Request for Improved PDF Password Protection in InDesign: Allow Import with Read/Print Access Only

[Nicky G.]

When I export a document to PDF from Indesign (or illustrator), I would need to password protect the Copy/Modification of the elements in my PDF, at the same time allow READING and PRINTING of that PDF document.

All this IS currently ALLOWED BY "INDESIGN"!

When I create a PDF with these limitations, I open it in ACROBAT and I can SEE and PRINT IT. When I try to MODIFY IT, Acrobat asks me for a PASSWORD.
ALL RIGHT.

THE PROBLEM: Since most designers use PDFs to create not only digital products, but very often to send their PDFs to external services (printing service or Typography).
The problem is that they often use INDESIGN to lay out and imposition documents. This problem occurs when the PDF is imported into INDESIGN for layout, the PDF is not imported if the password is not entered.
Given that the PDF has been inserted with the possibility of Viewing and Printing, why is a simple import (from a linked PDF) not allowed???
The password function at this point becomes useless. I would like to protect the documents from being able to prevent the printers from "stealing" my contents (it happens often), but at the same time allow them to Print my document, since that is their job.

How to solve it? Is it possible to change this procedure? Or put a password only for printing and importing??

<Title renamed by MOD>

[BobLevine]

It's always been this way. That printer has no business imposing your PDF with InDesign or any other page layout application.

And FWIW, the whole PDF security thing is pretty much a waste of time and effort.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Nicky G.,

Thank you for sharing your experience, and I completely understand the concern of wanting to protect your PDF content while still allowing printing and viewing access. It’s frustrating when the protection features don’t align with your workflow, especially when working with external printing services.

Currently, the password protection feature in InDesign is designed to prevent both modification and import into other applications like InDesign itself, even when viewing and printing are allowed. This limitation ensures that content remains secure, but I can see how it complicates your needs for layout and imposition purposes.

I understand that this functionality is important to you, and I apologize for its unavailability at this time. Could you let me know which version of InDesign you’re using and what operating system? In the meantime, you might consider sending flattened PDF files to prevent content extraction or exporting as a high-resolution image if content security is critical.

I’ll also pass along your feedback to the team, as this is valuable insight for future improvements. Would you mind creating a UserVoice for this feature request [here](https://adobe.ly/4d3Ibc2) and adding your comments there? Doing this will help us prioritize this request, and you will be notified of any updates. Let me know if you need further assistance!

Thank you, 

Abhishek Rao

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Nicky G.

But if something can be viewed / printed - it can be stolen...