Skip to main content
J
JayDS
Participating Frequently
April 21, 2016
Answered

In Acrobat XI Pro, after placing a watermark on a PDF, applying an A / Web certificate, then saving as a PDF-A, the text in the document becomes unsearchable.

  • April 21, 2016
  • 4 replies
  • 1213 views

After adding a watermark in Acrobat XI Pro, and A/Web certifying and saving as a PDF-A, the text in the PDF becomes unsearchable, and it seems that the pages were flattened.  Under save settings, I can see radio boxes that I can uncheck to make sure the pages don't become flattened. This results in a error, and the PDF does not get it's A/Web certification.  Is this a glitch?  I can search text in an A/Web certified document with no watermark, just fine.  I can search text in a document with a watermark and no A/Web certification, just fine.  Just not with both items applied.  Why is the watermark causing a conflict?  Is there a way to fix or get around this?

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Test Screen Name

I don't know what A/Web is. But if you are saving as PDF/A-1a or PDF/A-1b, and you have transparency, this must be flattened. Flattening will often lose the text completely, for example if text overlaps an image transparently.  Probably your watermark uses transparency. Not a glitch or bug.

4 replies

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
April 22, 2016

Ok, PDF/A does not prevent editing; it isn't any kind of security. Most PDF tools ignore it, and in Acrobat you just turn it off in preferences. All Acrobat is doing is REMINDING you that it's PDF/A, and intended for archiving. So, you might find PDF/A something to easily sacrifice while keeping the other things. You could also use a later PDF/A standard if available to you.

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
April 22, 2016

If you use transparency AND force yourself to save in an ancient PDF format (PDF 1.3 as used by PDF/A-1) that doesn't allow transparency, then you are insisting on flattening...

Please define exactly what you mean by "read only". Or what you are trying to prevent. Watermarks aren't part of making things "read only" as most people use the term, but people do use it for all sorts of things. Bear in mind PDF/A is about allowing, not preventing, things...

J
JayDSAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 22, 2016

I see.  Basically, I'm wanting to apply a watermark that says "ARCHIVE" at a 45° with a 25% screen on it behind the text (which I can do), but saving the file as an archival PDF that prevents editing, and still have the text be searchable with the Find function at the same time. I apologize for any ignorance on my part.  Thank you again.

J
JayDSAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 22, 2016

OK. Thank you for the clarification.  To your knowledge, is there there a way to make a PDF read-only while being able to use a transparency, like a watermark?  I've been able to successfully add header/footer, denoting that my document was an "archive" version, which works too, but the watermark feature just adds more security.

Thanks again in advance, for the input and help

T
Test Screen NameCorrect answer
Legend
April 22, 2016

I don't know what A/Web is. But if you are saving as PDF/A-1a or PDF/A-1b, and you have transparency, this must be flattened. Flattening will often lose the text completely, for example if text overlaps an image transparently.  Probably your watermark uses transparency. Not a glitch or bug.

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices