Add review marks without changing the original file
PDF Annotator opens a working copy of your PDF and lets you place text, highlights, freehand strokes, rectangles, circles, arrows and other visual notes on its pages. The downloaded result is a separate PDF, so the untouched source can remain your record of what was originally received.
Choose annotation when the goal is feedback, markup or explanation. If wording inside the document itself must change, use the editor's Edit Text mode carefully and compare the result with the source.
Match each annotation to its purpose
Use highlighting for a passage that still needs attention, a text note for an explanation, and an arrow or shape when the comment refers to a visual area. Keep colours consistent across a review so recipients can distinguish questions, required changes and approvals. Freehand drawing works best for a short mark or signature-like pointer, not a paragraph of feedback.
Avoid covering information that readers still need. A black rectangle is only a visual annotation and is not secure redaction. Use Redact PDF when sensitive text or imagery must be removed permanently.
Preview every page before saving
Annotations can overlap page text, fall outside a crop boundary or become hard to read against coloured artwork. Use the result preview, inspect pages at a normal reading zoom and check the smallest note. Confirm that marks appear on the intended pages and that no accidental drawing remains.
For a formal review, include a date or reviewer identifier in a visible note and keep the original beside the annotated copy. Use Compare PDF when you need a separate change report between document versions.
Share the correct output copy
Download the annotated result and reopen it in another PDF viewer before distribution. If comments must become a permanent, non-editable part of each page, use Flatten PDF on the approved annotated copy. If several reviewers need to work independently, give each output a distinct filename rather than overwriting one shared source.
Annotations communicate review intent, but they do not prove approval or signer identity. Use eSign PDF when the workflow requires an electronic signature.
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