Convert Multiple-Page TIFF to PDF: 5 Methods Compared

TIFF files are great for quality. They are terrible for sharing.

A multi-page TIFF scanned at 300 DPI can top 50 MB. Convert it to PDF and you get the same visual quality at a fraction of the file size. PDF also opens on any device without specialist software.

This guide covers four ways to convert multiple-page TIFF to PDF, from free built-in tools to a bulk converter for large collections.

Why Convert TIFF to PDF?

TIFF is the standard format for archival images, medical scans and print-ready graphics. But it comes with practical limitations:

• Email attachments over 25 MB get rejected by most servers
• Multi-page TIFF is not widely supported on phones or tablets
• Sharing a folder of TIFF files with a client is messy
• PDF supports password protection; TIFF does not

PDF solves all four problems. It preserves image quality, compresses well, and opens in any browser or PDF reader without installing extra software.

Method 1: Adobe Acrobat

If you already have Adobe Acrobat Pro, this is the most straightforward conversion path.

1. Open Adobe Acrobat and go to Tools.
2. Click Create PDF.
3. Click Choose a File and select your TIFF file.
4. Click Create. Acrobat converts the TIFF to a multi-page PDF.
5. Click File then Save to save the PDF to your chosen location.

One important limitation: Acrobat requires a paid subscription (around $15 to $20 per month). If you only need to convert TIFF files occasionally, the subscription cost may not make sense.

Method 2: Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop can export any open document as a Photoshop PDF.

1. Open your TIFF file in Photoshop.
2. Go to File then Save As (or Save a Copy in newer versions).
3. Choose Photoshop PDF from the format dropdown.
4. Select quality settings and click Save.

The main drawback here: Photoshop converts one file at a time. Converting 50 TIFF files means 50 separate save operations. It is also a costly subscription tool if you are not already using it for design work.

Method 3: Windows Print to PDF

This free built-in method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 without any additional software.

1. Right-click the TIFF file and choose Open With then Photos.
2. Press Ctrl+P to open the print dialog.
3. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
4. Click Print, name the file and choose a save location.

This works well for single TIFF files. For multi-page TIFFs or batch conversion, it becomes tedious fast.

Method 4: Mac Preview

Mac users have a free conversion option built into macOS.

1. Select your TIFF files, right-click and choose Open With then Preview.
2. In Preview, arrange the pages by dragging thumbnails in the sidebar.
3. Go to File then Print.
4. At the bottom of the print window, click Save as PDF.
5. Name the file, choose a location and click Save.

Preview handles small batches well. On very large TIFF files (over 100 MB), it can be slow or crash.

Method 5: Bulk Conversion with the Turgs TIFF Converter

For converting hundreds of TIFF files at once without quality loss, the Turgs TIFF Image Converter handles the entire batch in one run.

How to Convert TIFF to PDF in Bulk

Step 1. Download and install the Turgs TIFF Converter on your Windows or Mac system. Launch the application.

Step 2. Click Select Files or Select Folders to load your TIFF images. Both single files and entire folder batches are supported.

Step 3. Your TIFF files appear in a tree view. Tick the checkboxes next to the files you want to convert. You can select all or choose specific files only.

Step 4. From the saving options list, select PDF as the output format.

Step 5. Set a destination folder for the output files, then click Convert.

Step 6. The conversion runs with a live progress display showing how many files have been processed.

Step 7. When the batch is done, a confirmation message appears. Click OK.

Step 8. The tool opens the output folder automatically so you can review the converted PDF files.

Which Method Should You Use?

Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:

You can also view TIFF image details before converting if you want to check file contents first.

If you work with other document formats, the post on converting VCard to PDF covers a similar batch workflow for contact files.

Have you been converting TIFF files one at a time, or are you looking to batch-process a whole folder?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting TIFF to PDF reduce image quality?

Not with the right settings. The Turgs TIFF Converter and Adobe Acrobat both preserve full image resolution. Photoshop can reduce quality if you select a low-quality preset. Windows Print to PDF uses screen resolution which may be lower than the original TIFF DPI.

Can I convert a multi-page TIFF to a single PDF?

Yes. All five methods above convert multi-page TIFF files to a single PDF with one page per TIFF page. The Turgs converter also supports merging multiple separate TIFF files into one PDF.

Is there a free tool to convert TIFF to PDF on Windows?

Yes. Windows Print to PDF is built into Windows 10 and 11 and costs nothing. For batch conversion, the Turgs TIFF Converter offers a free trial that processes a set number of files before asking you to purchase.

How do I convert TIFF to PDF on a Mac for free?

Use the built-in Preview app. Open your TIFF files in Preview, then go to File and choose Print, then Save as PDF. This is free and works on any Mac running macOS Mojave or later.

Will the converted PDF preserve the original TIFF resolution?

Yes, if you use Acrobat or the Turgs converter with default settings. Both embed the full-resolution image inside the PDF without downsampling. Photoshop allows you to choose the quality level during export.

Can I convert coloured TIFF files to PDF or only black and white?

All methods support full-colour TIFF files. Colour, grayscale and black-and-white TIFFs all convert correctly to PDF without any colour shift.