Controlled web link or QR code with access rules, tracking, replacement, and revocation.
PDF Protection Guide
Choose Online Sharing, DRM, or Flatten.
The three tools solve different problems. Online Sharing controls a hosted link or QR code. DRM/offline packaging is for protected file delivery. Flatten turns selectable text into image-style pages before you share the result.
Use this page as a timeline-style comparison: start with the normal sharing route, branch to DRM when the handoff must be a protected package, and flatten first only when direct text copy is the risk.
Protected portable package when a hosted page is not the right handoff.
Image-style PDF pages when direct text selection and copy-and-paste are the issue.
Tool comparison
Three tools, three different jobs.
Each card is readable on its own: what it protects, when to use it, when not to use it, and the basic workflow.
01
Online Sharing
Controlled link and QR delivery
- Use when
- You can keep the PDF online and send a link or QR code.
- Protects
- Access rules, expiry, open limits, email checks, watermarking, read records, replacement, and revocation.
- Avoid when
- The recipient must receive a protected portable package instead of a hosted page.
UploadSet rulesShare link / QRTrack or revoke
Open Online Sharing
02
DRM/offline
Protected file package route
- Use when
- A link-only workflow is not enough and the reader needs a portable protected package.
- Protects
- Opening behavior, expiry, open limits, watermarking, and controlled viewing in a DRM-style flow.
- Avoid when
- A normal hosted link is acceptable and you mainly need easy updates, records, and revocation.
UploadSet DRM rulesGenerate packageValidate reader
Open DRM
03
Flatten
Text-copy reduction layer
- Use when
- The main issue is direct text selection or copy-and-paste from the PDF.
- Protects
- The page form by converting text-based pages into image-style PDF pages.
- Avoid when
- You need user access control by itself; put the flattened PDF into Online Sharing or DRM for that.
Text PDFFlatten pagesImage-style PDFShare or package
Open Flatten
Decision flow
Choose by asking the questions in order.
This keeps the timeline format without turning the page into a hard-to-read table.
Can the PDF stay online?
Use Online Sharing. It gives the best everyday control for links and QR codes.
Does the reader need a protected file?
Use DRM/offline when the handoff must be a portable protected package.
Is direct text copy the problem?
Flatten first, then share or package the resulting image-style PDF.
Are there two different risks?
Layer the tools: Flatten for text copy, Online Sharing or DRM for access and delivery.
Layer order
How the three tools fit together.
Do not market them as one magic protection switch. Use each tool where it is strongest.
1
Flatten first, if needed
If selectable text is the concern, convert the PDF into image-style pages before sending it into a sharing or DRM route.
2
Share online by default
If a link or QR code works, Online Sharing gives the strongest day-to-day control: rules, tracking, updates, and revocation.
3
Use DRM for file handoff
Choose DRM/offline when the recipient needs a protected portable package rather than a normal hosted page.
4
Do not confuse the jobs
Flatten changes page form. Online Sharing controls a live share. DRM/offline controls a protected file route.
Online Sharing is usually first because it keeps a live control point for link and QR based delivery.
DRM/offline is for protected portable delivery when a link-only workflow is not enough.
Flatten is a page-conversion layer, useful before either route when direct text copy matters.
Recommended start
Start with Online Sharing, add Flatten or DRM only when that specific risk appears.
Flatten solves text-copy concerns. DRM/offline solves protected-file delivery. Online Sharing solves controlled link and QR distribution.