Export PDF without editable objects, but have printing ability.

[5F9Dlexi]

Looking for guidance on how to flatten or protect a PDF after exporting. I'm using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC from 2020. 

I've been working with a map and editing up the text and legends. Now I need to ensure that when the map is distributed in PDF form that the text and images cannot be edited or changed. Basically, I need one single layer.

I password protected, allowing the end user to view but not edit. But I also need the end user to be able to print. I selected the user can print at high resolution. After testing the print function myself, I was given a text file instead of the printable PDF file. 

I've already flattened layers so that none can be changed, and sanitized the document to remove metadata. I had to keep transparent objects when flattening layers, or the image would be discolored and create a block where the transparent image is. 

Are there any suggestions on how to export the PDF into one layer so nothing is changable in the PDF?

[try67]

What you did should have worked. Did you try to print to a physical printer, or a virtual one?

I would also recommend digitally signing the file, which will help preventing it from being edited, as it locks it.

[5F9Dlexi]

I tried virtual printer. This still get the end results as a .txt file:

%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
This PostScript file was created from an encrypted PDF file.
Redistilling encrypted PDF is not permitted.
%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%

I don't understand how to code or use PostScript.

Would the Digital Signature make it a requirement for the end user to have a code everytimes its opened?

Do you know if there is a way to require a signature only for editing but not printing?

Maybe the solutions is to make an CMYK image out of the files. 

[5F9Dlexi]

I figured out the .txt script i was getting. Needed to select low resolution printing. No need to answer that!

[try67]

Just don't print to a virtual printer. If you use a regular printer it will work fine.

And no, the user doesn't need to do anything about the digital signature (unless they want to validate it), and it does not interfere with printing.

[Test Screen Name]

Some apps will ignore the security and then do OCR to make the text editable. Even without OCR they can hide your captions and add new. This is the reality of the digital world. The idea you can stop editing is just a dream. 

[5F9Dlexi]

Unfortunate reality. Thanks for responding!

[5F9Dlexi]

thank you!