How to make a stamp or other signature immovable on pdf document (using adobe acrobat DC)?

[edwards10851195]

Hello folks.  This is my first time using this forum, so forgive me if I fail to use proper etiquette.  I would appreciate any help you can offer on a problem that has dogged me through several versions of acrobat, including my new version.

When I add a stamp (for example, a signature stamp) to a pdf, the stamp continues to be movable.  Is there a way to make the stamp stay in place, and become part of the document?

Is there a better and easier way to insert a signature so it is not movable?

Thank you very much.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

There are two ways you can deal with this:

You can flatten your document (or the page the annotation is on) and convert the dynamic content to static PDF content. After that, you signature would look like any other static part of your document. This does not mean that with the right tools you cannot move the content anymore, but it would prevent somebody doing that by accident.

You can also apply document security settings that prevent modifications to the document. Once you do that, the document is locked, and nobody can (unless they break into the document) move anything around.

However, the better solution would be to not just use a signature stamp, but a true digital signature (which can show your "wet" signature - e.g. from a scan, or a signature capturing device). This way, the document can also be locked down (that's a setting you select when applying the signature), but more importantly, you can find out if the version of the document you have in front of you is actually the same version that you signed.

[edwards10851195]

Thank you very much for answering.

Unfortunately, I cannot find the instructions to flatten the document. Can you please direct me to where I can find how to do that?

Similarly, I cannot find the instructions to apply security settings. Can you please direct me to where I can find how to do that?

Thank you again very much.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

You can find a free flattening tool here: Free Acrobat Automation Tools

To secure a PDF file, take a look here: https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/filter/search&category=93&channel=tutorials/ 

[edwards10851195]

Thank you for that information. I will try your suggestions next week. I can’t find the “Correct” button that I am supposed to press when you answered my question, but as far as I can tell you answered it. I really appreciate your help.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

This is what I see when I look at a discussion:

When you click on the "Correct Answer", it should mark the corresponding answer as "Correct".

[tbatti]

The download to flatten doesn't work. You only get error messages. Adobe 9 and 10 was so easy to pick the hammer and flatten your stamp. Why are we going backward in technology? Can this be fixed in an update as I can't flatten my signature stamp?

[Thom Parker]

What error message are you getting?

[George_Johnson]

Here's a link to another flattener tool that's very flexible, allowing you to flatten just stamps: UVSAR : Selective Flattener tool for Adobe Acrobat 8, 9 and X