# OCR PDF for contractors

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/for/contractors/ocr-pdf_

Arthize lets construction and trades teams OCR a scanned PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert.

## Why contractors OCR a scanned PDF

A contractor merges a bid, permit and change order into one project file, signs a document from their phone on site, and compresses a photo-heavy progress report to email the client.

**Built for bids.** Whether it's bids, permits, change orders, Arthize's ocr pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Bids and client contracts are commercially sensitive; a private workspace keeps them secure.

## What matters when you OCR a scanned PDF

OCR adds an invisible, selectable text layer over the scanned image.

Without OCR, a scanned PDF is just a picture and can't be searched.

Running OCR first is what makes a scan convert cleanly to Word or Excel.

## How to OCR a scanned PDF

1. **Open the OCR tool** — Sign in and open the OCR tool.
2. **Add your scan** — Upload the scanned or image-only PDF.
3. **Run OCR** — Arthize recognises the text and adds it as an invisible, selectable layer.
4. **Download** — Get a searchable PDF whose text you can copy and convert.

## FAQ

### How do contractors OCR a scanned PDF for free?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why construction and trades teams can use it for bids without a confidentiality risk.

### Is it private to OCR a scanned PDF sensitive bids?

Yes. Bids and client contracts are commercially sensitive; a private workspace keeps them secure. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.

### How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### What is OCR and why does my scan need it?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.