: Can we really prevent others from reproducing our layout proposals to our clients? How can we prevent others (printing press) from reproducing our designs/layouts after we submitted our soft copy

@Nimeshi706

Before sending your pdf to the client, go to: File > Document Properties > Security > Security Method: Password Security. Once you turn on Password Security, you have the option to restrict editing (none) and printing (none or low resolution). You can even disable copying of text, images and other content.

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@Yeniel278

You can not. Its technically impossible and requires future tech that is not even available for the NSA (if it was then no edward snowden). You can however degrade the soft proof so that it is nonsuitable for use in print (export as low res bitmap). This does not stop some entities apparently.

So the real answer is you stop this practice by writing a contract. If you do not trust your clients then you should not have them as clients.

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@Alves566

Why do I get the feeling you want a James Bond file that self-destructs in a relatively small period of time after the user has opened it? [joke]



If you are having trust issues with your customers, you could [this assumes that you have a website] :


make your client feel important by giving him a client account on your website
tell him that this way he can have real time updates on your work
only show your finished layout proposal on that customer account


This way you may have some control and really make the image unavailable after 10-30 minutes after he logged in to see it. If you are lucky enough for your customer to use an updated browser you can even disable print-screens and right clicks but :


This may and probably will create conflict between you and your customers
Does not guarantee anything, even with modern browsers he can still use the Windows cut function or other software or even take a photo of the screen
Again, this will probably be a bad move all-together when working with people, it's like indirectly accusing them of something




Also, if you are interested in the Copyright perspective of things, you should probably check out my answer on How do web designers and companies copyright their work?

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@RJPawlick971

Export the layout/design not as an image but rather save it in pdf format.
If you are using Illustrator, uncheck the Preserve Illustrator editing capabilities so that it can not be edited in ai as well.

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