DOCVEIL GUIDE
How to Permanently Redact a PDF
A black rectangle does not automatically make a PDF safe. Permanent redaction must prevent the original information from remaining selectable or searchable.
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Why drawing over text can fail
Some tools add a shape above the original text. Covered text may still be copied, searched, or exposed when the shape is removed.
A reliable method
Render each page, apply opaque redactions to the pixels, and create a new PDF without the original text layer, metadata, comments, or attachments.
Verification checklist
Open the output separately and inspect every page.
- Search for a redacted value
- Try selecting text beneath the mask
- Check document properties
- Confirm no page was omitted
PROCESS LOCALLY
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