Why Converting PDFs to Images Manually Wastes Time

If you’re a Mac user looking to save time and increase productivity, learning how to convert PDFs to images on Mac can be a game-changer. Whether you’re creating digital content, working on a presentation, or building a magazine layout, manually exporting each page of a multiple-page PDF is not only frustrating—it’s inefficient. Thankfully, there’s a fast and free solution built right into your system.

The Problem: Manual PDF Conversion Is a Time-Waster

I recently encountered this issue while working on a magazine project. I was given 14 individual slide show PDFs, each containing anywhere between 75 to 150 pages, as part of the marketing kit from one of our new development partners. I needed to extract specific pages from these PDFs as images for the magazine I was creating. Manually exporting each page would have taken an eternity, especially considering the number of pages involved. This task seemed overwhelming, but I knew there had to be a more efficient way to get it done.

Use Automator to Convert PDFs to Images—Fast and Free

Luckily, I discovered a simple yet powerful solution using Automator on my Mac. Automator is a FREE program that comes pre-installed on all Macs, so you don’t need to spend any money or download extra applications. This built-in tool allows you to automate repetitive tasks, saving you hours of manual work. With just a few steps, you can convert multiple-page PDFs into individual images, ready to be used in your designs or shared with clients.

Step-by-Step Guide: Convert PDFs to Images Using Automator

Step 1: Open Automator and Create a New Workflow

Start by opening Automator on your Mac. Once opened, select “File” and then “New” to create a new workflow.

Step 2: Set Up the Actions for PDF to Image Conversion

In the Actions panel, you’ll need to add the following actions to your workflow:

• Get Specified Finder Items: This action allows you to select the PDF file(s) you want to convert. Click “Add” to locate and select your PDF file in Finder.

• Render PDF Pages as Images: This is the key action that converts each page of your PDF into an image. Choose your desired image format (JPEG, PNG, etc.) and set the resolution. For my projects, I always select the highest resolution available, as I require larger files for detailed design work.

• Move Finder Items: Finally, decide where you want to save the converted images. You can keep them in the same folder as the original PDF or choose a new destination. Depending on your workflow, you may opt to replace existing files, but I prefer to manually delete the original file once I confirm the images processed correctly.

Step 3: Run the Workflow and Save Time

After setting up your actions, simply run the workflow. Automator will process your PDF, converting each page into an individual image and saving them to your specified folder. This method has saved me countless hours, allowing me to quickly upload the images into Canva for easy selection and use in all my designs.

Simplify Your Workflow and Save Time with Automator

Using Automator to convert PDFs into images is a game-changer, especially when dealing with large files or multiple documents. Best of all, it’s completely free and already available on your Mac—no need to download any extra applications. It’s a simple solution that can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing you to focus on more important tasks. Give it a try the next time you need to convert PDFs to images, and experience the time-saving benefits for yourself!