Revert page after flattening in JavaScript

[FairfieldPhotoOH]

I am designing a request form that I would like to flatten (or make all entry fields "Read Only") prior to sending the PDF

AND

Revert the form back to the pre-flattened form so the originator can save the editable version of the PDF before moving on to the next request.  I will be working with people who will be prompted with a "Save PDF Y/N" dialog box after they send it and will invariably press "Y" meaning they save the flattened version, not the editable version.  Reverting back to the pre-flattened state will allow them to save the PDF in the format they want.

I have everything working except the reverting back to the unflattened version.  Is there a programatic "UNDO" that I can embed after the send step?  Can I (easily) create a flattened duplicate of the document (multi-page) and send that version while retaining the original unflattened for my user?

Thanks!

-Mike

[ls_rbls · Accepted solution]

I am almost 100% sure that you may be able to achieve this workflow by applying a digital signature field to have the users sign and protect the document making it read-only, to include other customizable security preferences.

In such scenario, when the user digitally signs the original PDF it will save a separate copy of the read-only file while preserving the original PDF file.

The author of the PDF may also remove the digital certificate signature at any time to make the PDF readable and editable again, and to be able to export or "Save As" into other file formats if desired.

One thing for sure is that, once the PDF is sent to other users, there is little control over what other recipients can do to the secured ("read-only") version of the file.

Is there a particular reason why would you prefer to flatten the original PDF instead of securing it and making it read-only?

Unless you're using the term "to flatten a PDF" interchangeably with how to secure and make a PDF read-only, I am making this distinction because flattening a  PDF is an irreversible destructive process (in the context of  what a PDF document is) that is frequently highly discouraged by Adobe.

You may want to browse through this old discussion:

• https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/flattening-pdf-with-digital-signatures/td-p/10608...

Some official Adobe Helpx guidance here:

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/securing-pdfs-certificates.html

And a more appropriate professional definition of how the term "flattening" is employed when using advanced printing tools;  fully explained in the link below: 

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/printing-complex-pdfs-acrobat.html