trying to reduce jpg/pdf file size, and preserving text readability

[saimike]

Hi there

I have a multi-page document. Each page is scanned at 300dpi and 8.5x11 inch big and saved as a jpg. Each jpg is >1MB, and I need to get it down to about 400-500KB. When I reduce the resolution, the text becomes hard to read. Because the document has some graphics/watermark, sharpening helps the readability of the text at the expense of overall grainy-ness.

Is there a way to improve the readability of the text while reducing the file size? Ultimately I will be creating a multi-page PDF using the irfan plugin. Thanks!

[Mij]

Are you reducing the resolution by reducing the scan dpi, by resizing the image after scanning or by some other method?
Also is it mainly text or is there a lot of graphics in the documents? If it is mainly text it may be possible to save in a different format such as PNG or GIF.