Your insurance company wants 'proof of address'. Send a screenshot of the bank statement? Or scan and PDF it? Both arrive, but only one lands properly. Here's the quick guide.
PDF for multi-page or text-heavy
Anything with multiple pages, text you want searchable, or formal presentation should be PDF. Statements, contracts, CVs, reports. PDFs handle pagination, embed fonts, look identical on any device. They also signal professionalism — sending a contract as a JPG looks amateur. If your source is multi-page or text-rich, PDF is the right format. Convert images to PDF when assembling from photos.
Image for single visual
Screenshots, photos, diagrams that stand alone, social media uploads — these are images. JPG for photos, PNG for screenshots and graphics with text. PDFs can hold images but they're overkill for single-frame visuals. The recipient can preview an image instantly; PDFs require a viewer. For 'here's what my screen looks like', screenshot wins.
Converting between them
Need an image of a PDF page (for a presentation, social post)? Convert PDF to JPG. Need a PDF of several images? Upload them to Flint and they merge into one PDF in page order. The conversion preserves quality both ways. Note: converting PDF to image loses text-selectability — the result is a flat picture, not searchable. Don't convert just to share a single page; split PDF keeps it editable.
FAQ
Can I just take a phone photo of a document?
Yes, but most phones can scan instead (Notes app, Google Drive app). Scanning corrects perspective and outputs PDF. Way more professional than a tilted photo.
Why do some forms reject images?
Submission systems often want PDF specifically for archival reasons — PDF/A standards exist for long-term storage. Images don't archive as predictably. If the form says PDF, send PDF.
What about PDF vs PNG for sharing screenshots?
Single screenshot: PNG. Multiple screenshots together with notes: assemble into PDF. PDFs let you label and order; PNGs are simpler for one-offs.
Multi-page or formal? PDF. Single visual or quick share? Image. Convert between them when needed.