Why flatten after signing
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After Sign PDF, your file still contains movable annotation layers. Recipients opening in Adobe or Preview can accidentally nudge a signature box. Flatten PDF burns fields into the page pixels so the document behaves like a scanned final.
Upload and flatten in one pass
Upload the signed PDF to Flatten PDF and download the output. Form values, stamps, and signature images become part of each page — no separate editable layer remains.
When not to flatten
Keep the interactive version archived internally if legal needs to audit field history. Send the flattened copy externally. For password protection on finals, follow with Protect PDF.
Full workflow
Typical client packet: edit in PDF Editor → sign → flatten → optional watermark on drafts. Tool guide: how to flatten a PDF.