Making PNG and JPG non-editable in PDF.

[Gast]

Hi,
I am trying to export a PDF with a logo and other elements but PDF is converting it into editable text which I want to disable so that no one can edit the logo. Is there any way to disable it?

Thank you.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Go to Options (or the File menu, on older versions) - Properties - Security and select Password Security, then enter the password and select which actions you want to allow:

[try67]

Your question is not very clear. Are you exporting a PDF to another format, which you then want to make uneditable (if so, I don't believe that's possible if you export to JPG/PNG), or are you creating a PDF file, which you then want to protect (if so, it's only partially possible)?

[Gast]

I want to convert a PNG file into a PDF.

When I open that same PDF file I can see the logo (which is a PNG) being editable which I don't want to because it can distort the logo. So I want a PDF that will not allow anyone to edit the logo.

[try67]

It's only "editable" if someone has Acrobat, not the free Reader (which is what most people have).

If you want to protect it further you can apply a security policy to the file that prevents modifying its contents, and/or digitally sign it.

[Gast]

If I opt for a security policy then the logo won't be editable? Can you clarify if I have to add a password or not? Thanks.

[try67]

The entire file won't be editable, although you should be aware that there are ways around this... If you want stronger security then apply both an edit-file password, and an open-file password (a different one, of course). The latter will need to be shared with the users so they can view the file, of course. The former you keep as a secret, in case you want to remove the policy later on.

[Gast]

I aim to send PFDs to clients so that they can add their logo and print without distorting my logo. I have tried multiple ways but the problem persists. Could you let me know about the security policy? Because adding a password won't work here. This is becoming an extra layer of work to protect a PNG file.

[try67]

You're over-thinking it. 99% of users won't be able to edit anything in the file. If you want them to be able to add their own logo then use an image field. If you want to prevent those with Acrobat from editing other parts of the file apply a file-edit security policy.

[Gast]

I am not overthinking it. I faced this issue that's why I am seeking help. Can you tell me the steps to apply a file-edit security policy? Thanks for your response.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Go to Options (or the File menu, on older versions) - Properties - Security and select Password Security, then enter the password and select which actions you want to allow:

[Luke Jennings3 · Accepted solution]

If you want to convert type into an image, to prevent editing, you can use a preflight fixup to convert all page content to an image. Tools> Print Production> Preflight> Fixups (blue wrench icon). You can adjust the output resolution and other settings by editing the preflight (make a duplicate first).