How to combine multiple images into one PDF file: 4 simple methods

Let’s say you want to share the snapshots you took at a networking event with people you just met. The easiest way is to email them out. But if you don’t combine the photos into a PDF, they’ll get an email with tons of photos visibly cluttered over it. 

Worse, the email you sent might not even get delivered because the image’s size can sometimes be larger than the limits allowed. Not the best way to follow up, right? 

Generally, a PDF is smaller in size than the photos combined. Plus, PDF is also more print-friendly and works with many content-sharing platforms. For example, I save multiple images as one PDF, which I then turn into a carousel post on LinkedIn. 

So, whether you’re sending out lovely photos to friends, curating screenshots for a presentation, or other reasons, I’m ready to help.

Ways to combine images into PDF file

Before getting into details, let’s quickly overview the top 4 methods you can use to combine pictures into one PDF:

Images to PDF method	How to do it
Preview	Open selected images in Preview > Click File > Export as PDF.
Nitro PDF Pro	Open Nitro PDF Pro > Click File > Open > Select the images > Open > Click File > Save to export the images as a PDF file
Filepane	Open Filepane > Drag images to the Drop Here box > Click Convert multiple images > Select Merge all in one PDF at the new dialog.
Adobe’s online JPG to PDF converter	Open Adobe’s online converter on the browser > Sign up to your Adobe account > Upload the JPG files > Click Merge files and download the PDF.

Need to pull images from a PDF? Check out this easy guide on how to extract images from PDFs on Mac. 

How to combine images into a PDF 

The thought of putting together several images together and turning them into a PDF sounds complicated. But it’s not. Suppose you’re using a Mac. You have several options to do so. Whether the images are in JPG, PNG, or other formats, you can create a PDF in a few steps. 

Not just images — check out how to combine PDF files with the best tools and tips.

Using Preview 

The easiest way to combine pictures into one PDF is with Preview. 

Here’s how.

1. Open the folder that stores your images on Mac.
2. Press and hold the Command key and select the images you want to combine. 
3. Then, right-click on the selection and click Open With > Preview. You will see the images open on Preview, with their thumbnails arranged at the sidebar.
4. Drag the image thumbnails to rearrange their order. You can also add new images to Preview by dragging and dropping the file to the sidebar. 
5. Click File > Export as PDF to save the images as PDF. Then, name the file, choose the destination folder, and click Save.

You now have a PDF file that contains all the images, which you can easily share via email, chats, and social media. 

Simple, isn’t it? 

But if you want to do more than merge images into PDF, you’ll need third-party apps. They give you advanced features that Preview didn’t, so you can save time when modifying or adding more details to the images. 

Using Nitro PDF Pro

Sometimes, you’ll need to annotate the images you want to put together before turning them into a PDF. Or you want to draw or highlight certain parts of a screenshot. Nitro PDF Pro lets you do that — and more.

Nitro PDF Pro is a powerful editor that lets you create, edit, and merge PDFs. You can also use it to combine pictures and turn them into a PDF. Personally, I love how easy it is to scribble on the screenshots I took before sending them as PDFs to my clients. 

Here’s how you can combine images with NitroPDF:

1. Install and open Nitro PDF Pro. 
2. Click Open File. Then, go to the folder and select the image files you want to combine. 
3. Click Open. You’ll find the selected images on the screen, with thumbnails lining up the sidebar. If you want to add more images, click File > Insert and choose additional images to add on.
4. Drag the image thumbnails on the sidebar to rearrange them.
5. Then, click File > Export > Choose Flattened PDF. 

Now, you have a PDF containing the images, annotations, and other elements you use to accentuate them. 

Using Filepane 

Another way to combine different images into a PDF file is with the Filepane app. It’s a file manager that runs in the background and lets you do so much with simple click and drag. Here’s how easy it is to merge images with FilePane.

1. Install and open Filepane.
2. Hold Command and select several images.
3. Drag the files. As you do so, you will see a Drop here box. Move the files to the box. 
4. Click Convert multiple images (the button with two horizontally opposite arrows).
5. At the new dialog, select Merge all in one PDF.
6. Then, click the PDF button.

Now, you can share the image PDF you just created. But that’s not all. If you want to edit the images first, you can also use Filepane to crop, rotate, or resize them. Then, merge them into a PDF with the steps I just described. 

How to merge JPGs into one combined PDF file online 

If you love taking pictures and sharing them, you might find online JPG to PDF converters useful. First, you don’t need to install apps on your Mac, and second, you can upload and merge your JPG files on the go. The great news is that there are lots of tools that let you turn multiple JPGs into PDF files. But the challenge is, which one should you use? 

Some free tools might be peppered with ads. If you find ads annoying or don’t want to accidentally click on one, I recommend installing AdLock, which automatically prevents ads from showing up on your browser. This way, you can use online converters without being bothered by the ads. 

Using Adobe online services

Free or affordable images-to-PDF converters are aplenty. But most of them have pretty limited features. They let you turn the images into a PDF, and that’s what it is about. If you want access to PDF editing tools that professionals use, consider trusted brands like Adobe. 

While Adobe is famed for its desktop-based image editing tools, it offers various useful tools, including online ones. Often, Adobe was my go-to option before I gave the lesser-known tools a shot. 

Here’s how to combine JPEGS into one PDF with Adobe. 

1. Open Adobe’s online JPG to PDF converter on your browser.
2. Sign up to your Adobe account or start a free trial. While the tool is free, it limits users to converting a single image for non-paying users. To combine multiple files, you’ll need to be a paying subscriber.
3. Upload the JPG files you want to convert.
4. Reorder them as you deem fit.
5. Click Merge files and download the PDF. 

Just like that, you have a merged PDF in the Downloads folder, ready to be shared with the intended recipient.

Now, you can save multiple images as one PDF 

On a Mac, there are different tools you can use to merge and convert multiple photos or screenshots into a PDF file.  But If you’ve never merged images to a PDF before, figuring out how to do that can be daunting. I hope I’ve eased your struggles with the steps I've shared. Also, don’t forget to try the apps, as they can make working with files easier.

• Use Nitro PDF Pro to annotate, highlight, draw, and edit PDF files easily.
• Download Filepane to convert images to PDF in simple steps.
• Remove duplicate images with Gemini before converting them.
• Compress the merged PDF with PDF Squeezer to reduce its file size. 
• AdLock blocks browser ads when you use free online JPG-to-PDF converters that serve ads. 

You can find these apps on Setapp, a single subscription that gives you access to 250+ productivity macOS and iOS apps. Try them 7 days for free now.