Articles on: Troubleshooting

Why your Simplebooklet is Taking a Long Time to Load

Why your Simplebooklet **is Taking a Long Time to Load**


If your Simplebooklet feels slow to open or pages take time to display, the issue is usually related to file size, device performance, or optimization settings — not a platform error.


This guide walks through the most common causes and how to fix them.


Available on all plans.


Common Reasons a Simplebooklet Loads Slowly


1. Your File Is Large


The most common cause of slow loading is a large uploaded PDF.


This typically happens when:


  • The PDF contains high-resolution images


  • The file includes many pages


  • The file was exported in “Print Quality” settings


  • The PDF includes embedded design layers


How to Fix It


We strongly recommend compressing your PDF before uploading.


You can use a free tool like:


https://www.ilovepdf.com/compress_pdf


Steps:


  1. Upload your PDF to ilovepdf.com


  1. Choose compression


  1. Download the new file


  1. Re-upload it to Simplebooklet


In many cases, this instantly improves loading speed.



2. Large Images Inside the PDF


Even if the page count is low, extremely high-resolution images can cause slow performance.


If your PDF was designed for print at 300 DPI, it may be much heavier than necessary for web viewing.


Compressing usually resolves this.



3. GIFs Can Slow Things Down


Animated GIFs are surprisingly heavy files.


Multiple GIFs — or large ones — can significantly increase load times.



Instead of uploading a GIF, upload it as a video file inside your Simplebooklet.


Video compression is much more efficient and performs significantly better than GIFs.



4. Device or Browser Limitations


Sometimes the issue isn’t the file — it’s the viewer’s device.


Loading may be slower if:


  • The device has limited memory


  • The browser has many tabs open


  • The connection speed is low


  • An older browser version is being used


What to Try


  • Refresh the page


  • Close unused tabs


  • Try a different browser (Chrome works best)


  • Clear browser cache


  • Test on another device



Use Built-In Optimization Tools


If your booklet has many pages or large visuals, you can enable performance optimization inside the Design tab.


Enable Optimize Page Load


This setting loads only the pages currently being viewed instead of loading the entire booklet at once.


To enable:


  1. Open your Dashboard


  1. Select your Simplebooklet


  1. Click the Design tab


  1. Select Advanced


  1. Toggle on Optimize Page Load


When enabled, only the three visible pages load at a time, improving performance significantly.



Enable Optimize Image Load


This setting loads images only when they are needed instead of all at once.


To enable:


  1. Open your Dashboard


  1. Select your Simplebooklet


  1. Click the Design tab


  1. Select Advanced


  1. Toggle on Optimize Image Load


This is especially helpful for image-heavy booklets.



When Is It Not a File Issue?


If:


  • Only one viewer reports slowness


  • It works well for others


  • The booklet loads normally after refresh


It is likely device or connection related.



Quick Performance Checklist


Before contacting support, check:


  • Compressed PDF?


  • Reduced image size?


  • Avoided large GIFs?


  • Enabled Optimize Page Load?


  • Enabled Optimize Image Load?


  • Tested on another browser?


Most performance concerns are resolved with one of these steps.

Updated on: 13/02/2026

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