Prepare PDF for Printing Shop
or Kedai Photostat Upload
Sending a PDF to a printing shop or kedai photostat is different from submitting to a government portal — the priority is print quality, not minimum file size. Compressing too aggressively before printing produces blurry physical output. Here's what to do depending on what you're printing.
How to Send Files to a Print Shop in Malaysia
| Method | File Size Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp (most common) | 100 MB | Quick jobs — simple documents, forms, assignments |
| 25 MB | Formal orders with instructions | |
| USB thumb drive | No limit | Large files, photo books, banners |
| Google Drive / Dropbox link | No limit | Very large files, multiple files |
| Print shop portal (some shops) | Varies — typically 10–50 MB | Online orders with delivery |
The vast majority of kedai photostat in Malaysia accept orders via WhatsApp. WhatsApp allows files up to 100MB when sent as a "Document" (not via Gallery/Photos). Most documents — assignments, forms, reports — are well under 100MB and need no compression for sending via WhatsApp. Only compress if the file is genuinely over 100MB or if the shop's portal has a tighter limit.
Should You Compress Before Printing?
The answer depends entirely on what you're printing:
| Print Job | Compress Before Printing? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment / essay / report | ✅ Light compression is fine | Text prints well even at reduced resolution |
| Forms / government documents | ✅ Light compression is fine | Simple content, no image quality concern |
| Resume / CV | ✅ Light compression is fine | Text and simple design print well |
| Photocopied documents / scans | ✅ Light compression is fine | Going through photocopy process again anyway |
| Photo prints / portraits | ❌ Do not compress | Print quality requires full DPI |
| Brochures / flyers (for distribution) | ❌ Do not compress | Professional print needs 300 DPI minimum |
| Banners / posters | ❌ Do not compress | Large format needs very high resolution |
| Photo books / albums | ❌ Do not compress | Photo printing needs full quality |
ShrinkPDF compresses by reducing DPI to screen resolution (72–96 DPI). Professional printing requires 300 DPI minimum. If you compress a brochure or photo for a print shop, it will print blurry — especially noticeable on photos and fine design elements. Keep the original full-resolution file for printing and only use a compressed version for digital sharing or portal submission.
🗜️ Compress Documents (Not Photos) for Printing
For text documents and forms going to the printer — Light compression is safe.
Compress PDF Free →Recommendations by Document Type
University assignments and reports
If your lecturer requires a printed copy and the file is large (e.g., a report with embedded charts and images), Light compression is safe. Printed text and charts look clear even at 120 DPI. Keep the original for digital submission.
Document photocopies and official letters
If you're sending documents to be photocopied (IC, certs, letters), the photocopy process itself introduces quality reduction. Light compression on the source PDF won't make a noticeable difference to the final photocopy. Send via WhatsApp as a Document.
CV and resume printing
Light compression is fine for printing a resume at a print shop. Even Balanced compression produces a result that prints clearly — text is sharp, layouts are preserved. Avoid Maximum for anything being printed.
Brochures and marketing materials
Do not compress. Send the full Canva or InDesign PDF at PDF Print quality (300 DPI). If it's too large to send via WhatsApp (over 100MB), share via Google Drive or USB drive instead of compressing and degrading print quality.
Sending via WhatsApp to a Printing Shop
Use "Document" not "Photos & Videos"
When attaching a PDF in WhatsApp, tap the 📎 icon → Document. Do not use the camera or gallery icon — that converts your PDF to images and will produce a much lower quality print.
Send the original if under 100MB
WhatsApp accepts files up to 100MB as a Document. If your PDF is under this limit, send the original without compression — especially for design files or photo prints.
If over 100MB, use Google Drive
Share a Google Drive link in the WhatsApp message instead. Most printing shops are familiar with this workflow. Never compress a print-quality file just to fit under WhatsApp's limit.