Prepare a Confidential PDF
Sharing sensitive documents requires more than just password protection. This workflow combines four tools into one streamlined process: automatically detect and redact personal information, strip hidden metadata, stamp a visible CONFIDENTIAL watermark, and lock the file with a password — all before it leaves your hands.
Why this workflow?
Automated PII Detection
AI scans every page for personal data — no manual searching through hundreds of pages.
Metadata-Clean Files
Hidden author names, edit history, and embedded scripts are completely removed before sharing.
Visual Deterrent
A clear CONFIDENTIAL watermark discourages unauthorized redistribution at a glance.
Defense in Depth
Four layers of protection — redaction, sanitization, watermarking, and encryption — in one workflow.
Step-by-step workflow
- 1Upload your documentPII Redaction
Upload the PDF that contains sensitive information you need to share externally.
- 2Redact personal informationPDF Sanitizer
Use AI PII Redaction to automatically detect and permanently black out names, SSNs, addresses, and phone numbers.
- 3Sanitize metadataWatermark PDF
Run the PDF Sanitizer to strip hidden metadata — author name, revision history, JavaScript, and embedded objects.
- 4Add confidentiality watermarkProtect PDF
Apply a visible CONFIDENTIAL watermark diagonally across every page so recipients know the document is sensitive.
- 5Password-protect and download
Set a strong password and restrict printing/copying. Download the secured PDF and share the password via a separate channel.
Desafíos comunes con documentos
- Accidentally sharing documents with hidden PII (names, SSNs, addresses) still visible
- Metadata exposure — author names, revision history, and tracked changes leaking to recipients
- No visible confidentiality marking on sensitive files shared externally
- Forgetting to password-protect documents before emailing to third parties
- Running four separate tools manually every time a document needs to go out
Tools used in this workflow
PII Redaction
AI-powered detection and permanent redaction of names, SSNs, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal identifiers
PDF Sanitizer
Strip hidden metadata, JavaScript, embedded files, revision history, and author information from the PDF
Watermark PDF
Stamp a visible CONFIDENTIAL, PRIVILEGED, or INTERNAL watermark across every page
Protect PDF
Set an open password and restrict printing, copying, and editing to prevent unauthorized use
Preguntas frecuentes
- Is the PII redaction permanent?
- Yes. The AI PII Redaction tool permanently removes detected text from the PDF — it is not a visual overlay. The original text cannot be recovered, copied, or searched after redaction.
- What metadata does the sanitizer remove?
- The PDF Sanitizer removes author and creator fields, creation/modification dates, revision history, embedded JavaScript, file attachments, XMP metadata, and document properties. The result is a clean PDF with no traceable metadata.
- Can I customize the watermark text?
- Yes. You can set any watermark text (CONFIDENTIAL, PRIVILEGED, INTERNAL, DRAFT, or custom text), choose the position, font size, color, opacity, and rotation angle.
- Does this workflow work with scanned PDFs?
- For scanned PDFs, run the OCR tool first to add a text layer, then follow this workflow. PII Redaction requires a text layer to detect personal information.
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