A report full of charts, screenshots and product photos. You need it as a PDF to email to a client. Word handles the export but the file ends up at 40MB and email bounces back.
Images convert at their stored resolution
Flint's Word to PDF embeds images at the resolution they're stored at in the DOCX. A 300dpi product photo stays 300dpi. A 72dpi screenshot stays 72dpi.
The converter doesn't downsample by default — useful for print-quality PDFs, awkward for email attachments.
Manage file size
Two strategies. Before conversion: in Word, select an image > Picture Format > Compress Pictures. Set target to 150dpi (email) or 220dpi (web). Then convert.
After conversion: compress the PDF. Strips redundant data and downscales images to whatever target you pick. For most cases, a quick compress at the end is easier than image-by-image work in Word.
Watch for wrap and positioning
Images with text wrapping ("In Line with Text", "Square", "Tight") convert as positioned in Word. Anchored images that float at specific page positions usually survive correctly.
If images shift on conversion, it's often because the DOCX had inconsistent anchoring. Open in Word, fix the anchors, re-convert.
SmartArt and charts
Charts become flat images in the PDF — the data is gone, the visual is preserved. SmartArt graphics convert similarly. If you need editable charts in the destination, keep the recipient on Word; PDF doesn't preserve chart data.
FAQ
Will photos stay sharp?
Yes — original resolution is preserved. Print-quality photos stay print-quality.
Can the converter downscale automatically?
Not in the free flow. Compress images in Word first, or compress the PDF after.
What about embedded videos?
Embedded videos in Word convert as still-image placeholders in PDF. PDF doesn't play video natively.
Will captions stay with images?
Yes — caption text stays attached. Linked figure references update if Word's auto-numbering was used; static text stays as-is.
Image-heavy doc, clean PDF. Convert your Word to PDF and compress if it's too big.