Redact PDF (Burn-in)
Real visual redaction: draw rectangles and flatten them into the PDF. Pro feature.
Draw black rectangles over text or images, then export an image-only PDF. Each page is rasterized before export, so covered text and objects are not copied into the output. Links, forms, selectable text, and document structure are intentionally removed.
Click and drag on the page to draw a redaction rectangle.
How to use Redact PDF (Burn-in)
- Upload the PDF containing sensitive information.
- Draw black rectangles over any text or images you need to remove.
- Export — each page is rasterized (converted to an image) so the redacted content isn't just visually covered, it's actually gone from the file.
Limitations
- Because pages are rasterized, the output loses selectable text, links, and form fields everywhere — not just under the redaction boxes. Don't use this on a document you still need to be text-searchable.
- Always double-check the exported file (not just the on-screen preview) before sending — this is the whole point of proper redaction.
Frequently asked questions
Is this true redaction, or just a black box on top of the text?
True redaction. The page is rasterized to an image during export, so the underlying text and objects under the black box are not present in the output file — unlike drawing a shape over text in a PDF viewer, which leaves the original text extractable.
About this tool
Redact PDF (Burn-in) is a single-purpose utility on instant.tw, a free toolbox of calculators, converters, generators, and quick lookups. Everything works in your browser — nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored on a server unless explicitly noted.
Category: PDF & Document Tools. Browse more PDF & Document Tools tools.