A new development in PDF technology could significantly cut down the size of PDF files. Brotli, a powerful compression format already popular in web browsers and content delivery networks, is about to be introduced into PDF creation and display workflows. This move promises smaller PDFs, saving storage space and making sharing easier.

What is Brotli and Why It Matters

Brotli is one of the most widely used compression formats on the internet, yet many people don’t realize it. It’s built into all major browsers and CDNs, helping to speed up loading times and reduce data transfer. Despite its popularity online, Brotli hasn’t yet been used for PDFs, which have relied on an older compression method called FlateDecode since 1996.

The FlateDecode filter is also used to compress ZIP and PNG files. Now, the PDF Association is working towards standardizing Brotli for PDFs. They plan to publish a new specification this summer, enabling developers to integrate Brotli into their PDF processors. The goal is for Brotli to become part of the official PDF 2.0 standard, ISO 32000-2, maintained by the International Organization for Standardization.

Benefits and Potential Impact of Brotli Compression

As PDFs grow larger—especially in enterprise environments where data lakes store billions of files—the need for better compression becomes urgent. Using Brotli could reduce PDF sizes by 10% to 25%, depending on the content. This means smaller files that are faster to upload, download, and store.

However, adopting Brotli isn’t just a matter of flipping a switch. For PDFs created with Brotli, users will need updated software to open these files. Proprietary programs like Adobe Acrobat, Foxit PDF Editor, and Nitro PDF will require updates. Browser-integrated PDF viewers will also need to support the new compression method.

Beyond these major players, many open-source libraries, tools, and SDKs used inside companies will also need updating. These components are often buried deep within workflows, making the update process complex and time-consuming. If organizations delay, they risk encountering files they can’t open because their older software doesn’t recognize Brotli compression.

Challenges in Adoption and Next Steps

Getting widespread support for Brotli in PDFs involves overcoming some hurdles. The PDF specification requires consensus among many stakeholders, which can slow down the process. Guust Ysebie, a software engineer at Apryse, explains that early adopters need to make the first move to encourage others to follow. This “jump start” can help accelerate industry-wide adoption.

Supporting Brotli in PDFs will require updates across a broad ecosystem. Many software providers and enterprise workflows depend on third-party libraries, making the transition a big project. Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of smaller, more efficient PDFs make this a worthwhile effort.

As the new standard begins to take shape, organizations should start planning for updates. Staying current will ensure compatibility with future PDFs and avoid disruptions when newer files supporting Brotli become more common. The move toward Brotli compression could mark a significant step forward in managing digital document sizes and efficiency.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4124626/new-pdf-compression-filter-will-save-space-need-software-updates-2.html

Sources

• iso.org
• wikipedia.org
• pdfa.org
• pdfa.org
• computerworld.com