A Complete Guide to Understand the PDF vs. PNG File Formats

People use different file formats according to their purpose and specific requirements. PDF file format supports the preservation of text, structure, and layout. In contrast, the PNG file format is for raster graphics and supports lossless data compression.

PDF vs. PNG could be understood by knowing the difference in their functionality and use cases. In addition to that, the ease of printing, sharing, and editing also differentiates these file formats. This article will help you understand what is PNG vs. PDF and how to convert them interchangeably.

Part 1: Introduce PDF and PNG

PDF and PNG are different file formats that serve different purposes and have different characteristics. You can understand what is a PNG file vs. a PDF through the detailed introduction of both terms offered below:

1. PDF Format

PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a format developed by Acrobat that is a widely used standard for exchanging documents. The key feature of PDF is its ability to present the document in a fixed and consistent layout. This file format helps the user view and print documents on any device or platform without compromising the format or layout. Moreover, it contains content, including images, text, forms, links, and other multimedia elements.

2. PNG Format

PNG is the abbreviation of portable network graphics, a raster graphic file format that supports lossless data format. Lossless compressions mean that the image quality is not compromised when the file size is reduced. It is an open-source alternative to GIF and was created to improve upon the limitations of GIF. Furthermore, this makes it suitable for graphics that require high detail and sharpness.

Part 2: PDF vs. PNG

The introduction of PDF and PNG shows that both formats have different uses and features. Some other metrics also clarify the PNG vs. PDF format concept in an effective way. These metrics have been discussed below to improve your understanding.

• Functionality: Mainly, PDF is designed to present the document in a fixed layout and format. Meanwhile, PNG is primarily for raster graphics that support lossless compressions and transparency.
• Use Case: PNG is used for static images on the web, logos, digital art, and icons where lossless compressions are essential. At the same time, you can utilize PDF for documents and forms management.
• File Size: PDF file size varies, and it supports the various compression methods based on the intended use. However, PNG contains the image only, so its file size is smaller than that of the PDF.
• File Quality: People can use PDF for high-quality printing and document exchange purposes as it preserves text quality. At the same time, PNG is excellent for maintaining image quality, especially in graphics.
• Editing: You can edit PDF with software like Adobe Acrobat and UPDF to adjust the layout and text in the document. As PNG is a static image format, it has limited editing capabilities compared to PDF documents.
• Printing: The PDF is designed for high-quality printing that maintains the structure and format of the document. Besides this, PNG is commonly used for digital graphics and cannot be printed as effectively preserved as PDF.
• Web Use: Primarily, PNG is used for web graphics, logos, icons, and other images, as this file format supports lossless compression. Meanwhile, PDF can be used for web documents, but not as commonly as PNG due to large file sizes.
• Transparency: PNG is well-known for transparency, which makes it ideal for graphics with smooth transitions. On the other hand, PDF supports transparency but not as smoothly as the PNG file format.

As we discussed, PDF vs. PNG is based on different metrics that indicate these two are different file formats. Both serve different purposes; therefore, the benefits and drawbacks of PNG and PDF are described in the table below.

Part 3: How Do You Convert PDF and PNG Formats to Each Other?

After discussing PNG files vs. PDFs based on various metrics, you have a better idea of both file formats. UPDF is a multi-purpose tool that can help you convert PDF into PNG and vice versa. This AI tool has a convert feature to make this file conversion step easy and seamless for users. In addition, users can create PDFs from several image formats, including PNG.

Plus, converting PNG format into PDFs is performed without losing the formatting, such as font, spacing, margin, and layout. UPDF also offers a faster conversion rate for converting PDF into PNG. You can also take advantage of its batch convert feature to effortlessly transform several PDF files into PNG. So, download the UPDF in your system to convert the PDF to and from different PNG file formats.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Converting PNG to PDF

If users want to preserve the layout and format of files, then PDF is the best option for preserving the file format. With the help of UPDF, you can create the PDF and maintain the structure of the PNG file. So, follow the easy-to-follow steps below to PNG files to PDF.

Step 1: Access the File Tab from the UPDF Main Interface

After installing UPDF on your system, launch it on your system to access the main interface. Now, click the "File" tab in the top left corner. By doing so, you will get access to several PDF settings and conversion-related options.

Step 2: Convert PNG to PDF via Create Feature

Upon entering the "File" drop-down menu, place your mouse over the "Create" option to access the options for PDF creation. Next, select the "PDF from Image" option from the expanded menu and import your file to create the PDF from the PNG file.

Moreover, you can automatically open the PNG file as a PDF in UPDF by dragging and dropping that file from the device.

Extract Tips: Batch Convert Multiple PNGs into PDF

UPDF even allows you to convert multiple PNGs into PDFs with the help of its batch-processing capabilities. For this, access the "Create" feature from the "File" tab and choose the "PDF from Image" option. Afterward, select all your PNG files from the device, open them, and hit the "Yes" button from the pop-up to combine the images into one single PDF. Or select the "No" button to convert images to one-by-one PDF.

You can also create a PDF file from any PNG file by downloading the UPDF PDF converter to your system. After downloading, purchase the Pro version of this tool to enjoy its limitless functionality.

Step-by-Step Guide for Converting PDF to PNG

You can also convert the PDF file into another format, such as PNG, with the help of UPDF. Additionally, there is no need for professional skills to convert PDF into PNG as it is an easy-to-use tool. The step-by-step guide to convert the PDF into PNG file format is given below:

Step 1: Export the PDF File and Open into UPDF

Download the UPDF toolkit and launch it on your system to get your hands on this PDF conversion tool. Now, import your PDF file in UPDF to access the contents of your document. Afterward, click on the "Export PDF" tool on the right side of this window and get the conversion menu. There, choose the "Image" option from this conversion options list.

Step 2: Convert the PDF into PNG via Export Feature

You get the mini window to select the "PNG" option from the image drop-down menu to convert PDF into PNG. Plus, you can customize the PNG file by choosing the custom page ranges and language according to your needs. Hit the "Export" button at the end to finalize the conversion process.

Extract Tips: Batch Convert PDFs to PNG with UPDF

You can also utilize the batch processing feature to convert several PDF files simultaneously via UPDF. To do so, access the "Batch" feature from the main interface of this PDF converter. Then, choose the "Convert" option and add multiple PDFs to start the conversion process. Afterward, adjust the conversion settings, such as choosing "PNG" as the output, and hit the "Apply" button to complete this process successfully.    

Conclusion

In conclusion, PDF and PNG are two different file formats depending on their purpose of use and characteristics. You can understand PDF vs. PNG more clearly through various metrics, including file size, quality, editing, and printing. Furthermore, the benefits and drawbacks of both file formats are different from each other. If you want to convert both formats interchangeably, UPDF provides you with the option to do so.

Users can create PDFs from various types of file formats to preserve the layout, structure, and text of the file. Therefore, download the UPDF in your system by clicking on the "Free Download" button pasted below. Additionally, hit the link for a detailed MakeUseOf review of this efficient PDF creator and converter tool.