Flatten Layers API Tool - Collapse and Remove PDF 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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Request

POST

Headers

Api-Key

Don't have a key? Create an account to get one.

Response-Type

Choose between a full response after processing completes or an immediate response containing only the requestId to poll for the processing status later.

Full Response

Request ID

Required Parameters

file

File to be uploaded and processed

Alphanumeric ID (UUID) of existing file on server to be processed

Optional Parameters

output

Name of the generated output file, without extension

Code

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.

Build Your Solution

You have document processing problems, we have Solutions. Explore the many ways pdfRest can align your documents with your business objectives.

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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#

1 item

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

The id parameter allows you to submit a resource ID generated by one of our API Tools. Each of our API Tools assigns a unique resource ID to your output file(s), allowing you to chain requests together without having to download intermediate files between requests.

For example, you can submit the output ID you receive from our Merge PDFs tool to flatten your new PDF before you download it.

See Documentation

Output

The output parameter lets you set a filename (without extension) for your flattened PDF.

See Documentation