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By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-08-21

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How to Add Image to PDF Mac Preview Free: 100% Working

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-08-21 / PDF Editor

New to Mac, trying to add image to PDF Mac Preview for my class notes - anyone know how to insert picture into lecture slides PDF?

Adding image to PDF on Mac with Preview may sound simple, but in reality it’s not always straightforward. The built-in app has limited editing features, and inserting pictures can feel tricky if you don’t know the exact steps. Many users struggle when trying to add a scanned signature, a logo, or a photo into their PDF files.

This guide will walk you through how to add image to PDF Mac using Preview or free obline tool. We’ll also highlight the pros and cons of this method and introduce an easier alternative — Tenorshare PDNob — for those who need more flexibility and advanced editing tools.

Part 1. Can I Add Image to PDF Mac Free

Yes, you can add an image to a PDF on Mac for free using Preview, the default PDF viewer in macOS. Preview is simple and convenient, but it does not provide a dedicated tool for inserting pictures into existing PDF pages. Instead, users must rely on workarounds such as copying and pasting images or inserting them as separate pages.

Part 2. How to Add Image to PDF Mac Preview - 2 Ways

While Preview on Mac lets you view, annotate, and sign PDFs, it does not include a direct “insert image” tool. Instead, you need to rely on a couple of workarounds.

The good news is that there are two simple methods available: copying and pasting an image directly into your PDF, or adding the image as a new page when dealing with full-page photos. Let’s go through each method step by step.

1. How to Add Picture to PDF Mac Preview - Copy and Paste

  • Open the files
    Open both the PDF (in Preview) and the image you want to insert. Place the two windows side by side for easier navigation.

  • open image in preview
  • Copy the image
    Click on the image in Preview, then press Command + A to select it and Command + C to copy.

  • open image in preview
  • Convert it into a movable object
    ⚠️ Here’s the trick: paste the image on top of itself (Command + V) inside Preview. This converts it into a selectable object that can be inserted into the PDF.

  • Paste into the PDF
    Switch to the PDF window in Preview, go to the page where you want the image, and press Command + V. The image will now appear on the page.

  • Resize and reposition
    Drag the handles around the image to resize or move it to the right spot.

  • Save your PDF
    Go to File > Save to keep your changes.
    (Optional) If the file becomes too large, use File > Export > Quartz Filter > Reduce File Size to shrink it.

  • add image to pdf mac preview

2. How to Insert Picture in Preview PDF Mac - Full-Page Images

  • Open the files
    Open both the PDF and the image in Preview on your Mac.

  • Insert the image as a page
    In the top menu, click Edit > Insert > Page from File.

  • Choose the image
    Browse your files, select the image you want to add, and it will appear as a new page in the PDF.

  • Adjust the page order
    If needed, drag the page thumbnail in the sidebar to move the new page to the correct position.

  • Save the PDF
    Go to File > Save to keep your changes.

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Note:

This method works best for full-page images, such as scanned documents or photos that need their own page.

Pros and Cons of Official Way to Insert Image to PDF in Preview

Pros

  • Free & Built-in: Comes pre-installed on all Macs, no extra software needed.
  • User-Friendly: Simple interface for basic PDF tasks.
  • Basic Editing: Supports annotations, highlights, and cropping.

Cons

  • Cumbersome Process: Requires a copy–paste workaround that can be confusing.
  • Limited Image Control: Can only insert full images, not partial ones.
  • No Advanced Tools: Lacks features like rotating, cropping, or adjusting inserted images.

Part 3. How to Add Picture to PDF Mac - Edit Image Freely

While Preview is convenient for basic PDF tasks, it can be frustrating when you need more flexibility in adding images. The process is limited and sometimes awkward, especially if you want to resize, rotate, or manage multiple images in the same PDF.

This is where Tenorshare PDNob stands out. Unlike Preview, PDNob gives you full control over images inside your PDF:

  • Insert images anywhere: Add pictures to any page with just a few clicks.
  • Edit freely: Resize, rotate, crop, replace, or move images without hassle.
  • Manage multiple images: Copy, paste, or delete images across different pages.
  • All-in-one PDF editor: Beyond images, you can also edit text, add annotations, organize pages, and more.

How to Add Picture to PDF Mac via Tenorshare PDNob

1. Edit Existing Images in a PDF

To begin editing images, open your PDF in Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor and click the "Edit" button in the top toolbar. Once in editing mode, click on the image you'd like to change. A set of editing tools will appear.

edit images in pdf

You'll be able to:

  • Move the image by dragging it.
  • Resize it by clicking and dragging the corners.
  • Rotate the image.
  • Replace it with a new one from your device.
  • Crop or delete the image as needed.

You can also right-click the image to bring up a quick-access menu with options like copy, delete, crop, or replace.

2. Add a New Image to a PDF

To insert a new image:

  • Click "Edit" in the top toolbar.
  • Select the "Image" tool.
  • Click "Replace" to insert the image into your document.
    replace images in pdf
  • Once inserted, you can adjust its size and position by dragging or resizing it directly within the page.

Part 4. How to Insert Image to PDF as Signature in Mac Preview

Preview is not just a basic PDF viewer; it offers various tools for editing and annotating PDFs. You can easily add image to PDF in Preview and make your documents look professional. Here’s how to insert image as signature to PDF on Mac:

Steps to Insert an Image as Signature to PDF in Mac Preview

  • Open the PDF: Launch Preview on your Mac. Open the PDF file where you want to insert your signature.
  • Access the Markup Toolbar: Click on the Show Markup Toolbar button (it looks like a toolbox) at the top right corner.
  • markup toolbar in preview
  • Select Signature Option: Click on the Signature icon in the toolbar. If you have previously created a signature, it will appear here.
  • Create New Signature: If you need to create a new signature, click on Create Signature. You can choose between using your Trackpad or your Camera.
  • Using Trackpad: Select Trackpad, then sign your name using your finger. Press any key when finished, and click Done.
  • Using Camera: Choose Camera, then sign your name on white paper. Hold the paper up to your Mac's camera until it captures your signature. Click Done when satisfied with the result.
  • Insert Your Signature: Click on the signature you just created. Drag it to the desired location in the PDF. Resize or move it as needed.
  • Save Your Document: Go to File, then select Save to keep your changes.
  • insert image as signature in mac preview

Part 5. How to Insert Picture in PDF Mac Online Free

To add an image to a PDF on a Mac for free, you can use the built-in Preview app or online tools like PDFgear. Preview requires copying and pasting the image into the PDF. Online tools offer a more direct "Add Image" feature and often allow for resizing and repositioning.

How to Add Photo to PDF Mac Online Free via PDFgear

  • Launch PDFgear on your Mac and open the PDF file you want to edit.
  • insert picture in pdf mac online free
  • Click on "Open File" to load your PDF, then select the "Image" button or navigate to the "Edit" tab and click "Add Image".
  • Click "Add Image" to choose the image file from your computer, then click on the desired location in the PDF where you want to insert it.
  • Click on the image to select it. You can then drag the blue handles to resize it or drag and drop it to move it to a different position.
  • Once you are satisfied with the placement and size of the image, click on "File" and then "Save As" to save the modified PDF with the added image.

Part 6. FAQs of Adding Image to PDF Preview Mac

Can I resize or move the image in Preview after inserting it?

Yes, after placing the image, you can resize and reposition it using the handles.

Can I adjust the transparency of an image in Preview?

No, Preview doesn’t support image transparency. For this, you’d need a more advanced PDF editor like PDNob PDF Editor.

Can I add multiple images to a PDF in Preview?

Yes, you can add multiple images by dragging them onto different pages or re-arranging them as needed.

How to add a screenshot to a PDF on Mac?

Take a screenshot using Command + Shift + 4, open it in Preview, and follow the same steps for adding an image.

Does Preview support adding images to scanned PDFs?

Yes, as long as the PDF is not encrypted or password-protected.

What image format works best for PDFs?

JPEG is ideal for photos, PNG works well for logos and graphics, and TIFF can be used for high-quality images (file size may increase).

Will adding images increase the PDF file size?

Yes, the size will increase depending on the image resolution and dimensions.

How to maintain image quality when inserting into a PDF?

Use high-resolution images and avoid enlarging them beyond their original dimensions.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking to add image to PDF in Preview Mac for quick edits or want a more advanced solution, macOS offers versatile tools for all your PDF tasks. Preview is a simple and effective way to insert picture in Preview PDF Mac.

If you need more control over the editing process, Tenorshare PDNob provides a feature-rich alternative. Whether for personal use or professional needs, knowing how to add a picture to a PDF in Preview or using third-party software like PDNob ensures you can handle any PDF modification with ease.

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