JPG to PDF problems fall into four groups: photos that show sideways, pages in the wrong order, white borders and a file that is too large. Each has a one-step fix.
Find your problem in the table, then read the matching section.
On this page
Key takeaways
- Phone photos can carry an orientation note that some PDF software ignores, so a photo may appear sideways in the PDF.
- The page order is the list order, and you can change it with the arrows.
- White borders come from fitting photos to an A4 portrait page.
- File size follows the photos, so shrink them first.
Problems at a glance
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A photo shows sideways | Orientation note not applied | Rotate the photo first |
| Pages in the wrong order | List order | Reorder with the arrows |
| White bands around photos | Landscape photo on a portrait page | Crop or rotate the photo |
| PDF is huge | Full-size photos | Resize, compress, then convert |
| Blurry text | Low resolution photo | Retake it in better light |
A photo appears sideways
Phones often save a photo in the sensor's direction and add a note saying how to turn it for display. Software that ignores the note can show the picture sideways. If a page in your PDF is sideways, save a copy of the photo with the pixels turned correctly. Open Rotate Image, choose the turn that makes the preview upright (or enter a custom angle of 0 if it already looks upright), download the copy and convert it instead. The background is explained in fixing a sideways or upside-down photo.
Pages are in the wrong order
The PDF follows the order of the file list. When you select a whole folder, the system may sort names alphabetically so that photo-10 comes before photo-2. Move files with the up and down arrows, or rename them with leading zeros (photo-01, photo-02) and add them again. If the PDF is already made, Reorder PDF fixes the page order.
White borders around the photo
Pages are A4 portrait. A photo with another shape is fitted inside and centered, leaving white space on two sides. To use more of the page, crop the photo to a portrait shape with Crop Image before converting. The numbers are in PNG to PDF page size and margins.
The PDF is too large to send
- Make the photos smaller with Resize Image. The 1920 pixel option is enough for a sharp A4 page on screen.
- Lower the file weight with Image Compressor.
- Convert to PDF, then use Compress PDF if it is still too big.
Text in the photos looks soft
A PDF cannot add detail the photo does not have. If the writing is blurry, retake the picture in even light, closer to the page and with the camera parallel to the paper. The tips in how to photograph documents for PDF help. The basics are in how to convert JPG to PDF.
JPG to PDF problems: FAQ
Why is my photo sideways in the PDF?
It carries an orientation note that was not applied. Rotate the photo and save a new copy first.
How do I change the page order?
Use the up and down arrows before converting, or reorder the finished PDF.
Why are there white borders?
Photos are fitted to an A4 portrait page, so other shapes leave white space.
Why is my PDF so large?
It contains the full-size photos. Resize or compress them first.
Can I choose landscape pages?
Pages are A4 portrait. Rotate wide photos 90 degrees if you want them to fill the page.
How can I make text sharper?
Use a sharper photo. Conversion cannot add detail.
Does the tool crop my photos?
No. The whole photo is shown.
Can I fix the order after creating the PDF?
Yes, with Reorder PDF.
Prepare the photos, then convert
Turn, crop and shrink the photos first. Then the PDF comes out right on the first try.
