How to Convert Images to PDF: Create PDFs from Photos

Why Convert Images to PDF?

Images are great for sharing individually, but when you need to send a collection of photos, scans, or screenshots as a single organized document, converting them to PDF is the way to go. PDF format brings structure, consistency, and universal compatibility to what would otherwise be a loose pile of image files.

Here are the most common reasons people convert images to PDF:

• Submitting documents online. Many government portals, university applications, and corporate systems require uploads in PDF format. Scanned documents and photos of paperwork need to be converted before submission.
• Creating photo portfolios. Photographers, designers, and artists can compile their work into a single PDF for easy sharing with clients or agencies.
• Archiving receipts and records. Photographs of receipts, warranties, and important documents are easier to organize and search when compiled into labeled PDF files.
• Building instruction manuals. Screenshots and annotated images can be assembled into step-by-step guides in PDF format.
• Preparing print-ready files. PDFs maintain consistent dimensions and resolution across different printers and operating systems.
• Emailing multiple images. Instead of attaching 15 separate image files to an email, convert them into one PDF document for a cleaner, more professional presentation.

The key challenge is maintaining image quality while controlling file size and ensuring the pages are properly sized and ordered. Free2Box makes this straightforward.

How to Convert Images to PDF Using Free2Box

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Image to PDF tool on the Free2Box website.
2. Upload your images. Drag and drop one or more image files onto the upload area, or click to browse. The tool supports common formats including JPG, PNG, WebP, BMP, and GIF.
3. Arrange the page order. Your images will appear as thumbnails that you can drag and drop to reorder. The first image in the list will be the first page of the PDF.
4. Configure page settings:
   • Page size: Choose from standard sizes like A4, Letter, Legal, or set a custom size.
   • Orientation: Select portrait or landscape, or let the tool auto-detect based on each image's dimensions.
   • Margins: Set margins if you want white space around the images, or choose zero margins for full-bleed layouts.
   • Fit mode: Decide whether images should fill the page (potentially cropping edges) or fit within the page (potentially leaving white space).
5. Click Convert to generate the PDF.
6. Preview the result. Scroll through the generated PDF to verify that all images appear correctly, in the right order, and with acceptable quality.
7. Download the PDF. Save the finished document to your computer.

Preparing Your Images Before Conversion

The quality of your PDF depends on the quality of your input images. Here are some preparation steps worth considering:

Resolution and Size

• For screen viewing: Images of at least 1024 pixels on the long side produce good results on standard displays.
• For printing: Aim for at least 2400 x 3000 pixels for a full A4/Letter page at 300 DPI.
• For archival purposes: Use the highest resolution available. You can always compress later, but you cannot add detail back to a low-resolution image.

Image Cleanup

• Straighten scanned documents. If you photographed a document at a slight angle, use an image editor or your phone's built-in document scanning feature to correct the perspective before converting.
• Crop unnecessary borders. Remove fingers, table edges, and other artifacts from document photos.
• Adjust brightness and contrast. Scanned or photographed documents often benefit from increased contrast to make text more readable.

File Format Considerations

• JPG images are the most common and work well for photographs and general-purpose documents.
• PNG images preserve text sharpness better and are ideal for screenshots and diagrams.
• WebP images work just as well and are often smaller, making them faster to process.

If your images are in an unusual format, you may need to convert them to JPG or PNG first before creating the PDF.

Common Use Cases with Detailed Workflows

Scanning Documents with Your Phone

One of the most popular use cases is converting phone photos of documents into proper PDFs:

1. Take the photos using your phone's camera. For best results, use the phone's built-in document scanning mode if available (available in iOS Camera, Google Drive, and many other apps).
2. Transfer the photos to your computer via email, cloud storage, or a USB cable.
3. Upload to Free2Box's Image to PDF tool.
4. Set page size to A4 or Letter to match the original document size.
5. Select "Fit" mode so the full document image is visible on each page.
6. Convert and download.

This gives you a clean, standardized PDF that looks professional and is easy to share.

Creating a Photo Album PDF

For compiling vacation photos, event documentation, or a visual portfolio:

1. Select and order your best photos. Choose quality over quantity.
2. Upload them to the tool in the order you want them to appear.
3. Choose landscape orientation for landscape photos and portrait for portrait shots, or use auto-orientation.
4. Set margins to zero for a full-page photo experience.
5. Select "Fill" mode to make each photo cover the entire page.
6. Convert and download.

Assembling Screenshots for Documentation

For creating technical guides, bug reports, or training materials from screenshots:

1. Take annotated screenshots using a tool like Snagit, Greenshot, or your OS's built-in screenshot tool.
2. Upload the screenshots in sequential order.
3. Choose a page size that matches your screen resolution or use A4/Letter for a standard document feel.
4. Set "Fit" mode so the full screenshot is visible without cropping.
5. Add appropriate margins for a clean, professional look.

Alternative Methods

macOS Preview

On Mac, you can create a PDF from images using Preview:

1. Select all images in Finder.
2. Right-click and choose Open With > Preview.
3. Select all pages in the sidebar (Cmd+A).
4. Choose File > Print, then click PDF > Save as PDF.

This method works but gives you limited control over page layout and sizing.

Microsoft Word or Google Docs

You can insert images into a word processor and export as PDF. This offers more layout control (adding text, headers, page numbers) but is slower for simple image-to-PDF conversions.

Mobile Apps

Both iOS and Android have built-in or third-party apps for converting images to PDF. The Files app on iOS and Google Drive on Android both offer this functionality, which is convenient when your images are already on your phone.

Tips and Best Practices

• Compress images before conversion if you want a smaller final PDF. Running large images through an image compressor first can significantly reduce the output file size.
• Maintain consistent image quality. Mixing high-resolution and low-resolution images in the same PDF looks unprofessional.
• Use descriptive file names for your images before uploading. While it does not affect the PDF content, it makes it easier to identify and reorder pages during the conversion process.
• Check the output on different devices. Open the PDF on your phone and computer to make sure pages display correctly at different screen sizes.
• Keep the original images. The PDF conversion process may resize or adjust your images. Always keep the originals in case you need to recreate the PDF with different settings.

After Creating Your PDF

Once your image-based PDF is ready, you might want to:

• Compress it if the file size is too large for your needs.
• Merge it with other PDF documents to create a complete package.
• Add a cover page by merging it with a title page you created separately.

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