Convert an Editable PDF to an Image-Only PDF Using PDF.co and Zapier

Step 1: Set Up the Google Drive Trigger

Create a Zap and select Google Drive with the New File in Folder trigger.

Connect your Google account, select the drive and source folder, then test the trigger to retrieve your sample PDF.

Step 2: Connect PDF.co

Add PDF.co and select Custom API Call.

Select an existing PDF.co connection or connect a new account. Sign in to PDF.co and authorize Zapier through OAuth.

Step 3: Configure the Conversion

Set the action’s fields as follows:

• PDF.co API Endpoint: Select or enter /v1/pdf/makeunsearchable.
• URL Input Parameter Override: Map the File property from the Google Drive trigger.
• Input JSON: Enter the following:

{
  "name": "image-only.pdf",
  "pages": "",
  "async": false
}

Leaving pages empty processes every page. The mapped File property supplies the source PDF, so a separate url value is not needed in the JSON.

See the Custom API Call documentation and Make Text Unsearchable API reference.

Step 4: Test the Conversion

Test the PDF.co action and open the returned PDF URL.

Confirm that all pages are present and their appearance is acceptable. In a PDF viewer without automatic OCR, the original text should no longer be selectable.

Step 5: Save the Converted PDF

Add Google Drive’s Upload File action and configure:

• Folder: Select your converted-files folder.
• File: Map the PDF URL returned by PDF.co.
• File Name: Enter image-only.pdf or use a unique filename.
• Convert to Document: Select No.

Use a different folder from the trigger folder to prevent repeated processing.

Test the upload, check the saved PDF, and publish the Zap. New PDFs added to the source folder will be converted and saved automatically.