Redact Scanned PDFs and Image-Based Documents with OCR
Scanned documents and photocopied files contain sensitive data that regular text-based tools simply cannot see. Our OCR redaction engine converts images to machine-readable text, identifies personally identifiable information, and burns permanent redactions into the output — all without manual transcription.
Capabilities
OCR Redaction Capabilities
From faded fax copies to high-resolution scans, our OCR pipeline handles the full spectrum of image-based documents.
Scanned PDF Support
Upload PDFs that contain scanned images instead of selectable text. Our OCR engine detects image-only pages automatically and converts them to searchable text before running AI redaction — no preprocessing on your end required.
Image Text Extraction
Extract text from embedded images within PDFs, including photographs of documents, screenshots, and scanned receipts. The engine handles varying image quality, from crisp 600 DPI scans down to lower-resolution captures taken with a smartphone camera.
Handwriting Recognition
Detect and extract handwritten text in forms, annotations, and signed documents. While printed text achieves the highest accuracy, our handwriting models can identify common handwritten fields such as names, dates, and signatures for redaction.
Multi-Format Input
Process scanned documents regardless of how they were digitized. Whether your file is a single-page TIFF embedded in a PDF, a multi-page scanned contract, or a document with mixed digital and scanned pages, the OCR pipeline adapts automatically.
High Character Accuracy
Our OCR engine achieves 98%+ character-level accuracy on standard printed documents scanned at 200 DPI or higher. Advanced image preprocessing — including deskewing, noise reduction, and contrast enhancement — runs automatically to maximize extraction quality.
Batch OCR Processing
Process multiple scanned documents in a single session with our Pro tier. Upload an entire folder of scanned contracts or medical records, and the OCR engine processes them sequentially with consistent redaction rules applied across every file.
Process
How OCR Redaction Works
Upload Your Scanned Document
Drag and drop your scanned PDF into the tool. The system automatically detects whether pages contain selectable text or embedded images. No need to pre-convert or run external OCR software before uploading.
OCR Extracts Embedded Text
Each image-based page passes through our OCR pipeline, which applies image preprocessing (deskew, denoise, contrast adjustment) and then extracts text with positional data. The engine maps every word to its exact location on the page.
AI Detects Sensitive Information
The extracted text is analyzed by our AI redaction engine, which identifies names, addresses, social security numbers, financial data, and other PII. Because the OCR preserves word positions, redaction boxes are placed precisely over the original text in the scanned image.
Download Your Redacted Document
Redaction regions are permanently applied to the scanned image layer. The underlying pixel data is replaced — not just covered — ensuring that the redacted information cannot be recovered even by examining the raw image data. Download your clean, redacted PDF.
Comparison
OCR Redaction vs. Traditional Approaches
| Feature | Feature | AI-Redact OCR | Manual OCR + Redact | Print & Physically Redact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handles scanned PDFs natively | Requires separate OCR tool | |||
| Processing time per page | 3–5 seconds | 5–10 minutes | 2–3 minutes | |
| Automatic PII detection | ||||
| Preserves document quality | Quality loss from scanning | |||
| Permanent redaction | Depends on tool | |||
| Handles handwritten text | Depends on OCR tool | |||
| Batch processing | ||||
| Audit trail |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About OCR Redaction
Scanned Documents Deserve Smart Redaction Too
Upload your scanned PDF and let our OCR engine handle the heavy lifting. Text extraction, PII detection, and permanent redaction — all in one seamless step.