To convert a PDF to a scanned PDF, open pdf2scan.com/tool, drop the file, pick a preset such as Office, and export as PDF. Each page is rasterized and given grayscale, a slight tilt, grain and softness, so it looks scanned. The conversion runs in your browser, takes seconds, and 1 PDF per day is free without signup.
- A “scanned PDF” stores each page as an image instead of text and vector graphics.
- Conversion is instant in the browser; no scanner or printer needed.
- You can export the result as PDF, or as JPG/PNG images (one per page, zipped for multi-page files).
- The text is no longer selectable or searchable, so keep the original file.
- 150 dpi keeps files small; 200–300 dpi keeps fine print sharp.
What “scanned PDF” actually means
A normal (digital) PDF stores text as characters with fonts, so you can select, search and copy it. A scanned PDF stores a picture of each page, the same way a scanner does. Converting “PDF to scanned PDF” means producing that image-based version, usually with scanner imperfections so it looks like it came from paper.
| Digital PDF | Scanned PDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Page content | Text, fonts, vector graphics | One image per page |
| Select / search text | Yes | No (unless OCR is added) |
| Typical look | Perfectly sharp and straight | Grayscale, slight tilt, grain, soft edges |
| File size | Small | Larger, depends on resolution |
| Editable | Easy to edit | Hard to edit |
For a deeper comparison, see scanned PDF vs digital PDF.
Convert a PDF to a scanned PDF in 3 steps
- Open the converter. Go to pdf2scan.com/tool and drop your PDF. Multi-page PDFs, JPG and PNG files are supported. Nothing is uploaded: PDF2Scan renders the pages in your browser.
- Choose the scan look. Start with Office; switch to Subtle if the document has small print, or Old for an aged copy. Adjust rotation, noise, blur, contrast, brightness and paper tint while comparing the Original and Scanned views.
- Pick the output and download. Choose PDF for a scanned PDF, or JPG/PNG if you need images. Click download; the first export of the day is free, with no signup and no watermark.
Choosing resolution and output format
| Setting | Choose it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 150 dpi | Forms, letters, most uploads | Smallest files, fine for normal text |
| 200 dpi (PRO) | Invoices, tables, small numbers | Sharper, moderately larger |
| 300 dpi (PRO) | Fine print, signatures, documents that will be printed | Sharpest, largest files |
| PDF output | You need a single document to upload or email | Pages stay together |
| JPG output | A portal wants images, or for chat apps | Small files; multi-page = ZIP of images |
| PNG output | You need lossless images | Largest image files |
Upload limits matter: many government and HR portals cap files at 2–10 MB. If your scanned PDF is too big, export at 150 dpi or split the document.
Converting several PDFs at once
With any pass or credit pack, PDF2Scan PRO converts up to 10 files in one batch and downloads them as a ZIP, or merges them into one scanned PDF that counts as a single export. PRO also keeps color (for stamps and signatures), adds a scanner edge shadow and lets you save presets so every file looks identical.
| Plan | Price | Exports |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 PDF per day, no signup |
| 1-Hour Pass | $1.99 one-time | Unlimited for 1 hour + PRO |
| 24-Hour Pass | $2.99 one-time | Unlimited for 24 hours + PRO |
| 100 Credits | $4.99 one-time | 100 exports, never expire + PRO |
No subscription. Prices in USD as of October 2026.
Privacy: why “no upload” matters here
The documents people convert are often contracts, IDs, bank letters and tax forms. Many online converters upload the file to a server and delete it after a while. PDF2Scan never receives the file: rendering and the scan effect run locally with PDF.js and jsPDF, and only an export counter is checked on our side.
Troubleshooting
- The text is blurry. Lower blur to 0.1 px or switch to the Subtle preset; export at 200–300 dpi.
- The file is too large. Export at 150 dpi, use JPG output, or reduce the number of pages.
- The PDF is password-protected. Remove the password in your PDF reader first (you need to know it).
- I need searchable text again. Run OCR on the scanned PDF in a tool such as Adobe Acrobat or OCRmyPDF, or keep the original digital file.