How to Print a Locked PDF? Print in Minutes

If you want to know how to print a locked PDF, you need to remove the restrictions from the PDF first. Installing a desktop application like Revove PDF Unlocker, can help save your time and give you the desired result. The user can add the file(s), enter the password if a pop-up message appears, click Unlock, and then save and print the unlocked copy of the PDF. There are other various options available too, which you can use, but the above unlocking can only happen if the PDF is owned by you, or you are authorised by the user and have the password.

This can be confusing, but this guide will explain to you the types of locks PDFs have, different possible ways to fix it, and which method is best suited to print a locked PDF effectively.

How do the Restrictions Actually Work?

PDF restrictions are stored inside the file as tags. These tags work as a communicator to the viewer about the functions that a user is allowed to perform on the specific file.

Open passwords, which are user passwords, work differently. It uses real encryption, which keeps the content scrambled and unreadable until the correct password is entered. You cannot access the content without a password in this case.

The most important part: the restrictions rely on the viewer who chooses to obey them. A viewer like Adobe Reader respects the given flags and works accordingly. It locks the restrictions that are mentioned in the flags, which is why tools like PDF lock remover can get rid of restrictions and give you an unlocked copy.

Why Do People Need to Print a Locked PDF?

There are many times when we lock a PDF file that has secured or bank-related data and is protected with a password or restrictions. We need to access these files to get it signed, print, or send someone else for work. To send or print a locked PDF, you are required to remove password and restrictions (if any) from the PDF so that the recipient can read and use the content.

As a recipient, if you receive a locked or restricted PDF file and need its content, you are required to remove the restrictions and password first to access the data. This can only be done if you have the password and are authorized to unlock it.

Methods to Print a Locked PDF

There are various methods to print a locked PDF when you have the password and need to remove the restrictions. These methods will provide you an unlocked copy of your PDF. These methods can be explained as-

1. Ask the Owner– If someone else is the owner of the file, you need to ask them for the permissions password or a version that is available with the printing option. This happens when you receive forms, e-tickets, bank statements, and upon asking, usually senders resend the printable copy.
2. Re-exporting– If you are the creator of the file, open the original file in Google Docs, Word, or Canva, and export a new PDF without any restrictions. This works only if you have the original file on your local device.
3. Re-downloading– If you want to print a protected PDF, you can look for a separate print option, usually available on PDF files that come from a bank, college, or some government portal.
4. Print to a new PDF– Some PDF files allow users to save or export the existing file as a new PDF even when direct printing is blocked. This method does not work on properly restricted files and can disturb the structure of the content.
5. PDF Lock Remover Tool– This is the most reliable and recommended option, especially when you don’t have the original PDF file. A PDF lock remover creates a fresh copy with the restrictions removed, maintaining the same structure as the normal copy. After unlocking it, you can print it like a normal file. Steps on how to print a locked PDF using this tool is explained further in the article.

• Step 1: Download and install the software on your local device.
  
  You need to install the desktop application and follow every step of installation of the software. It will get installed on your device in minutes. It has both Windows and Mac versions to help users extensively.
• Step 2: Open the software and add your PDF file(s). It will show you three options– you can add files, folders, or even search files with this application.



• Step 3: Enter the password if required. If any file is protected with a password, a pop-up message will appear, telling you to file the password for the specific PDF file(s).



• Step 4: Click ‘Unlock’ button preset in the bottom-right corner.The software then starts processing and removes the password and restrictions that were present on the file.



• Step 5: Save the unlocked PDF. Now, you can save the unlocked PDF on your device with an option to keep the original locked PDF file in the output folder. The PDF file is ready to be printed just like a normal PDF with no restrictions or password.

FAQs

1. Will the QR code present in my PDF file still scan if I unlock it using software?

Ans. Yes. Unlocking the PDF file using the Revove tool does not disturb or interfere with the data present in the file. It only removes the password and restrictions, keeping the structure and content intact.

2. Will it show print restriction if I email the unlocked PDF to someone else?

Ans. No. The unlocked copy of the PDF does not contain any restrictions or password. If anyone receives the file, they can easily take a printout of it.

3. My PDF file is opening fine but showing print option in grey. Is my printer the problem?

Ans. In most cases, no. If the print option is greyed out, it means it has print restrictions on it. The printer is completely fine. To print a locked PDF, you can opt for a suitable method or a lock remover tool.

4. Will the file name change after its unlocked using the Revove tool?

Ans. No. It only asks you to select the output folder where you need to save your unlocked copy. It will keep the content and other file details same as it was before.

5. Does unlocking a PDF remove the watermark?

Ans. No. A watermark is not a file restriction. It is part of the page content. If you want to remove watermark from the file, you can use the paid version of Revove Tool. It will remove the watermark with restrictions from your file.