How to Remove “Author Name” from PDF Before Sending to Clients

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There is nothing more embarrassing in business than sending a polished proposal to a new client, only for them to check the “Properties” and see that it was created by:

  • “TemplateMonster User” (Makes you look cheap)
  • “Your Competitor’s Name” (Makes you look lazy)
  • “John Doe” (An employee who was fired 2 years ago)

PDFs carry a permanent record of who created them and what software was used. If you care about client confidentiality and your professional image, you must sanitize your documents before hitting “Send.”

Here is how to remove the Author Name and hidden metadata from any PDF instantly.

Drop Files Here to Clean

Supports JPG, JPEG, and PDF

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100% Private. Files are processed offline.

Why the “Author” Field Matters (The Business Risk)

When you create a PDF from Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign, the software automatically stamps the “Registered User’s Name” into the metadata. It captures:

  1. Author: The name of the person who created the original file.
  2. Producer: The software used (e.g., “Microsoft Word for Office 365”).
  3. Creation Date: When the draft started (revealing if you recycled an old pitch).

The Scenario: You reuse a contract from a previous client, change the text, and save it. The metadata still shows the original creation date and author. A smart client can see this and realize they are getting a recycled template.

Method 1: The “Client-Safe” Way (Recommended)

Most online PDF tools require you to upload your sensitive contracts to a cloud server to “clean” them. For legal and corporate documents, this is a security violation. You should never upload an NDA or financial report to a public server.

Use our Offline PDF Scrubber instead.

  1. Go to our Tool (Click Here).
  2. Drag and drop your PDF.
  3. Our script runs inside your browser. It locates the Author, Creator, and Title fields and wipes them blank.
  4. Download your professional, sanitized file.

Because the file never leaves your computer, you maintain 100% client confidentiality.

Method 2: The Adobe Acrobat Pro Way (Expensive)

If you already pay for the full Adobe Acrobat Pro DC subscription ($20https://www.google.com/search?q=/month), you can do this natively.

  1. Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro.
  2. Go to Tools > Redact.
  3. Click Sanitize Document (this removes metadata).
  4. Save as a new file.

Note: The free “Adobe Reader” cannot do this. You need the paid “Pro” version.

Method 3: Cleaning the Source File (Wordhttps://www.google.com/search?q=/Docs)

If you haven’t exported the PDF yet, you can clean the source.

  1. In Microsoft Word: Go to File > Info.
  2. Click Check for Issues > Inspect Document.
  3. Check “Document Properties and Personal Information”.
  4. Click Remove All.
  5. Now save as PDF.

Warning: If you forget this step once, the metadata is baked in. Method 1 is safer as a final check.

Corporate Security: Beyond the PDF

Cleaning your document properties is just one layer of professional security. If you handle sensitive client data, you need to secure your transmission and your digital identity.

Secure Your File Transfer

Sending a clean PDF over unsecured public Wi-Fi (like at a coffee shop or airport) exposes the file contents to hackers. Recommendation: Always use a VPN when sending client files remotely. [NordVPN] encrypts your entire connection, ensuring that your confidential emails stay confidential.

Protect Your Professional Identity

As a freelancer or business owner, your personal reputation is everything. If a client Googles your name, do they find your home address and family photos on “Data Broker” sites? Recommendation: Project a professional image by removing your personal life from the public web. [Incogni] (available in UShttps://www.google.com/search?q=/EU) automates the process of removing your personal profiles from databases, keeping your business persona distinct from your private life.

Summary Checklist for Freelancers

Before you email that invoice or contract:

  1. Check: Open Properties (Ctrl+D) to see what is listed.
  2. Scrub: Drop it in CleanMetadata.net to wipe the Author name.
  3. Encrypt: Ensure your VPN is ON if working remotely.
  4. Send: Deliver the file with confidence.

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