You converted PDF to JPG to share an image. The result is soft, pixelated, and small. The PDF was crisp; the JPG isn't.
What's actually going wrong
PDF-to-image conversion rasterises pages at a chosen resolution. Default settings on many tools use 72-150 DPI, suitable for screen previews but too low for sharp images.
For print or detailed use, you need 300 DPI or higher. The converter rasterises at higher density, producing larger but sharper files.
The quick fix
Use Flint's PDF to JPG and choose high quality / high DPI output. Flint exports at print-suitable resolution by default for sharp results.
If your tool defaults to low resolution, look for a quality or DPI setting and bump it up to 300 or higher.
If that didn't work
If the source PDF was already low quality (scanned at 150dpi), no conversion can make it sharper than that. The conversion preserves source quality; it can't add detail.
For sharp output where the PDF has vector text, convert to PNG instead — PNG handles text and crisp edges better than JPG.
Prevent it next time
Choose appropriate DPI for the use case — 72 for tiny thumbnails, 150 for screen, 300 for print, 600 for detailed reproduction. And use PNG for text-heavy content; JPG for photo-heavy.
FAQ
What DPI should I convert at?
300 for print, 150 for screen viewing, 72 for thumbnails. Flint defaults to high quality. Adjust based on your target use.
Why is JPG blurrier than PNG?
JPG compression discards detail to save file size, especially on sharp edges (text). PNG is lossless, keeping every pixel exact. Use PNG for text and graphics; JPG for photos.
Can I sharpen a low-quality JPG later?
Sharpening filters help marginally but can't add missing detail. Better to re-convert from the PDF at higher quality.
Will higher DPI make my JPG huge?
Yes — file size scales roughly with the square of DPI. 300dpi is 4x the file size of 150dpi for the same page. Balance quality with size needs.
Sharp images need high DPI. Convert PDF to JPG in Flint with quality settings to match your use.