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.

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Parameters
Required Parameters
POST
/flattened-layers-pdf
curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/flattened-layers-pdf" \ 
  -H "Accept: application/json" \ 
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
Response
The response for your API Call will display here.
Once you've sent your POST request and received a valid response, you can download your output file using the output URL.
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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
  1. First, you'll need an API Key - to:
    • Stay anonymous with a Guest API Key for 10 free API Calls
    • Sign up for an upgraded API Key with unlimited, continuous service
  2. Choose your programming language
  3. Copy and paste the code to your project
  4. Update Api-Key field with your unique API Key
  5. Update file with the local path to your input
  6. Run this code to send an API Call
See more code examples in our
GitHub repository
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curl -X POST "https://api.pdfrest.com/flattened-layers-pdf" \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -H "Api-Key: xxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
  -F "file=@../Sample_Input/ducky.pdf" \
  -F "output=example_out"

Need more help?

Start with a Tutorial for step-by-step guidance

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File

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

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