PDF flattening

[xray]

Is there any information on flattening pdf output? I'm curious if there is a way to ensure that the output is always flattened for security and fraud prevention reasons. 

Thanks

[BigChris]

I haven't got any information for you, but I'm curious...what does flattening a PDF mean?

[xray]

It prevents editing and deactivates certain types of items like fields.  Someone could still manipulate it, and based on further research applying a digital signature would be the most secure, but flattening would be a first step.

When the pdf is built there are layers to the document, the layers could be an image, text, fields.  If the layers have not been flattened together to one single layer you could, with some pdf software, edit the document.  Flattening also provides some compression.  I'm mostly concerned with the idea that some one could edit a text item, save the pdf, and present it as if that was the output provided by CA