How I automatically compress client deliverables in monday.com
Key takeaways
- How do you automatically compress client deliverables in monday.com?
- Two File Compress automations on a status trigger: when the item reaches "Ready to deliver", compress the images and PDFs in the deliverables column, then zip that column into a single archive.
- Why trigger on status instead of on upload?
- You only want to package finished, approved work. A status trigger fires once, at the right moment, instead of every time someone adds a draft.
- What does the client receive?
- One ZIP file on the item, containing compressed versions of every deliverable, downloadable in a single click — no monday.com account required if you share the link.
- Is the compression safe for final deliverables?
- PDF compression is lossless. Image compression at medium is visually clean for delivery. Use low if the client will print or scrutinize the assets.
Client handoffs used to be the most manual part of my week: gather the files, shrink the big ones, zip them, upload the zip, message the client. Every step was skippable and occasionally skipped. Now a status change does all of it. Here is the setup.
The trigger: one status, one moment
The whole system hangs off a single status column value: Ready to deliver. When a PM or I move an item there, it means the work is approved and the deliverables column is final. That is exactly when packaging should happen — not before.
Why not compress on upload for this board?
Because a deliverables board collects drafts too. Compressing every upload would process a lot of work that never ships. The status trigger waits for "done".
The two automations
I use two File Compress recipes, both firing on the same status:
- Compress. When status changes to Ready to deliver, compress images and PDFs from Deliverables into Delivery (medium). This leaves the working originals in Deliverables and puts compressed copies in Delivery.
- Bundle. When status changes to Packaged (set by the first automation, or after a short delay), zip files from Delivery into Client Download.
The client ends up with one file in Client Download.
What the client sees
| Column | Contents | Who touches it |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverables | Working files, full quality | Team |
| Delivery | Compressed copies | Automation |
| Client Download | One ZIP | Automation → Client |
I share the Client Download file link, or a shareable view filtered to the client's items. They click once.
The short version
Hang deliverable packaging off a single status value. One File Compress automation compresses the deliverables into a Delivery column; a second zips that column into a client-ready archive. The masters stay in the working column. See automatically compress PDFs and the setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can monday.com compress and zip files in the same automation?
- They are two actions. Chain them: one recipe compresses on the status change, a second recipe zips the same column. Both fire from the same trigger.
- What if compression and zipping race each other?
- Sequence them by status. For example: status "Ready to deliver" runs compression; a follow-up status or a short delay runs the zip so it packages the compressed files.
- Does the client get the original or compressed files in the ZIP?
- Whatever is in the column when the zip action runs. If compression replaced the files in place first, the ZIP contains the compressed versions.
- How do I keep uncompressed masters?
- Compress into a separate "Delivery" column rather than in place, and zip the Delivery column. The working column keeps the originals.
- What triggers are available besides status?
- A file column change or a button click. Status is the natural fit for a deliverable workflow; a button works when a person should decide per item.
Zack
File Compress Developer at ColumnMate. Writes about file management, storage, and automation inside monday.com.
Related reading
Compress and zip files without leaving monday.com
File Compress runs on your board. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
