---
title: Free Tool to Make a PDF Uncopyable – Rasterize PDF Online | HelpRange
url: https://www.helprange.com/tools/rasterize-pdf
---

Free tool

# Make a PDF uncopyable (rasterize)

Turn every page into an image so nobody can select, copy or search the text – the document looks the same, but there is no text left to take.

[Do this for your team](https://www.helprange.com/feature-documents-disable-download-print)

## How it works

### Drop the PDF

Rasterizing starts by itself at 150 dpi.

### Every page becomes an image

Text, vector graphics, comments and form fields are drawn into one picture per page.

### Download

The PDF looks the same, but there is no text left to select or copy.
  ![A rasterized PDF: the page looks the same, but no text can be selected](/static/images/ui/tools/rasterize-pdf.jpg)A rasterized PDF: the page looks the same, but no text can be selected

### Uncopyable for real: a view-only link

A picture-only PDF can still be forwarded and printed. HelpRange shows documents in the browser with copying, downloads and printing blocked, the reader's e-mail watermarked on every page and screenshot protection – and you see who opened it.

 [Try HelpRange free](https://www.helprange.com/?from=tool-cta#signUpSection) [Compare plans – from $39 per team](https://www.helprange.com/pricing?from=tool-cta) [See copy and screenshot protection](https://www.helprange.com/feature-documents-screenshot-prevention)

Password permissions that "forbid copying" are ignored by many PDF programs. A rasterized PDF has no text layer at all, so there is nothing to select or copy – useful for samples, previews, price lists and exam papers you send out.

## Why "no copying" permissions are not enough

A password-protected PDF can forbid copying, but many readers ignore that flag and free tools remove it in seconds. A rasterized PDF has no text layer at all: what you see are images of the pages. Use it for samples, previews, exam papers, price lists and documents you want people to read but not reuse.

## Quality and file size

- 150 dpi (default) reads well on screen and prints acceptably.
- 100 dpi gives the smallest files for previews; 300 dpi for printing.
- Files with mostly text can grow larger than the original – [compress](https://www.helprange.com/tools/compress-pdf) them if needed.

The text is not truly protected: someone can retype it or run OCR. To stop downloads, forwarding and screenshots, share a view-only link instead.

## Example: a sample chapter

You sell a guide and want to send a free sample chapter. Rasterize the sample at 150 dpi: readers can scroll and print it, but cannot copy whole paragraphs into their own material or paste the text into a chatbot. Add a header such as “Sample – not for resale” first, so it is part of the picture.

FAQ

## Make a PDF uncopyable (rasterize) – questions

Can the text still be copied?

Not as text – each page is a picture. Someone could still retype it or run OCR on it; to stop forwarding and screenshots too, share the PDF as a protected view-only link.

What do I lose?

Searchability, selectable text, links, bookmarks, form fields and accessibility for screen readers. Keep the original for yourself.

Do you keep my file?

Only for a short time: uploads are deleted right after processing, the result after 30 minutes – or at once with “Delete now”.

Can I make it searchable again later?

Only with OCR, which recognises the text from the images – keep your original PDF instead.

 Related free tools

 [Password-protect a PDF](https://www.helprange.com/tools/password-protect-pdf)[Flatten a PDF](https://www.helprange.com/tools/flatten-pdf)[Watermark a PDF – one personalised copy per recipient](https://www.helprange.com/tools/pdf-watermark)[Add a header and footer to a PDF](https://www.helprange.com/tools/header-footer-pdf)

[All free tools](https://www.helprange.com/tools)