How does Apply restrictions work on MakeOverPDF?

Set permission flags for printing, copying and editing. MakeOverPDF runs qpdf --print / --modify / --extract on the server and returns: One PDF, downloaded immediately.

Is Apply restrictions free and private to use?

Yes. MakeOverPDF requires no user account, watermarks nothing unless you use the watermark tool, and deletes your uploaded document from the private working directory as soon as the request finishes.

What are the file size and page limits for Apply restrictions?

The document still opens with no password: restrictions govern what a reader may do with it once it is open, not whether they may see it. Every flag is read back from the produced file before the download is offered — the tool checks the same permission words a reader will report, and refuses to hand over a document that does not match what you asked for. Text extraction for accessibility cannot be restricted with modern PDF encryption — the format ignores the flag — so this tool never offers it, and the result honestly reports it as allowed. All three boxes ticked prevents everything. Untick a box to allow that action; a submission that would restrict nothing is refused rather than producing a file that looks protected and is not.

Available now Advisory only

Apply restrictions

Set permission flags for printing, copying and editing.

Run this tool

The file is processed on this server and deleted as soon as the response is sent. Nothing is stored, and the result is returned directly to you rather than parked behind a link.

The document

Choose a PDF to restrict Up to 25 MB. The file's contents are checked, not just its name.

What to prevent

Prevent printing Readers that honour the flags will not offer a printout. Prevent copying text and images Extraction for accessibility stays allowed — PDF cannot restrict it with modern encryption, and the tool does not pretend otherwise. Prevent editing, commenting and form filling Covers changes to pages, annotations, form values and page assembly.

The document still opens with no password — anyone may read it. The restrictions apply to what they may do with it once it is open. Leave at least one ticked; untick a box to allow that action.

The password

Password that protects these restrictions Without it, anyone could remove the restrictions. There is no way to recover it — write it down somewhere safe.

Advisory, not DRM: the flags are written correctly, but any reader that ignores the owner password ignores them too. This is stated here rather than buried in a FAQ.

How to use Apply restrictions

Select your document: Choose the file you want to process with Apply restrictions. Your upload is validated immediately against strict format and size limits.
Configure apply restrictions options: Adjust any page ranges, compression targets, passwords, or layout settings required for your task. Set permission flags for printing, copying and editing.
Run and receive your result: Submit the form to run qpdf --print / --modify / --extract directly on this server. Output: One PDF, downloaded immediately. Temporary input files are deleted automatically when processing completes.

Frequently asked questions

How does Apply restrictions work on MakeOverPDF?: Set permission flags for printing, copying and editing. MakeOverPDF runs qpdf --print / --modify / --extract on the server and returns: One PDF, downloaded immediately.
Is Apply restrictions free and private to use?: Yes. MakeOverPDF requires no user account, watermarks nothing unless you use the watermark tool, and deletes your uploaded document from the private working directory as soon as the request finishes.
What are the file size and page limits for Apply restrictions?: The document still opens with no password: restrictions govern what a reader may do with it once it is open, not whether they may see it. Every flag is read back from the produced file before the download is offered — the tool checks the same permission words a reader will report, and refuses to hand over a document that does not match what you asked for. Text extraction for accessibility cannot be restricted with modern PDF encryption — the format ignores the flag — so this tool never offers it, and the result honestly reports it as allowed. All three boxes ticked prevents everything. Untick a box to allow that action; a submission that would restrict nothing is refused rather than producing a file that looks protected and is not.
How reliable is Apply restrictions?: Advisory only (qpdf --print / --modify / --extract): Advisory, not DRM. The flags are written correctly, but any reader that ignores the owner password will ignore them too. This is stated on the tool, not buried in a FAQ.

How it works

Engine: qpdf --print / --modify / --extract
Category: PDF Security
Reliability: Advisory only
Output: One PDF, downloaded immediately

What to expect

Advisory, not DRM. The flags are written correctly, but any reader that ignores the owner password will ignore them too. This is stated on the tool, not buried in a FAQ.

The document still opens with no password: restrictions govern what a reader may do with it once it is open, not whether they may see it.
Every flag is read back from the produced file before the download is offered — the tool checks the same permission words a reader will report, and refuses to hand over a document that does not match what you asked for.
Text extraction for accessibility cannot be restricted with modern PDF encryption — the format ignores the flag — so this tool never offers it, and the result honestly reports it as allowed.
All three boxes ticked prevents everything. Untick a box to allow that action; a submission that would restrict nothing is refused rather than producing a file that looks protected and is not.

Privacy

Your document is written to a private directory outside the web root, processed by a local executable, and deleted when the request ends. There is no upload URL, no account, and no third-party service involved.

Apply restrictions

Run this tool

How to use Apply restrictions

Frequently asked questions

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