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How to convert a PDF to JPG in high quality

By DeckleUpdated

To convert a PDF to JPG in high quality, open PDF to JPG, set Resolution to Print (300 DPI) and JPEG quality to Maximum, then choose Export images. An A4 page comes out at about 2480 × 3508 pixels with the least compression Deckle offers, sharp enough for printing and close reading. Your PDF is not changed.

PDF to JPG

Same physical page, more pixels

150 DPI

Letter: 1,275 × 1,650 pixels

300 DPI

Letter: 2,550 × 3,300 pixels

Double each dimension → four times the pixels

Example calculation · nominal sizes for an 8.5 × 11-inch page. Actual exports depend on page geometry and rounding.

How to convert a PDF to high-quality JPG

  1. Open PDF to JPG on a computer and choose your PDF, or drop it onto the page.
  2. Under Resolution, choose Print (300 DPI).
  3. Under JPEG quality, choose Maximum.
  4. Under Pages, keep All pages, or choose Choose pages and type only the pages you need.
  5. Check the summary, for example "8 images · 300 DPI · JPG · 100% JPEG quality".
  6. Choose Export images.
  7. Download the images and zoom to 100% on the smallest text to check it.

Before the result appears, Deckle checks that each JPG opens and has the pixel size expected for its page at 300 DPI; the Verified: line reports how many images were produced.

Resolution matters more than quality

High quality means two things, and Deckle sets them separately:

  • Resolution decides how many pixels each image has. More pixels mean finer detail and sharper small text.
  • JPEG quality decides how much of that detail survives compression. Higher quality means fewer smudges around edges.
Setting A4 page in pixels What it is good for
Screen, any quality about 595 × 842 Thumbnails only
Standard, Balanced about 1240 × 1754 Screens, email, most uploads
Print, Balanced about 2480 × 3508 Printing, with smaller files
Print, Maximum about 2480 × 3508 The sharpest JPG Deckle makes

A low-resolution image at Maximum still looks soft, because the detail was never there. Raise the resolution first. Going from Balanced (92%) to Maximum (100%) makes files noticeably larger for a small gain; in most prints the difference is hard to see.

Example: a 4-page restaurant menu is going to a print shop as JPGs. At Print and Maximum, each A4 page is about 2480 × 3508 pixels, enough for a sharp print at full size. At Standard the same menu prints at the right size but the small allergen notes look fuzzy.

Stay within the device limit

Each image is limited to 16 megapixels on most computers and Android devices, and 4 megapixels on an iPhone, an iPad or a device with little memory. An A4 or Letter page at Print is about 8.4–8.7 megapixels, so high-quality export of standard pages works on a computer but not on an iPhone or iPad. An A3 page at Print is about 17.4 megapixels, which is above the computer limit too.

Deckle checks every selected page before writing the first image. If one page is over the limit, nothing is exported. Export that page on its own at Standard, and the rest at Print. Calculating pixels from DPI has a table for other sizes.

When PNG is the better high-quality choice

JPG always discards a little detail, even at Maximum. For pages of text, line drawings or charts, PDF to PNG at Print gives lossless images with perfectly clean edges, often at a similar file size. Keep JPG for photo-heavy pages such as brochures, menus with photos and scanned documents, where it is far smaller. PDF to PNG or JPG explains the choice.

Tips

  • Export on a computer. The higher pixel limit lets Print work for A4 and Letter pages.
  • Do not upscale afterwards. Enlarging a JPG in a photo editor adds pixels without adding detail; export again at Print instead.
  • Avoid re-saving the JPG. Every save in a photo editor compresses it again. Edit once and save, or keep the original export.
  • Expect large files. A high-quality A4 page can be several megabytes; check upload limits before you send it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest resolution Deckle offers?

Print, at 300 DPI. Higher settings are not offered; an A4 page at 600 DPI would be about 35 megapixels, over the per-image limit on every device.

Is 300 DPI enough for printing?

Yes, for printing at the page's original size. It is the usual standard for sharp prints.

Why is my high-quality JPG still blurry?

The PDF page may be a low-resolution scan. Zoom into the PDF itself; if it is blurry there, a higher setting cannot sharpen it.

Does Maximum quality mean no compression?

No. JPG is always compressed. Maximum uses the least compression, but only PNG is lossless.

Related tools

  • PDF to JPG to export pages at Print resolution
  • PDF to PNG for lossless images of text and diagrams
  • JPG to PDF to put high-quality images back into a PDF