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Create PDF Files: eBook Versus Screen PDFs

In addition to providing the ability to customize your PDF output settings, the free (Windows-based) PrimoPDF provides four predefined configurations based on popular PDF usages –- Screen, Print, eBook, and Prepress. Although providing eBook and Screen options might seem redundant -– after all, output from both types are optimized for viewing on an electronic display — there are some key differences summarized below.

PDF conversion modes

‘eBook’ PDF files

  • Creates average-sized PDF files, balancing file size with visual fidelity
  • Downsamples images to 150 dpi
  • Fonts are fully embedded.

Best for:

  • PDFs intended for downloading from the web, in cases where readers will likely save a local copy
  • PDFs that are to be viewed on a variety of display devices, including eBook readers
  • Situations in which smallest file size is less important than ensuring the document precisely resembles the visual quality of the original file.

‘Screen’ PDF files

  • Creates the smallest PDFs, for faster display and reduced storage requirements
  • Downsamples images to 72 dpi
  • Fonts are not embedded.

Best For:

  • PDFs intended for viewing online via the browser, or where the document might be distributed via email
  • PDFs that are to be viewed on a computer monitor only
  • Situations in which smallest file size is critical, and retaining pixel-perfect visual quality of the original is not required.

Knowing these differences can be helpful when choosing one option over the other, depending on how your output will be used.

Note. If you’re on a platform other than Windows, or don’t want to install PrimoPDF to your desktop, you can convert PDF online free with PrimoOnline.

Related posts:

  1. The Free Way to Create and Append PDF Files
  2. Free online web services to create, view, share and edit PDF files
  3. Saving presentations in Google Docs as PDF files, Other PDF features that are needed
  4. Demystifying PDF Security, Applying it with PrimoPDF
  5. Word to PDF Conversion: Making Smarter PDF Files
  • Douglassshields

    Thank you for sharing this information.
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  • patriciad175

    Thank you for sharing this information.
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  • carolynkjones

    Yes, it's cool, and useful for me
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  • sharoncfejes

    PDF and DOC files each have their strengths, weaknesses and purposes, and it is not simply a matter of which format is “better”. PDF is the better ‘final format’ for maintaining the precise look of a file; Word is better for composing documents. When you fidelity 401k put PDF and DOC side by side, the grayest area comes when document changes are required: do you return to the source file, or do you use a PDF editor to make the changes.

  • tommyms1972

    In addition to providing the ability to customize your PDF output settings, the free (Windows-based) PrimoPDF provides four predefined fidelity 401k configurations based on popular PDF usages –- Screen, Print, eBook, and Prepress. Although providing eBook and Screen options might seem redundant -– after all, output from both types are optimized for viewing on an electronic display — there are some key differences summarized below.

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