Prevent Printing a PDF
Handouts, drafts and paid material sometimes need to stay on screen. This page is preset with Allow printing switched off, so standard PDF readers grey out the print option, and you also set the password needed to open the file. It's a simple way to disable printing on a PDF before you share it.
Secure cloud processing
How to block printing on a PDF
- 1Select the PDF.
- 2Enter the open password, and a permissions password if you like.
- 3Leave Allow printing switched off, as preset. Editing is off by default too.
- 4Choose whether to allow copying, comments and form filling.
- 5Press Protect PDF and download the file.
Good to know
- Test it: open the protected file in your PDF reader and check that Print is unavailable.
- A print lock stops the print command, not screenshots or photos of the screen. Add a watermark such as your name or CONFIDENTIAL if copies worry you.
- Watermark first, then protect: a protected file has to be unlocked before other tools can change it.
Frequently asked questions
Will the PDF be impossible to print?
Standard PDF readers respect the setting and block printing, but some tools ignore permissions and anyone can take a screenshot. Treat it as a strong deterrent, not absolute protection.
Can I allow printing again later?
Yes. Protect your original file again with Allow printing on, or remove the protection with Unlock PDF using the password you set.
Is it free?
Yes, you can protect files free 3 times a day without signing up. Files are uploaded encrypted and deleted right after processing.