Disallow screenshot/capture

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 26, 2025
3 replies
1109 views

Hi Community,

Does anyone know if there is a way to disallow screenshots of a pdf? I want to prevent people from using snipping tool to capture images within the pdf?

Correct answer try67

OK, then the solution is very simple. Digitally sign your files, and provide the clients with a public key file to validate your signature. Any modifications (or attempts to re-create your signature) will cause the validation to fail, and would prove the file was not created by you, or was modified without your approval after it was signed. Forget about trying to keep people from copying your signature, it's a waste of time and money.

try67

Community Expert

Not possible, at least not if the file is opened in Acrobat or Reader. Even if you did manage to do it, what will stop someone from taking out their phone and snapping a picture of the file on the screen?

M

millard_2306Author

Participant

I stamp architectural plans with my accreditation stamp and have noticed some clients will slightly update/change something within the plans and screen cpture my stamp and restamp themselves. This creates a type of forgery where I haven't actually approved these changes. Hoping to prevent this without arguing and losing clients.

try67

Correct answer

Community Expert

OK, then the solution is very simple. Digitally sign your files, and provide the clients with a public key file to validate your signature. Any modifications (or attempts to re-create your signature) will cause the validation to fail, and would prove the file was not created by you, or was modified without your approval after it was signed. Forget about trying to keep people from copying your signature, it's a waste of time and money.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Some websites out:

https://www.systoolsgroup.com/how-to/protect-pdf-from-screenshot/?srsltid=AfmBOopnL9T5rqrBk_rLumVm9eJqFPKMcjdvqBuopJV7cIv31DI8Fdt5

https://www.locklizard.com/stop-screenshots-grabbers/#:~:text=Preventing%20screenshots%20in%20the%20browser,and%20simply%20remove%20this%20code.

Not cheap!

Google "prevent screen capture in pdf" for more options

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

M

millard_2306Author

Participant

Attempted Locklizard as a trial and spoke to support. This tool only exports in a 'pdc' file format which I do not want unfortunaely...

kglad

Community Expert

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

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