# Flatten PDF > Flatten a PDF online, free. Merge form fields, signatures and annotations into one layer while keeping text searchable. Files deleted in 15 minutes. Make a PDF non-editable by locking its forms and markup into the page. Use it free in your browser: https://fynepdf.com/tools/flatten-pdf - Text stays searchable - No watermark on downloads ## Features ### Lock Interactive Elements Merge filled form fields, signature images and annotations into the page itself. ### Flatten on Any Device Works in any browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Android. ### Then Merge Into One Pack Combine flattened forms and receipts into one submission with Merge PDF. ## Three Steps to a Single Layer, Flattened PDF FynePDF handles the complex layer flattening automatically, you just upload your file and download. 1. **Upload your PDF**: Drag and drop or select your fillable or layered document up to 600MB on the free plan and 5GB on paid. 2. **Flatten all layers**: Form fields, annotations and stamps are merged into the page content as a single layer. 3. **Download the Result**: Your fully flattened, print-ready PDF is ready to download immediately and auto-deleted after 15 min. ## Make Form Fields Part of the Page Flatten form fields and annotations into page content for sharing and printing. Review the result before using it in your workflow. - **Lock Fillable Forms**: Flatten completed applications, tax forms, and invoices so the entered data becomes part of the page content. - **Flatten Signature Images**: Make signature images and stamps part of the page content. Flatten before applying a certificate-based signature, which later changes can invalidate. - **Burn-in Annotations**: Turn sticky notes, highlights, and markup drawings into permanent parts of the page so they appear as page content when viewed or printed. - **Prepare for Printing**: Flatten completed form fields and annotations into the page for printing. Preview the output and check printer settings before making copies. - **Fix Mobile Viewing**: Flatten filled form fields into page content for sharing with readers that do not support interactive forms. Preview the result before sending. - **Simplify Page Content**: Flatten interactive elements in a design PDF for review. Keep an editable source copy if you may need to change the original content later. ## How flattening a PDF works A PDF can hold interactive elements that sit separately from the page, form fields you can type into, annotations you can move, signature images you can drag. Flattening merges all of it into the page content itself, so what you see becomes fixed. The document looks identical and prints identically, but nothing can be edited or removed. - **Forms become permanent**: Text typed into form fields is written into the page. The fields disappear and the answers stay. - **Markup can't be moved**: Highlights, notes and stamps merge into the page, so a recipient can't select or delete them. - **Text stays selectable**: Flattening merges layers without converting pages to images, so your text remains searchable and copyable. ## Before and after flattening - [Annotate PDF](https://fynepdf.com/tools/annotate-pdf): Mark up the document, then flatten the annotations into page content. - [Sign PDF](https://fynepdf.com/tools/sign-pdf): Sign first; flattening makes the signature permanent. - [Protect PDF](https://fynepdf.com/tools/protect-pdf): Flattening stops edits; a password stops access. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does flattening a PDF do? When should I use it? Flattening converts supported form fields, annotations, stamps, and signature images into page content. This can make completed forms easier to share or print with readers that do not display interactive fields. It does not prevent later PDF editing or copying. Keep the original if you need to revise the form. ### Will flattening affect the quality or make text unselectable? No. Flattening merges layers into the page content without converting anything to an image, so quality is unchanged and your text stays searchable and selectable. Only the interactive behaviour is removed. ### Is the Flatten tool free to use online? Yes, FynePDF's Flatten PDF tool is free with no sign-up required. Free accounts flatten files up to 600MB, with 10 tasks and 600MB of processing a day. Professional at $7/month raises this to 5GB with unlimited daily tasks. ### Is it safe to use Flatten on FynePDF? Are my files secure? File transfers use TLS encryption. Cloud-processed files are automatically deleted within 15 minutes after processing completes, unless you choose to save them to your Library. Documents are not used to train AI models. Read the Privacy Policy for storage and processing details. ### Can I use the Flatten tool on Mac, Windows, or mobile? Yes. FynePDF's flatten tool works directly from your browser, so it works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android with no installation. Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge are all supported. ### How do I make a PDF non-editable? Flattening is the usual answer it merges form fields, annotations and stamps into the page so nothing can be changed. It doesn't stop someone opening the file or copying its text, so if you need to control access as well, add a password with Protect PDF. Flatten stops editing; a password stops opening. ### Can flattening be undone? No. Once form fields and annotations are merged into the page, they can't be separated again, and a flattened form can't be filled in a second time. Keep your original before flattening if you might need to change the answers or reuse the form. ### Does flattening invalidate a digital signature? Yes, for certificate-based digital signatures. Any change to a signed PDF breaks the cryptographic hash that proves the document hasn't been altered, and flattening is a change. Signature images are unaffected and flatten normally. If your document carries a certificate-based signature, flatten before signing rather than after. ### Why does my filled PDF form print blank or look wrong? Some printers and basic mobile readers don't render interactive form fields, so the boxes print empty even though your answers are on screen. Flattening merges the answers into the page itself, which fixes it, the printed result then matches exactly what you see. --- Open this page in a browser: https://fynepdf.com/tools/flatten-pdf More: [All tools](https://fynepdf.com/tools) · [AI agents](https://fynepdf.com/ai/agents) · [llms.txt](https://fynepdf.com/llms.txt) · [Sitemap](https://fynepdf.com/sitemap.xml)