Portfolio PDFs are looked at for 90 seconds. If the first page doesn't hook the reviewer, the rest doesn't matter. If it loads slowly, doesn't open on their phone, or weighs 200 MB, it doesn't matter either.
A good portfolio PDF is light, sequenced, and confident.
Plan the sequence
Cover page. Single-line intro. Best three pieces up front. Five to ten more pieces in the middle. About page at the end. Contact details on the back.
That's 12-18 pages. Anything longer and you're testing patience. Anything shorter and it feels thin.
Design each page in your tool of choice
Figma, InDesign, Canva, even Keynote — whatever you're fastest in. Export each piece as a PDF page at full quality. Keep the dimensions consistent (A4 landscape or A3 are common portfolio sizes).
For photo-heavy portfolios, export at 200-300 DPI. For text and layout-heavy, 150 DPI is plenty.
Merge into the final order
Drop everything into Flint's merge tool in sequence. Drag-reorder if needed. Add a cover and back cover.
For portfolios with case studies, use bookmarks so the reviewer can jump to each piece. The sidebar tree doubles as a contents page.
Compress aggressively for sending
Portfolios get emailed and uploaded. A 200 MB file gets rejected from every form. Compress the final PDF — for image-heavy portfolios, aim for 5-15 MB.
Don't compress beyond visible loss, though. The whole point is the work looking good. Test the compressed file at full screen before sending.
FAQ
What size should a portfolio PDF be?
Under 20 MB for email. Under 10 MB ideally, so it goes through any form. Compress until it lands in that range without visible quality loss.
Should each piece have its own page?
Featured pieces, yes. Smaller pieces can share a page in a grid. Don't cram more than four pieces per page or each one loses impact.
How long should a portfolio be?
12-18 pages for most fields. Designers and photographers can go longer if every page earns its place. Writing samples usually do better as a curated 6-10 pages.
Should I include text descriptions?
One line per piece — what it was, when, who for. Saves the reviewer asking. Longer case studies if the work needs context.
A portfolio PDF is your work edited and sequenced. Build the pieces, merge them in order, and send something that gets opened.