Flatten Layers

Flatten Layers

Flatten Layers is a REST API Tool that collapses all PDF content spread across multiple document layers into one layer of page content. This tool is designed to help developers simplify PDF documents, enhance compatibility, and optimize files for reliable printing and distribution by consolidating complex layered structures.

Key Benefits of Flatten Layers API

  • Reduce file complexity by consolidating content from multiple PDF layers into a single, unified page content layer, simplifying document structure for downstream workflows.
  • Prepare PDFs for print reliably by optimizing document content and reducing potential rendering issues associated with layered files, ensuring consistent output.
  • Streamline integration with existing systems by providing a simplified PDF structure that is more universally compatible with various viewers and processing tools.
  • Ensure consistent content display by eliminating the variable visibility of layers, making all content permanently visible for archiving and sharing.
  • Leverage tried-and-true Adobe® technology, which has supported enterprise print operations for decades, guaranteeing reliable optimization of PDF documents.
  • Automate the process of flattening PDF layers, allowing you to achieve optimized files for distribution without needing to delve into the nuances of the PDF file format.
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Why is pdfRest the best API to flatten PDF layers?
pdfRest offers the best solution for flattening PDF layers, because it reduces file complexity, prepares PDFs for print, and streamlines integration.

Reduce File Complexity

PDF layers can be helpful during the PDF creation process to keep related content separated and make it easy to apply further changes to each component. Once the PDF is finished, no longer intended to be edited, and ready to distribute, separate content layers may not serve the same utility for the intended viewers of the document. Flattening layers places all content together on one layer, which simplifies the document content and removes unnecessary complexity that can result in downstream workflow problems.

Prep for Print

Flattening PDF layers is one step that helps to ensure PDF content is ready to be printed consistently and reliably. While this step is not always required as part of a preflight print process, it helps to reduce the risk of problems associated with the incorrect use of layers.

pdfRest is built with tried-and-true Adobe® technology that has supported enterprise print operations for decades. Flattening layers with pdfRest reliably optimizes PDF documents for printing.

Simple and Streamlined

Flattening layers is a complex operation, but you shouldn't have to dive into all the nuances of the PDF file format to achieve the results you're looking for. Let pdfRest do all the heavy lifting for you!

The process is simple - just pass in a PDF with multiple content layers and receive back a PDF with all content flattened to one layer. Results are consistent and reliable, helping you streamline the process to optimize your files for distribution.

Start from Code Examples
See more code examples in our GitHub repository

Need more help?

Start with a Tutorial for step-by-step guidance

How to Flatten Layers in PDF Files in .NET with C#
Customize Your Solution

Learn about the parameters for this tool to create your custom solution.

File

The file parameter allows you to select a local file to be uploaded to pdfRest’s processing server.

See Documentation

Safe & Secure

Confidently process your sensitive data with pdfRest. Our platform is fortified for robust, Enterprise-grade security and compliance, including GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 2 certification in progress. Your data's protection is our priority.

Frequently Asked Questions
Need more help? Contact Us or visit our documentation.

The Flatten Layers API is a REST API tool that consolidates all content from a PDF with multiple layers into a single, unified layer. This process simplifies the document's structure, enhances compatibility, and prepares the file for reliable printing and distribution.

PDF layers, also known as Optional Content Groups (OCGs), are different content layers within a single PDF document that can be turned on or off. They are often used in technical drawings or complex documents to show or hide specific content, such as different language versions or design elements.

Flattening layers is a crucial step for finalizing a PDF. Once a document is ready for distribution or printing, separate layers can lead to inconsistencies when viewed with different software. Flattening ensures that all content is permanently visible and that the document's structure is simplified for improved compatibility and consistent output.

Flattening PDF layers is an important preflight step that ensures all content will be printed correctly. Layers can sometimes cause rendering issues or problems with older printing systems. By collapsing all content into a single layer, this API helps to mitigate these risks and reliably optimizes the document for printing.

pdfRest offers the best solution for flattening PDF layers because it simplifies a complex process and leverages tried-and-true Adobe® technology. This ensures that the results are consistent and reliable, helping you to effortlessly optimize your files for distribution without needing to understand the nuances of the PDF format.

Ensuring the security and privacy of your data is a top priority at pdfRest. Our platform is built for robust, enterprise-grade security and compliance, including GDPR and HIPAA. All your files are secured with encryption during both transit and at-rest, and they are permanently deleted after the stated file retention period (30 minutes for most plans). For complete details, please refer to our Data Processing Agreement (DPA).

To facilitate GDPR compliance for your flattening workflows, pdfRest processes your data within the European Union and adheres to other strict data protection requirements. You can ensure all processing occurs within the EU by sending your API calls to the dedicated EU endpoint, https://eu-api.pdfrest.com/flattened-layers-pdf. Please note that a GDPR usage fee may apply for some plans. For more information, please review our Data Processing Agreement.

Integrating the Flatten Layers API is straightforward. We offer comprehensive API documentation and code samples in many programming languages. The API Lab also allows you to test and generate code snippets directly from your browser, simplifying the setup and ensuring a smooth integration experience.

Yes, you can use API Lab for a no-code solution directly from your browser. The API Lab provides a simple, visual interface where you can upload your PDF and send API calls without writing a single line of code.

Yes, pdfRest offers two self-hosted options. The pdfRest API Toolkit on AWS allows you to deploy and manage your own backend processing infrastructure within your AWS environment with pay-as-you-go pricing through the AWS Marketplace. The pdfRest API Toolkit Container provides ultimate environmental control as a Docker Container, giving you the flexibility to run the API in on-premises data centers or public/private cloud environments with a flexible, custom licensing model.

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