The PDF format is typically used to create and distribute read-only documents that preserve the layout of a page. They are meant to be non-editable. However, more often than not, you come across situations when you scan a document, and it comes out very light, almost unreadable. Or, you may come across important PDFs such as a contract with text and images that are too faint to be cognized. In these situations, you need a way to darken the PDF documents to make them readable.
May 04, 2021 Preview usually uses the Quartz filter to compress the PDF file. The steps we have outlined below will take you through the process of reducing the size of your PDF file using the Preview feature: Step 1: Locate the file you would like to compress on your Mac. Open the file with Preview.
This post teaches exactly how to darken a PDF on Windows or Mac. We will discuss the use of three specialized PDF editing tools to achieve that.
- Then you should go to menu bar on the top, click “File”, and select “Export” at the drop-down list, a window will pop up guiding you to reduce PDF file size on mac. Next, you should rename your PDF file, and you also have to select 'Reduce file size' on the drop-down list of “Quartz Filter”. And just click “Save” to get a.
- At the bottom of Colorsync Utility status bar, you can select the quartz filter you wish to apply (including any custom ones you made) Press 'Apply' Save the document; I hope this workaround can hold up for now. I do admit I miss the ability to see and use my quartz filters right out of preview.
How to Darken A PDF File with EaseUS PDF Editor on Windows
If you use a Windows PC, EaseUS PDF Editor is an all-powerful PDF editor you can use for various PDF editing functions, including darkening it. Darkening a PDF using this powerful PDF editing tool is easy and can be done with just a few clicks.
Moreover, this editor can be used to add, split, or merge PDF documents. New pages, including blank pages and specific pages from other PDFs, can be added easily. It also comes with features that can be used to interconvert PDF and other editable file formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and several image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.
Other important functions include:
- Add or remove watermark from PDF files
- Edit text font, color, size
- Crop a PDF as you want
- Extract text from scanned PDF documents using OCR
Follow these steps to darken a PDF using EaseUS PDF Editor:
Step 1. Open this program on your Windows PC. Click on 'File' > 'Open' and select the document you want to darken.
Step 2. Once the document opens, click on Pages on the secondary toolbar, and choose the 'Add' option in the sidebar.
Step 3. Now, in the From color field, select a dark color from the color palette. Finally, slide the bar next to Opacity to make it 100% and save the file.
Step 4. Once done, click 'File' > 'Save' to save your darkened PDF file locally.
How to Darken A Light PDF with Adobe on Windows and Mac
Adobe Acrobat Pro is another PDF editing tool you can use on Windows or Mac to darken a PDF. It can also be used to perform several other PDF editing functions such as convert it among PDF and several other editable formats such as MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and some image formats including JPG, PNG, etc.
Mac Download Folder
You can also edit a PDF document as you want using this tool. It can be used to easily create, add, split, or compress a PDF. It also comes with several security features with which you can encrypt, decrypt, watermark a PDF with ease.
To use Adobe Acrobat to darken a PDF, follow these simple steps:
Step 1. Open the PDF you want to darken in Adobe Acrobat. Go to the top menu, click on Edit> Preferences.
Step 2. Go to the Categories section, select Touch Up followed by Choose Image Editor. Now, a prompt asking you to choose an image editor will open. If you have Photoshop installed, it will be selected automatically.
Quartz Fiber Filters
Step 3. Now, click on Tools > Pages. Choose Add Background from the Background options.
Step 4. Once a prompt asking you to choose a background color appears, select a dark color and click OK. Next, click on Edit Text, select the part of the PDF you want to darken, and then click on Edit Object.
Step 5. You have to edit the object with image editing tools like Photoshop, GIMP, or any other image editing tool. To get there, click on Tools > Content Editing > Edit Text and Images, and then right-click on the page and edit it with your image editor.
Step 6. Save the file and close the image editor. The PDF should now be darkened.
How to Darken PDF File Using Preview on Mac
Preview is the default PDF and image viewer on macOS and comes with a range of PDF editing features. You can use this powerful PDF editing tool to darken a PDF and perform several other editing functions.
You can find text, display PDFs as a slideshow, print or lock a PDF easily using Preview on Mac. You can also make changes to PDFs like annotate, combine, crop, rotate, add effects or password protect PDF files easily.
To use Preview to darken a PDF on Mac, follow these steps:
Step 1. Open the PDF you want to darken with Preview.
Step 2. Go to 'File' > 'Export'.
Step 3. Go to the Quartz Filter section select Lightness Decrease.
Step 4. Save the file. When you reopen it, it should be darkened.
The Bottom Line
Darkening a PDF is often needed for easy comprehension and clearer readability. For that, you can use any of the three tools mentioned above. On a Windows PC, you can use EaseUS PDF Editor for several editing tasks, including darkening a PDF document.
If you are using a Mac, you can use its default built-in app Preview to darken the document. Or, you can use Adobe Acrobat Pro on both Windows and Mac to perform several PDF editing tasks, including darkening it.
The XQuartz project is an open-source effort to develop a version of the X.Org X Window System that runs on macOS. Together with supporting libraries and applications, it forms the X11.app that Apple shipped with OS X versions 10.5 through 10.7.
Quick Download
| Download | Version | Released | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| XQuartz-2.8.1.dmg | 2.8.1 | 2021-04-25 | For macOS 10.9 or later |
| XQuartz-2.7.11.dmg | 2.7.11 | 2016-10-29 | For OS X 10.6.3 or later |
| X11-2.6.3.dmg | 2.6.3 | 2011-07-20 | For OS X 10.5.x (final Leopard release) |
Important Info for 10.5 Users
OS X Software Updates have included some of the work done by the XQuartz project, but for various reasons, Apple cannot ship the latest and greatest version offered by the XQuartz site. Since the XQuartz X11 package clobbers Apple's X11.app, their software update will clobber the XQuartz X11 package. Because of this, you may experience conflicts after doing a Software Update from Apple. Please re-install the latest XQuartz X11 release for Leopard after installing a system software update to OS X 10.5.x Leopard.
License Info
An XQuartz installation consists of many individual pieces of software which have various licenses. The X.Org software components’ licenses are discussed on theX.Org Foundation Licenses page.The quartz-wm window manager included with the XQuartz distribution uses the Apple Public Source License Version 2.