Flatten a PDF
A filled-in PDF form can still be edited by whoever receives it, and comments, highlights and stamps can be moved or deleted, or may not print at all in some viewers. Flattening fixes that: it draws the current look of every form field and annotation permanently into the page content, then removes the editable layer. The result looks the same everywhere and prints exactly as you see it. Choose whether to flatten form fields, annotations, or both. Links stay clickable. Flattening runs entirely in your browser, so your document is never uploaded to a server. It is a quick way to finalise a signed form, a reviewed draft or an invoice before sending it on.
How it works
- Upload the PDF you want to flatten.
- Choose to flatten form fields, annotations, or both.
- Click Flatten PDF to download the flattened copy.
Frequently asked questions
Is flattening a PDF free?
Yes, DMI's flatten tool is completely free, with no signup, no watermark, and no limit on how many files you flatten. Form fields and annotations can both be flattened without a paid plan.
Are my files private and safe?
Yes. Flattening happens entirely in your browser, so your PDF is never uploaded to a server. We log usage metadata, including your IP address, tool name, filename, and file size, for up to 12 months to help prevent abuse, but never the file contents.
Can I undo flattening?
No. Once fields and annotations are drawn into the page they become ordinary page content, so they can no longer be edited, moved, or deleted as separate items. Keep your original file if you might need to change the answers or comments later.