Overview
A digital PDF is usually exported from software such as Word, a browser, or a design application. A scanned PDF is usually created by photographing or scanning paper pages.
Why this matters
The type of PDF affects its file size, quality, searchability, editability, and how well it works with conversion tools.
Digital PDFs
Digital PDFs often contain real text, which can be searched, selected, copied, and rendered sharply at different zoom levels. They are often smaller than high-resolution scanned documents.
They are useful for resumes, reports, invoices, assignments, web-page exports, and documents created in office software.
Scanned PDFs
Scanned PDFs usually store images of paper pages. They can preserve the look of handwritten notes, stamps, signatures, and physical records, but may be larger and less searchable.
OCR can add searchability, although it may not perfectly recognise all visible text.
Choose the right workflow
Use digital PDFs when the source document is already available digitally. Scan documents only when the original exists on paper.
For scanned pages, capture clear images first, create a PDF, and use OCR only if searching text is useful.
How to do it with PDFClan
- 1
Identify whether your PDF is digital or scanned.
- 2
Use digital exports when a source file exists.
- 3
Use clear scans for paper-only documents.
- 4
Apply OCR to scans if needed.
- 5
Keep the original file or scan safely.
Useful tips
- Digital PDFs are often sharper and smaller.
- Scanned PDFs need good lighting and focus.
- OCR can help, but should be reviewed.
- Use the original source for major edits.
Important note
Always review downloaded documents before submitting, printing, signing, or sharing important files. Complex formatting, scanned pages, images, fonts, or document protection can affect processing results.