❓ Whether you're applying for a rental, submitting a loan application, or sending documents to a notary, you'll need a clean, professional dossier. Here's how to build one from scratch using free tools — no software to install.
Scan your paper documents
Take photos of your paper documents (ID, pay slips, tax notices, bank statements) with your phone. Make sure the lighting is even and the text is sharp. Then open the Images to PDF tool, upload your photos, reorder them if needed, and convert them to a clean PDF.
Tip Take photos in portrait mode, place the document on a dark surface for better contrast, and avoid shadows from your hand or phone.
Merge everything into one file
You probably have several PDFs now: scanned documents, downloaded bank statements, utility bills. Open the PDF Merge tool, upload all your files, drag them into the right order, and merge them into a single dossier.
Remove unnecessary pages
Your merged PDF may contain blank pages, duplicates, or irrelevant pages. Open the PDF Page Delete tool, upload your dossier, select the pages to remove, and download the cleaned version.
Add page numbers
A numbered dossier looks professional and makes it easy for the recipient to reference specific pages. Open the PDF Page Numbers tool, upload your dossier, choose the position and format (e.g., "Page 1/12"), and download.
Good to know Many landlords and agencies specifically ask for numbered pages. It shows you take the process seriously and makes their review much faster.
Add a watermark
This is a crucial step many people skip. Adding a watermark like "Rental application — 12 Oak Street — Do not distribute" on every page discourages misuse if your dossier is leaked or shared without your consent. Open the PDF Watermark tool, type your text, adjust opacity and position, and apply.
Important Identity theft from leaked rental applications is a real problem. A watermark tied to a specific use makes your documents much harder to reuse fraudulently. Always watermark documents containing your ID, tax info, or bank details.
Compress for email
A dossier with scanned images can easily exceed 25 MB — too large for most email providers. Open the PDF Compress tool, upload your dossier, and reduce the file size while keeping text readable. Most dossiers compress well to under 5 MB.
Protect with a password
Before sending your dossier by email, add a password to prevent unauthorized access. Open the PDF Password tool, set a strong password, and protect your file. Share the password separately (by phone or text message — never in the same email).
Tip Use our Password Generator to create a strong password for your dossier, then share it via a different channel than the email.
Checklist
Before sending, make sure your dossier:
- ✅ Contains all required documents in the right order
- ✅ Has no blank or duplicate pages
- ✅ Is numbered (Page X/Y)
- ✅ Has a watermark identifying its purpose
- ✅ Is under 10 MB (ideally under 5 MB)
- ✅ Is password-protected
- ✅ The password will be shared via a separate channel