Your report has a cover page and a contents page. The actual content starts on page 3. You want page numbers — but page 3 should be labelled '1', page 4 should be '2', and so on. The cover and contents shouldn't show a page number.
Flint's edit tool handles offset page numbering.
Set the numbering range
Open edit PDF, choose 'add page numbers'. Set the range to 'pages 3 to end'. Set the starting number to '1'. Pick a position (typically bottom centre or bottom right). Flint stamps '1' on page 3, '2' on page 4, and so on. Cover and contents stay un-numbered.
Format options
Numbers can be plain ('1, 2, 3'), with 'Page' prefix ('Page 1, Page 2'), with total ('1 of 50'), Roman ('i, ii, iii'), or any other format. Pick what matches your document's style. Pre-content pages (cover, contents) often get Roman numerals if they're numbered at all.
Apply Roman numerals to front matter
Sometimes you want 'i, ii, iii' for cover and contents, then '1, 2, 3' for body. Two numbering operations: number pages 1-2 with Roman, number pages 3-end with Arabic. Result: 'i, ii, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...' — standard book pagination.
Page labels vs typed numbers
Typed numbers are part of the page content (stamps). Page labels are PDF metadata showing in the page indicator. Both can be set. Stamps appear when printed; labels appear in PDF readers' page navigation. Set both for full effect.
FAQ
Can I add page X of Y format?
Yes. Format string '{n} of {total}' gives '1 of 50', '2 of 50', etc.
What about chapter-based numbering ('1-1, 1-2, 2-1')?
Custom format with chapter prefixes. Set chapter ranges manually.
Will numbering interfere with existing content?
Stamps add a label at the position you set. If there's content there, you'll need to choose a different position.
Can I remove the numbers later?
Yes — edit PDF allows removing added annotations including page number stamps.
Set range, set offset, save. Number pages from 3.