The PDF Element lets you embed a multi-page PDF document directly onto a slide. Each page of the PDF is rendered as a full visual frame, giving you a polished, presentation-ready display without any additional software on the screen.
A PDF Element is a content block that accepts a PDF file and displays its pages as a visual sequence on your slide. It is ideal for showcasing reports, menus, catalogues, presentations, or any document you have already designed in PDF format.
Key characteristics of the PDF Element include:
- Renders each PDF page as a static visual frame.
- Supports multi-page documents with automatic or manual page cycling.
- Fits within any slide layout alongside other elements.
- No viewer application is required on the display device.
Uploading and Displaying a PDF
Adding a PDF to your slide is straightforward. Follow these steps to upload and configure your PDF Element:
- Open the slide editor and select Add Element from the toolbar.
- Choose PDF from the element type list.
- Click Upload and select your PDF file from your device or media library.
- Once uploaded, the first page of the PDF is shown as a preview inside the element.
- Resize and reposition the element on the slide canvas as needed.
- Configure page cycling options in the element settings panel.
The PDF is processed and optimised for screen display after upload. Processing time depends on the number of pages and file complexity.
Duration Per Page
You can set a custom display duration for each page, or apply a single duration to all pages at once. Consider the following when choosing durations:
- Text-heavy pages benefit from longer durations (10–20 seconds) to give viewers time to read.
- Image-only or graphic pages can use shorter durations (5–8 seconds).
- A minimum duration of 3 seconds per page is recommended to avoid disorienting transitions.
- If auto-advance is disabled, the element displays only the first page as a static image.
PDFs designed for print often do not translate well to digital signage screens. Following these design guidelines will ensure your PDF looks sharp and professional on any display.
Use Landscape Orientation
Most digital signage screens are landscape (16:9 or 16:10). Design your PDF pages in landscape orientation to fill the element area without letterboxing or cropping. Portrait PDFs will display with black bars on the sides or be scaled down, reducing legibility.
Use Large, Readable Fonts
Screens are viewed from a distance, so font sizes that look fine on paper become unreadable on a display. Follow these font guidelines:
- Body text: minimum 24pt.
- Headings: 36pt or larger.
- Avoid condensed or thin font weights, which lose definition at screen resolutions.
- Embed all fonts in the PDF to prevent substitution during rendering.
Ensure High Contrast
High contrast between text and background is essential for readability in bright environments such as retail spaces or lobbies. Recommended practices include:
- Use dark text on a light background, or white text on a dark background.
- Avoid light grey text on white, or yellow text on light backgrounds.
- Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for body text (WCAG AA standard).
- Test your PDF on an actual screen before deploying to a live playlist.
To ensure reliable upload and smooth playback, PDF files must meet the following size requirements:
- Maximum file size: 50 MB per PDF.
- Maximum recommended page count: 50 pages. Larger documents may experience slower processing.
- Use PDF compression tools to reduce file size before uploading. Tools such as Adobe Acrobat, Smallpdf, or iLovePDF can reduce file size without visible quality loss.
- Exporting at 150 DPI (rather than 300 DPI) is sufficient for screen display and significantly reduces file size.
While the PDF Element handles most standard documents reliably, there are some known limitations to be aware of:
- Complex layers: PDFs with multiple transparency layers, blending modes, or intricate vector artwork may not render perfectly. Flatten layers before exporting if possible.
- Non-embedded fonts: If fonts are not embedded in the PDF, the renderer may substitute them with a fallback font, altering the visual appearance.
- Interactive elements: Hyperlinks, form fields, buttons, and annotations are not supported. Only the visual content of each page is rendered.
- Password-protected PDFs: Encrypted or password-protected files cannot be uploaded. Remove protection before uploading.
- Video and audio: Any embedded media within the PDF will not play. The PDF Element is a static visual renderer only.
If you encounter rendering issues, try re-exporting your PDF with flattened layers, embedded fonts, and no interactive elements. This resolves the majority of display problems.
PDF Elements are a great fit for corporate environments. Explore our Corporate use case to see how teams use digital signage to keep employees informed and aligned.
