Set PDF Permissions & Restrict Editing
Add DRM to your PDF files. Set owner passwords to restrict printing, copying, and editing. Secure your intellectual property with 256-bit encryption.
- Disable Printing
- Prevent Copying
- Lock Annotations
What is the Set PDF Permissions Tool?
The Set PDF Permissions tool allows you to apply DRM (Digital Rights Management) and security restrictions to your PDF documents. By setting an owner password, you can lock specific features, preventing unauthorized users from printing, copying text, modifying content, or extracting pages.
How to Restrict Editing in a PDF
- 01
Upload Your PDF
Select the PDF document you want to secure. All uploads are encrypted.
- 02
Choose Restrictions
Select which actions to block: disable printing, prevent text copying, or lock form filling and annotations. Set a master password.
- 03
Download Secured PDF
Apply the settings and download your locked PDF. The restrictions will be enforced by all standard PDF readers.
Tool Specifications
Why Restrict PDF Permissions?
Protect Intellectual Property
If you are selling e-books, research reports, or sheet music, disabling text copying and printing prevents easy piracy and unauthorized distribution.
Secure Legal Documents
Ensure that contracts, NDAs, or official forms cannot be altered or tampered with after you have finalized them.
Corporate Compliance
Share internal memos or financial statements with employees while ensuring the data cannot be extracted or printed outside the office.
Everything you need to know
What is the difference between an owner password and a user password?
A user password is required just to OPEN the document. An owner password allows anyone to open the document, but RESTRICTS what they can do (like copying or printing) unless they enter the password.
Can someone easily bypass these restrictions?
We use strong 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. While no digital file is 100% immune to dedicated hackers, our permissions are strictly enforced by Adobe Acrobat and all compliant PDF viewers.
Can I remove the permissions later?
Yes, as long as you remember the owner password you set, you can use our 'Unlock PDF' tool to remove the restrictions at any time.
Related Tools
Control what others can do with your PDF by setting custom permissions to restrict printing, editing, copying, and more. With our simple online tool, just upload your PDF, choose the restrictions you need, and download your secured file in seconds—no software required.
More Use Cases
Convert PDF to PDF/A
Convert your existing PDF to PDF/A for a long-term document preservation.
Learn More
Compress PDF
Is your PDF too large to share or upload? Instantly compress your PDF files to reduce their size with our easy-to-use online tool.
Learn More
Password Protect PDF
Encrypt your PDF with a password to protect sensitive content. Simply upload the PDF and choose a password.
Learn More
Set PDF Permissions
Control what others can do with your PDF by setting custom permissions to restrict printing, editing, copying, and more.
Learn More