BASALT · JOURNAL
Rasterizing a PDF vs true redaction
Rasterization renders a PDF page into pixels and builds a new page from that image. Object-level redaction removes selected text, image regions, or paths while preserving the rest of the PDF. Both can produce safe output when implemented correctly, but the tradeoffs differ.
What rasterization eliminates
A correctly rendered and newly written image page no longer carries the original text objects, annotations, form fields, or vector paths from that page. If the redaction is burned into the rendered pixels and no source objects are copied, covered text cannot be extracted from the new page.
That makes rasterization a useful fallback for malformed PDFs, unsupported fonts, or page structures that cannot be rewritten safely.
What rasterization costs
The page loses native text selection, search, crisp vector scaling, form behavior, and much accessibility structure. Adding OCR restores search but creates a new invisible text layer that must exclude redacted regions. Resolution and compression choices can blur small type or greatly increase file size.
Rasterizing also does not automatically sanitize document-level metadata or attachments if the tool copies them into the new container.
When object-level redaction is preferable
For born-digital contracts, transcripts, and filings, object-level removal preserves exact surrounding text and compact file size. It should be paired with verification that the selected glyphs are gone and unmarked glyphs survived.
Use page-level rasterization as a deliberate exception, not an invisible shortcut. Record the page, resolution, color mode, and reason, then visually compare it with the source.
Frequently asked questions
Is printing to PDF the same as safe rasterization?
No. Many print paths preserve text or other vector objects, and document-level data may remain. Inspect the output rather than assuming.
Does rasterization remove OCR text?
Only if the new page contains pixels alone. If OCR is added afterward, verify that no redacted content entered the new text layer.
What resolution should I use?
Choose based on the smallest important detail and output purpose. Legal and archival workflows often use 300 DPI as a practical starting point, followed by visual QA.
Doing it in Basalt
Basalt uses object-level removal when it can prove preservation and offers a rasterize fallback for pages it cannot process losslessly. It removes OCR under marks, sanitizes the container, and verifies the final file independently. Download Basalt.
Redaction that proves itself
Basalt destroys the content you mark, then re-opens the file it wrote and proves the content is gone before it saves anything. Your documents never leave your Mac.