BASALT · JOURNAL
How to batch-convert images to PDF on Mac
Turning a folder of scans into a PDF is more than selecting files and clicking export. Ordering, rotation, page size, resolution, and image metadata determine whether the result is useful and safe to share.
Prepare the image set
Use stable filenames or an explicit sort order. Rotate pages upright, remove accidental duplicates, and check that every image belongs to the same document. Review the images for names, faces, badges, and handwritten notes before combining them.
Choose a consistent page geometry
Set a predictable page size and margins, but avoid enlarging low-resolution scans unnecessarily. Keep text readable at normal zoom and inspect the smallest labels after conversion. If OCR is needed, confirm that the language and orientation are correct.
Review the PDF as a document
Check page order, bookmarks, OCR, metadata, attachments, and file size. Search for text that should be searchable and inspect the images for privacy issues. Keep the source images separate from the shareable PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Should images be converted to JPEG first?
Not automatically. Recompression can blur text. Choose a format that preserves the detail the document needs.
Does combining images create OCR?
Only if an OCR step is run. A PDF can contain images without searchable text.
How do I preserve page order?
Use a deterministic filename order or arrange pages explicitly before export, then verify the final sequence.
Doing it in Basalt
Basalt combines local images into PDFs, supports searchable workflows, and keeps source material on your Mac while you review the final document. Download Basalt.
Redaction that proves itself
Basalt destroys the content you mark, then re-opens the file it wrote and proves the content is gone before it saves anything. Your documents never leave your Mac.