How to compress images and PDF with the WordPress plugin

Install the Image and PDF Compression Plugin

Download the plugin from the WordPress plugin directory: 
https://wordpress.org/plugins/imagerecycle-pdf-image-compression/WordPress plugin

The plugin can be installed through FTP by uploading unzipped files in the wp-content/plugin folder or using the standard WordPress installer. Then activate the plugin.

install-compression-plugin

 

Once the plugin is installed and activated you can register a free trial account or use and existing account, through the menu Settings > ImageRecycle. Note that once your account is created or connected, the API key will be saved automatically and you can start using the service.

activate-image-optimization

 

Click on one of the button "Create a trial account" to register a new account.

create-new-imagerecycle-account

 

If you already have an account, just login, your API will be filled automatically. Plus if you have some sub accounts registered on your ImageRecycle account, you can pick up one on a next screen.

login-to-account

Authenticate with your API key to apply media compression quota

After being logged in from the menu My account > API and quota (on ImageRecycle website) you can get or generate an API Key. For the main account the key is automatically generated.

Then copy-paste the API Key and API Secret in your WordPress plugin configuration.

automatic-api-information

 

Once your API key and secret is added, you'll get an account resume in the Settings > ImageRecycle plugin view.

check-compression-quota

 

 

Using sub-accounts to optimize media for your clients

Sub-account creation button with dedicated API key are right bellow. Subaccount number is not limited and each sub-account have a dedicated quota you can define (perfect for multiple clients websites). Once you use the sub-account API key, the image quota will be deducted from this sub-account quota.

compression-image-clients-sub-account

 

Optimize existing & new images and PDF

With the WordPress plugin you have the possibility to bulk optimize all existing images or new images right after upload. To access to the plugin optimization interface click on: Media > ImageRecycle.

New images are automatically optimized on upload if you've set the plugin to optimize this file format.

Optimize-existing-new-images-and-PDF

 

You can optimize already existing images and PDF one by one or use the "Optimize all" button to apply a compression on several elements. You can also revert to original if needed during the backup storage time (1 month).
After optimization or during the restoration, images will be replaced on your server automatically.

image-background-compression

 

The bulk optimization will run the process on all your content in background. It means that you can work with WordPress during this time and you'll get Emailed once it's done.

Now, all media will be placed in queue and you'll get an estimation of the time remaining.

wordpress-compression-queue

 

Use filtering and sorting to find your media

The plugin includes some ways to find your media, the latest uploaded, the heaviest... You can use the top filtering tools to filter by status, file type or dates.

image-filtering-for-optimization

 

Or click on the column titles to order your media by File name, size, optimization status

column-media-ordering

 

Images auto resizing before optimization

You have option to activate an auto image resizing. It means that all the images stored on your server will have the max size specified in this option.

image-resize-and-compress

 

Select the server folders to optimize your WordPress media

In the global configuration you can select which folder you want to optimize. If you're using 3rd party plugins that store images or pdf in root folder you can force optimization for example. If you uncheck a folder, optimization won't be applied in the folder.

image-folder-selection-compression

 

Image optimization quality and PDF compression activation

Quality options can be defined per content type. For example, if you want to disable PDF optimization to keep original quality for print, you can select No compression as PDF compression parameter.

compression-quality

 

Images optimization exclusion by weight

You have advanced exclusion parameter that let you exclude/include specified server folders from optimization.This parameter is very useful for third party plugins or themes that add their own folders. You can also define a range of file size for your optimization.

A good setup here avoid applying compression on unneeded images, ie. the content not displayed on public side of your WordPress website.

exclude-media-compression-by-weight

 

 

Image and PDF WordPress Compression Demo