Rasterizing renders each page exactly as it looks and stores it as a picture, removing the underlying text, fonts, form fields, layers and hidden objects. It is the simplest way to stop casual copying and editing, to fix PDFs that print or display inconsistently between viewers, or to send a document to a system that chokes on complex PDFs.
How to rasterize a PDF
- Add one or more PDFs.
- Choose the resolution and image quality.
- Rasterize and download.
Good to know
- After rasterizing, text can no longer be selected or searched. Run OCR PDF afterwards if you need a searchable copy.
- Higher resolutions look sharper but make bigger files; 150 dpi is a good balance for on-screen reading.
- Rasterizing is not a substitute for redaction of specific content – use Redact PDF to black out sensitive words.
Frequently asked questions
Why rasterize a PDF?
To make a document harder to edit or copy from, to get rid of fonts, layers and form fields that cause display problems, or to meet a submission requirement for image-only PDFs.
Does it reduce file size?
It depends. Text-heavy PDFs usually get bigger; complex vector drawings can get smaller. Choose a lower resolution for smaller files.
Can I undo rasterizing?
No. Keep your original if you might need the editable version.