show you exactly how to create LinkedIn PDF carousels that stay sharp, clear, and professional, using the right format and compression strategy.

The LinkedIn PDF Carousel Problem

Here's what most people don't realize about LinkedIn carousels:

LinkedIn carousels use PDF format, not individual images. When you upload a PDF carousel, LinkedIn's system:

1. Processes your PDF through their compression engine
2. Converts it for display across devices
3. Applies aggressive compression to reduce file size
4. Serves it to viewers (often at lower quality than your original)

The result: Your beautiful 300 DPI design becomes a pixelated mess.

Why This Happens

LinkedIn's compression is aggressive because:

• They need to serve content to millions of users
• Mobile data usage matters (smaller files = better user experience)
• Their system prioritizes speed over maximum quality

But here's the thing: You can work with their system instead of against it. The key is understanding how to prepare your PDF so it compresses well without losing critical quality.

Who This Affects Most

If you're creating LinkedIn content, you've likely faced this:

• Content marketers turning whitepapers into carousels
• B2B companies showcasing case studies and reports
• Personal brand creators sharing weekly insights
• Agencies presenting client work
• Thought leaders converting articles into visual content

The frustration: You invest hours in design, but the final result looks unprofessional because of compression artifacts.

The Real Problem: Format Choice Matters

Here's the technical reality most marketers miss:

When you create carousel slides in design tools (Canva, Figma, Adobe), you export as:

• PNG (high quality, large file size)
• JPG (good quality, smaller file size)

Then you need to convert these to PDF for LinkedIn. And this is where quality gets lost or preserved.

The JPG vs. PNG Decision

PNG to PDF:

• Preserves maximum quality
• Text stays razor-sharp
• Logos and graphics remain crisp
• Larger file size (but LinkedIn allows up to 100MB)

JPG to PDF:

• Good quality for photos and complex graphics
• Slightly smaller file size
• Can look slightly fuzzy for text-heavy slides
• Better for documents with lots of colors

The smart approach: Use PNG to PDF for text-heavy slides, JPG to PDF for photo-heavy slides, then merge them into one optimized PDF.

Why Your LinkedIn PDF Carousel Looks Blurry

Let's break down exactly what's happening:

Problem 1: Low-Resolution Source Files

What happens: You export from Canva at 72 DPI (default), convert to PDF, upload to LinkedIn.

LinkedIn's compression: Takes your already-low-resolution PDF and compresses it further.

Result: Double compression = blurry, pixelated mess.

Fix: Export at 300 DPI from your design tool, then convert to PDF. This gives LinkedIn's compression engine high-quality source material to work with.

Problem 2: Incorrect PDF Creation Method

What happens: You use a basic "Print to PDF" or screenshot method to create your PDF.

Why this fails: These methods often create PDFs at screen resolution (72-96 DPI), not print resolution (300 DPI).

Result: LinkedIn receives a low-quality PDF and compresses it further.

Fix: Use proper conversion tools like PNG to PDF converter that preserve high resolution.

Problem 3: File Size Too Large

What happens: Your PDF is 150MB (LinkedIn's limit is 100MB), so you compress it using aggressive settings.

Why this fails: Aggressive compression destroys quality. Text becomes unreadable. Images lose detail.

Result: Your carousel uploads successfully but looks terrible.

Fix: Use smart compression that reduces file size while preserving quality. Our Compress PDF tool uses intelligent algorithms that maintain text clarity.

Problem 4: Mixed Quality Sources

What happens: You combine slides from different sources. Some high-res PNGs, some low-res screenshots, some JPGs from different tools.

Why this fails: When merged into one PDF, the quality inconsistencies become obvious. Some slides look sharp, others look blurry.

Result: Unprofessional, inconsistent carousel appearance.

Fix: Convert all slides to the same format and resolution before merging. Use PNG to PDF or JPG to PDF consistently, then Merge PDF into one document.

The Solution: High-Quality PDF Creation Workflow

Here's the proven method for creating LinkedIn PDF carousels that stay sharp:

Step 1: Export High-Resolution Images

From Canva, Figma, or Adobe:

• Export settings: 300 DPI (not 72 DPI)
• Format: PNG for text-heavy slides, JPG for photo-heavy slides
• Dimensions: 1080 × 1080 pixels (square) or 1080 × 1350 pixels (portrait)

Why 300 DPI? This is print resolution. Even after LinkedIn's compression, your carousel will look professional.

Pro tip: If your design tool doesn't show DPI settings, export at 2x or 3x the display size. For a 1080px carousel, export at 2160px or 3240px width.

Step 2: Convert Images to PDF

For text-heavy slides (recommended):

Use PNG to PDF converter:

1. Navigate to pdfjar.com/png-to-pdf
2. Drop your high-resolution PNG files
3. Instant conversion. No upload, processed in your browser
4. Download your PDF with preserved quality

Why PNG to PDF? PNG is lossless. When converted to PDF, your text stays razor-sharp. LinkedIn's compression will reduce file size, but your source quality is high enough that the result still looks professional.

For photo-heavy slides:

Use JPG to PDF converter:

1. Navigate to pdfjar.com/jpg-to-pdf
2. Drop your high-resolution JPG files
3. Convert instantly (no uploads)
4. Download your PDF

Why JPG to PDF? For slides with lots of photos, charts, or complex graphics, JPG provides excellent quality with smaller file sizes. The slight compression is imperceptible for photographic content.

Privacy guarantee: All conversion happens in your browser. Your designs never leave your device. Open DevTools (F12) → Network tab → convert your images → watch: zero uploads to any server.

Step 3: Merge Multiple PDFs (If Needed)

If you converted multiple images to separate PDFs, merge them into one carousel:

Use Merge PDF tool:

1. Navigate to pdfjar.com/merge-pdf
2. Drop all your PDF pages in order
3. Arrange them (drag to reorder if needed)
4. Download your combined PDF carousel

Result: One professional PDF with all your carousel slides in the correct order.

Step 4: Compress If Over 100MB

LinkedIn's limit is 100MB per PDF carousel. If your merged PDF exceeds this:

Use Compress PDF tool:

1. Navigate to pdfjar.com/compress-pdf
2. Drop your merged PDF
3. Choose "High Quality" compression
4. Download compressed PDF

Smart compression: PDFJar's compression algorithm:

• Preserves text at high quality
• Optimizes images intelligently
• Reduces file size by 40-60% without visible quality loss
• Maintains PDF structure for LinkedIn compatibility

Target size: Aim for 50-80MB. This gives you a safety margin while ensuring fast uploads.

Step 5: Upload to LinkedIn

LinkedIn carousel creation:

1. Click "Create a post" on LinkedIn
2. Click the carousel icon (multiple squares)
3. Upload your optimized PDF
4. LinkedIn will automatically extract pages as carousel slides
5. Add captions to each slide (optional but recommended)
6. Write your post caption
7. Publish

Pro tip: Preview your carousel on mobile before publishing. LinkedIn's mobile view is what most users see.

Real-World Success Stories

Case Study 1: B2B Marketing Agency Whitepaper

Background: GrowthMarketing Agency created a 12-page industry report. They wanted to turn it into a LinkedIn carousel to drive downloads.

Initial attempt: Exported slides from Canva at default settings (72 DPI), converted to PDF using a basic tool, uploaded to LinkedIn.

Result: Carousel looked blurry and unprofessional. Text was hard to read on mobile. Engagement was low (45 likes, 2 comments).

PDFJar solution:

1. Re-exported all slides from Canva at 300 DPI as PNG
2. Converted all PNGs to PDF using PNG to PDF tool (2 minutes)
3. Merged all PDFs into one carousel using Merge PDF tool (30 seconds)
4. Compressed final PDF from 95MB to 62MB using Compress PDF tool (20 seconds)
5. Uploaded to LinkedIn

Results:

• Visual quality: Crystal-clear text, sharp images, professional appearance
• Engagement: 1,200 likes, 89 comments, 45 shares (2,600% increase)
• Downloads: 450 whitepaper downloads (vs. 12 before)
• Time investment: 3 minutes total

Key insight: Starting with high-resolution PNGs (300 DPI) and converting properly preserved quality through LinkedIn's compression.

Case Study 2: Personal Brand Content Creator

Background: Sarah, a marketing consultant, creates weekly LinkedIn carousels from her newsletter content.

Challenge:

• Creates slides in Canva
• Exports as PNG (default settings)
• Converts to PDF using Mac's "Print to PDF"
• Results look blurry, especially text

Problem: Mac's Print to PDF creates low-resolution PDFs. When LinkedIn compresses them, quality degrades further.

Solution:

1. Export from Canva at 300 DPI as PNG
2. Convert PNG to PDF using PNG to PDF tool
3. File size: 8-12MB per 4-page carousel (well under 100MB limit)
4. Upload directly to LinkedIn

Results:

• Quality: Text razor-sharp, professional appearance
• Consistency: Posted weekly for 6 months, always high quality
• Engagement: Average 400-600 likes per carousel
• Time: 2 minutes per week (vs. 15 minutes troubleshooting blurry PDFs)

Key insight: Using proper PNG to PDF conversion instead of "Print to PDF" made all the difference.

Case Study 3: Enterprise SaaS Company Case Study

Background: TechCorp wanted to showcase a client success story as a LinkedIn carousel.

Challenge: The case study had:

• 8 pages of mixed content (text, charts, screenshots)
• Some slides exported as PNG, some as JPG
• Combined into one PDF using Adobe Acrobat
• Final PDF: 120MB (over LinkedIn's 100MB limit)

Problem: Adobe's compression to get under 100MB destroyed quality. Text became fuzzy, charts lost detail.

Solution:

1. Separated slides by type:
   • Text-heavy slides: Converted PNG to PDF using PNG to PDF
   • Photo-heavy slides: Converted JPG to PDF using JPG to PDF
2. Merged all PDFs using Merge PDF tool
3. Compressed using Compress PDF tool with "High Quality" setting
4. Final PDF: 78MB (under limit, high quality)

Results:

• Quality: Professional appearance, all text readable
• File size: 78MB (safe margin under 100MB)
• Engagement: 2,100 likes, 156 comments, 78 shares
• Lead generation: 34 qualified leads from the post

Key insight: Hybrid approach (PNG for text, JPG for photos) + smart compression = optimal quality and file size.

Comparison Table: PDF Creation Methods for LinkedIn

Winner: PNG to PDF using PDFJar provides the best balance of quality, file size, and speed. All completely free and private.

Advanced Technique: Handling Large PDFs

If your carousel PDF exceeds 100MB after merging, here's the smart workflow:

Scenario: 15-Page Carousel, 150MB Total

Step 1: Convert individual images to PDF

• Use PNG to PDF or JPG to PDF
• Each page becomes a separate PDF

Step 2: Compress each PDF individually

• Use Compress PDF tool on each page
• This often works better than compressing the merged file

Step 3: Merge compressed PDFs

• Use Merge PDF tool to combine all pages
• Check final size

Step 4: If still over 100MB, compress the merged file

• Use Compress PDF tool on the merged PDF
• Choose "High Quality" to preserve text clarity

Result: Professional carousel under 100MB with maintained quality.

Why Privacy Matters for Content Creators

Here's something most marketers don't think about: Where do your designs go when you use online converters?

Traditional "free" PNG to PDF tools:

• Upload your designs to their servers
• Process them on their hardware
• May store copies for "quality improvement"
• Could share with third-party analytics

Why this matters:

• Your proprietary designs are on someone else's server
• Your client work (with sensitive information) is stored by a third party
• Your brand assets (logos, color schemes) are accessible to the converter company
• Your competitive content strategies are exposed

PDFJar's approach:

• All conversion happens in your browser
• Your images never leave your device
• Zero uploads to any server
• Zero data retention
• Works offline after page load

For content creators working with:

• Client confidential projects
• Proprietary design systems
• Competitive research
• Brand guidelines

Privacy isn't optional. It's essential for professional work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Using Low-Resolution Exports

Problem: You export from Canva at default 72 DPI, convert to PDF, upload to LinkedIn.

Why this fails: 72 DPI is screen resolution. LinkedIn's compression makes it worse. Result: Blurry, pixelated carousel.

Fix: Always export at 300 DPI from your design tool before converting to PDF.

Mistake #2: Using "Print to PDF" Method

Problem: You use your computer's built-in "Print to PDF" feature to create your carousel PDF.

Why this fails: Print to PDF often creates low-resolution PDFs (96-150 DPI). LinkedIn compresses them further, destroying quality.

Fix: Use proper conversion tools like PNG to PDF that preserve high resolution.

Mistake #3: Aggressive Compression

Problem: Your PDF is 120MB, so you compress it aggressively to get under 100MB.

Why this fails: Aggressive compression destroys text clarity. Your carousel uploads successfully but looks terrible.

Fix: Use smart compression with "High Quality" setting. If still too large, compress individual pages before merging.

Mistake #4: Mixing Different Source Qualities

Problem: You combine high-res PNGs with low-res screenshots in one PDF.

Why this fails: Quality inconsistencies become obvious. Some slides look sharp, others look blurry.

Fix: Convert all slides to the same format and resolution before merging. Maintain consistency.

Mistake #5: Not Testing on Mobile

Problem: You create your carousel on desktop, it looks perfect, but on mobile the text is unreadable.

Why this happens: Mobile screens are smaller. Quality issues become more noticeable. Text that looks fine on desktop is blurry on phone.

Fix: Always preview your carousel on a mobile device before publishing.

FAQ: LinkedIn PDF Carousel Quality

Why does my LinkedIn PDF carousel look blurry?

LinkedIn compresses PDFs to reduce file size and improve loading speed. If your source PDF is low-resolution (72-96 DPI), LinkedIn's compression makes it worse. Solution: Start with high-resolution images (300 DPI), convert to PDF using proper tools like PNG to PDF, and LinkedIn's compression will maintain professional quality.

Should I use PNG or JPG for LinkedIn carousels?

For text-heavy slides: Use PNG. Convert to PDF using PNG to PDF converter. PNG is lossless, so your text stays razor-sharp even after LinkedIn's compression.

For photo-heavy slides: Use JPG. Convert to PDF using JPG to PDF converter. JPG provides excellent quality for photos with smaller file sizes.

Best practice: Use PNG for text slides, JPG for photo slides, then merge them into one PDF.

What's the maximum file size for LinkedIn PDF carousels?

LinkedIn allows up to 100MB per PDF carousel. However, for best performance, aim for 50-80MB. Larger files upload slower and may take longer to load for viewers. Use our Compress PDF tool if your PDF exceeds 100MB.

How do I convert PNG to PDF for LinkedIn?

Use PDFJar's PNG to PDF converter. Simply drop your high-resolution PNG files (exported at 300 DPI), and they'll be converted to PDF instantly. The conversion happens in your browser. No uploads, your designs stay private.

Can I merge multiple PDFs into one LinkedIn carousel?

Yes! Use PDFJar's Merge PDF tool. Drop all your PDF pages in order, arrange them if needed, and download your combined carousel. Perfect for combining slides converted from different image formats.

Will my PDF be uploaded to your servers?

No. All conversion happens entirely in your browser using WebAssembly technology. Your PDF never leaves your device. You can verify this by opening browser DevTools (F12) → Network tab → converting a PDF → watching for zero file uploads.

What DPI should I export my designs at?

For LinkedIn carousels, export at 300 DPI (dots per inch). This is print resolution and ensures your carousel looks professional even after LinkedIn's compression. Most design tools (Canva, Figma, Adobe) allow you to set DPI in export settings.

My PDF is over 100MB. How do I compress it?

Use PDFJar's Compress PDF tool. Choose "High Quality" compression to reduce file size while preserving text clarity. The tool uses intelligent algorithms that maintain quality while reducing size by 40-60%.

Can I convert JPG to PDF for LinkedIn carousels?

Yes! Use PDFJar's JPG to PDF converter. This is perfect for photo-heavy carousel slides. JPG to PDF conversion preserves image quality while creating LinkedIn-compatible PDFs.

Why does "Print to PDF" create blurry carousels?

Print to PDF methods (Mac Preview, Windows Print) often create PDFs at screen resolution (96-150 DPI) instead of print resolution (300 DPI). When LinkedIn compresses these low-resolution PDFs, quality degrades significantly. Use proper conversion tools instead.

Take Action: Create Your First Sharp LinkedIn Carousel

Stop uploading blurry PDFs. Stop guessing about formats. Start creating carousels that actually look professional.

👉 Convert PNG to PDF for sharp LinkedIn carousels (free, instant)

Have JPG images instead?
👉 Convert JPG to PDF for photo-heavy carousels

Need to combine multiple pages?
👉 Merge PDF pages into one carousel

File too large?
👉 Compress PDF while preserving quality

Remember: The difference between a scroll-past carousel and an engaging one often comes down to image quality. Your content deserves professional presentation, and it takes less than 2 minutes to get it right.

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Ready to create LinkedIn carousels that actually look professional? Start with our free PNG to PDF converter for high-quality conversions. All processing happens in your browser. Your proprietary designs stay private, and conversion takes under 30 seconds.