To create a new Adobe Action to batch prevent printing in an Adobe PDF follow the instructions below. If you would prefer to import the Action into Adobe Acrobat, use the file attached and follow the instructions in the article DO - Adobe Acrobat - Import Actions.


  1. Choose “Tools” > “Action Wizard” 
  2. Click “New Action” to open the “Create New Action Wizard” box. 
  3. In the left column, expand “Protection” 
  4. Click “Encrypt” from the left column and (if it isn’t automatically added to the right column) click the plus/arrow button between the two columns to add it to the Action Steps in the right column. If you accidentally add two Actions, highlight one and click the trash icon to remove one. 
  5. In the right column, highlight “Encrypt”. If “Prompt User” appears, uncheck the box. Then click “Specify Settings”. 
  6. In the “Security Method” dropdown, select “Password Security”. A settings box will open. 
  7. Check “Restrict editing and Printing of the document…” 
  8. Set “Printing Allowed” and “Changes Allowed” to “None” 
  9. In “Change Permissions Password”, add the password: 1p2p3h$$0P9P8H 
  10. Click “OK” to save the settings. 
  11. If a prompt appears about Permissions Password enforcement, click “OK”. 
  12. A prompt will open asking you to confirm the Permissions Password. Re-enter the password and click “OK”. 
  13. Click “Close” to close the “Document Security” box. 
  14. In the left column, minimize “Protection” and expand “Save & Export” 
  15. Click “Save” from the left column and (if it isn’t automatically added to the right column) click the plus/arrow button between the two columns to add it to the Action Steps in the right column. If you accidentally add two Actions, highlight one and click the trash icon to remove one. 
  16. In the right column, highlight “Save”. If “Prompt User” appears, uncheck the box. Then click “Specify Settings”. 
  17. Under “File Name”, check “Keep Original File Names” 
  18. In “Output Format”, check “Save File(s) As Adobe PDF” 
  19. Click “OK” to close the “Output Options” box. 
  20. Click “Save” at the bottom to save the new Action. 
  21. Give the Action a name and description: 
    1. Action Name: “Prevent Printing Security”. 
    2. Action Description: “Adds password protection to the document to prevent a user from being able to print the document without a password.” 
  22. Click “Save” to finish creating the Action. You should see the new Action in your Actions List.