Understanding the 4 Types of PDF Files for Scanned Documents

Understanding the 4 Types of PDF Files for Scanned Documents

Productivity
July 22, 2025•2 min read

By: USA IMAGING, Inc.

Not all PDFs are created equal—especially when it comes to how scanned content is stored and accessed. Depending on your needs, you may want a PDF that preserves only the image, enables keyword search, or stores just the text.

At USA IMAGING, Inc., we help organizations choose the right PDF output type for document scanning. Here's a breakdown of the four primary types:

1. PDF Image-Only

What it is: A scanned image of a document with no searchable or selectable text.
Best for: Simple archiving, visual-only reference

This format is essentially a digital photocopy. It’s great when you just need a visual backup of a document, but it doesn’t allow for text selection or search.

2. PDF Searchable Image

What it is: A scanned image overlaid with invisible, machine-readable text using OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
Best for: Archiving with full-text search capability

This format looks just like the original but allows you to search and copy the text. It’s ideal for business records, legal documents, and anything you might need to find quickly later.

3. PDF Text-Only

What it is: A file containing just extracted text without the original layout or graphics.
Best for: Raw data extraction or text processing

This format strips out all images and formatting, leaving only the content. It’s useful for simple records, transcripts, or when file size and speed are more important than appearance.

4. PDF Image + Text (Hybrid)

What it is: A combined format that includes both the scanned image and the OCR layer beneath.
Best for: Legal files, historical archives, and complex documents

You get the best of both worlds: the visual integrity of the original and full searchability. It’s a preferred format in courts, universities, and compliance-driven industries.

Which Should You Choose?

  • For storage or presentation → PDF Image-Only

  • For searchable archives → PDF Searchable Image

  • For quick extraction → PDF Text-Only

  • For accuracy + access → PDF Image + Text

Need help creating the right PDF for your scanning project?
At USA IMAGING, Inc., we produce high-quality PDFs tailored to your document needs—whether it’s legal, archival, or general business use.

📞 Contact us today for a free consultation or quote.

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