How to flatten pdf
When you want to prevent others from editing your form data or signatures, flattening the PDF is the best security measure.
When to use this solution:
Use this when YOU want to submit an official form, lock a signed contract, or ensure that document annotations cannot be changed by the recipient.
Common Use Cases
Locking fillable forms for submissionSecuring signed contractsProtecting document annotationsArchiving final document versionsPreparing PDFs for legal filings
1Step-by-Step Guide
Upload file
Choose your fillable PDF or document with annotations.
Process file
Click the flatten button and our engine will merge all layers into the background.
Download result
Save your new secure and non-editable PDF.
Ready to get started?
Use our free tool to solve this problem in seconds. No installation required.
Use our free Flatten PDF tool to solve this instantlyFrequently Asked Questions
Can I edit the form after flattening?
No, flattening is a permanent process that turns interactive elements into static background content.
Will it affect the visual quality?
No, the document will look exactly the same, but the form fields will no longer be fillable.