The Fast, Secure Way to Flatten a PDF
How to Flatten a PDF in 3 Easy Steps
Merge all layers and elements into one single layer in seconds
Is it free to flatten a PDF with LightPDF?
Yes, it's completely free to use once you subscribe to the 3-day free trial or upgrade to Premium. Free users can process up to 3 files, each smaller than 10MB.
What does “flattening” a PDF actually do?
Flattening a PDF removes all interactive or dynamic elements (like form fields, annotations, and layers), turning them into static content that can’t be edited.
Can I flatten just part of a PDF?
Currently, our tool flattens the entire document to ensure consistency. Partial flattening is not supported yet.
Will flattening change how my PDF looks?
Not at all. The visual layout, fonts, colors, and spacing remain exactly the same—only the interactivity is removed.
Is it safe to upload sensitive documents?
Yes. We use secure, encrypted transfer and automatically delete all files within 24 hours to protect your privacy.
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