If you've ever tried to redact a PDF by drawing a black box over text, then hit "Select All" and watched the words underneath copy out anyway, you've seen the problem. A shape on top of text doesn't remove it — it just hides it visually. Real redaction takes the content out of the file entirely, so it can't be selected, copied, or searched afterward.
Here's how to do that with pdfCraft's redaction tool.
Why covering text isn't redaction
pdfCraft's redaction tool converts each redacted page into a flattened image with the black boxes burned into the pixels. Once a page is redacted, the text underneath is gone from the file — not hidden, gone. Pages you don't touch keep their normal, selectable text.
Step 1: Upload your PDF
Go to Redact PDF and drop in your document. No account is needed for manual redaction. On the free plan you can redact files up to 50 MB and 50 pages, with 10 exports a day.
There are two ways to find what to redact:
- Draw boxes manually. Click and drag over any text, image, or region you want removed — a name, an account number, a signature. This is free, no sign-up required.
- Let AI find it for you (Pro). pdfCraft scans the document and flags personal information across 13 categories — full names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses, national ID/NIN, BVN, passport numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account and card numbers, dates of birth, medical details, and other financial data. Nothing is removed automatically: you review each detection and approve the ones you actually want gone.
Step 3: Apply and download
Once everything's marked, apply the redactions and download the new file. This is the point of no return for that copy — a redaction can't be undone once applied, so keep your original file if you might need the unredacted version later.
What happens to your file
For manual redaction, your original PDF is never uploaded — the work happens in your browser. Only the finished, already-redacted copy is sent over an encrypted connection, just to check your plan limits, and it's deleted after you download it.
If you use AI detection (Pro), the document's text is sent to pdfCraft's AI provider to find personal information. Either way, pdfCraft doesn't store or share your documents.
When you'd actually use this
- Sharing a contract, CV, or case file without someone else's personal details
- Blacking out account numbers on a bank statement before forwarding it
- Preparing a document for a FOIA, GDPR, or legal disclosure request
- Protecting patient information in a medical record
- Sharing a report or piece of evidence without exposing a third party's data
Once a document's clean, you might also want to password-protect it before sending, or run OCR on it first if it started as a scan.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF redaction permanent?
Yes. Each redacted page is converted into a flat image with the black boxes burned into the pixels, so the text underneath is gone from the file — it can't be selected, copied, or extracted. Pages you don't redact keep their selectable text. Keep your original file if you may need it later, because a redaction can't be undone in the downloaded copy.
What's the difference between manual and AI redaction?
Manual redaction means you draw the boxes yourself over whatever you want removed — free, no account needed. AI detection (Pro) scans the document and flags personal information across 13 categories automatically. Either way, nothing is removed until you apply it — with AI detection, you review and approve each flagged item first.
Is it free to redact a PDF?
Yes. Manual redaction is free with no account needed, within the free limits: 50 MB per file, up to 50 pages, and 10 exports per day. AI-powered redaction is available on the Pro plan.
Does pdfCraft store my redacted files?
No. Redaction happens in your browser, so your original PDF is never uploaded for manual redaction. Only the finished redacted copy is sent over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection so we can check your plan limits, and it's deleted after you download it. If you use AI detection (Pro), the text of your document is sent to our AI provider to find sensitive information. pdfCraft doesn't keep or share your documents.
Can I redact multiple pages?
Yes. You can redact as many areas as you need across every page of a PDF. Free accounts support up to 50 pages per document; Pro has no page limit.
Does this help with GDPR or similar privacy rules?
Redacting a document removes personal data from the copy you share, which can support data-minimization practices before you send a file out. It isn't a substitute for legal advice — talk to a compliance professional if you have formal obligations to meet.
Redact a PDF now — manual redaction is free, no account needed.