Scanned PDF settings

Last updated on Dec 5, 2025

Learn about the available settings for scanning PDFs and enhancing the quality and clarity of scanned documents in Acrobat.

Configurable settings are available when scanning documents to PDFs in Acrobat.

Available settings for enhancing scanned PDFs in Acrobat
Setting	Details
Scan using	Choose Default settings or your scanner’s native interface.
Pages	Select Front Sides or Both sides, if supported.
Color mode	Choose Autodetect, Color, Black and White, or Grayscale.
Resolution	Select the desired DPI (dots per inch).
Paper size	Choose the paper size or enter custom dimensions.
Output	Select Create New PDF, Append to File, or Save Multiple Files.
Optimize Image	Adjust the balance between file size and quality. Select Settings , choose the following image optimization settings as needed, and then select OK: Apply Adaptive Compression – Reduces file size while maintaining quality. Color Scans – Use JPEG2000 for efficient color image compression. Monochrome Scans – Use JBIG2 (Lossy) for compact black-and-white images. Deskew – Automatically straightens tilted scanned pages. Descreen – Removes dot patterns from printed images. Background Removal – Lightens or removes background noise (optional). Text Sharpening – Adjust the slider to make text crisper.
Recognize Text (OCR)	Convert text images into searchable, selectable text. Use Settings to choose language and output type.
Add Metadata	Opens Document Properties after scanning to add metadata. For multiple files, enter shared metadata once.
Make PDF/A-1b compliant	Select if needed for archival purposes.

Available settings for enhancing scanned PDFs in Acrobat
Setting	Description
Apply Adaptive Compression	Reduces file size while preserving quality. For optimal results: Scan grayscale or color documents at 300 dpi. Scan black-and-white documents at 600 dpi.
Color/Grayscale	For color or grayscale scans, select one of the following options: JPEG - Recommended for most uses. JPEG2000 - Not recommended for PDF/A files. ZIP - Use when lossless compression is preferred.
Monochrome	For black and white scans, select one of the following options: CCITT Group 4 - Standard compression for monochrome pages. JBIG2 (Lossless) and JBIG2 (Lossy) - Offers higher compression. Lossless ensures the best quality, while lossy reduces file size by up to 60% but is slower than CCITT.
Small Size/High Quality	Sets the balance point between file size and quality.
Filters	Deskew - Automatically straightens tilted pages. Background removal - Cleans up uneven backgrounds. Descreen - Removes dot patterns to enhance clarity and improve OCR accuracy. Best for 200–400 dpi grayscale/RGB or 400–600 dpi black-and-white scans. Use On for most images, Off for text-only or very high-res scans. Text Sharpening - Enhances text clarity. The default is Low. Increase the text size if it appears blurry or is difficult to read.
Text Recognition Options	Document Language - Sets the OCR language for accurate character detection. Output - Selects the PDF type. All options require at least 72 dpi input and convert scanned text to searchable, editable content using OCR.

Work smarter with Acrobat on your desktop
Create, edit, and organize PDFs with powerful tools that help you stay productive anywhere.

Open the app

Enhance scanned documents

Learn

Learn with step-by-step video tutorials and hands-on guidance right in the app.

Community

Join discussions, find answers, learn from experts, and share your knowledge.

Adobe Home

Access your favorite Creative Cloud apps, services, file management, and more.