You've got a document to send and you're deciding what format to save it in. PDFs aren't right for everything, but for a long list of everyday tasks they're easily the best choice. Here's where they shine.
Anything that needs to look exact
Contracts, invoices, certificates, CVs, posters — anything where the layout matters. PDFs lock fonts, margins and images in place, so a recipient sees what you saw. That's why a CV sent as a PDF arrives intact, while one sent as a Word file might land with broken bullet points and the wrong font.
Signing and legal paperwork
PDFs support electronic signatures, certificates and tamper-evident seals. You can sign a PDF yourself, or use Flint to request a signature from someone else. The result is legally recognised in most countries and far quicker than printing, signing and scanning back.
Sharing in big batches
Need to merge ten receipts into one expense claim? PDFs are made for this. Merge PDFs into a single file, reorder pages, or compress them so they slide through email size limits. It's tidier than firing off ten attachments.
FAQ
Should I save my CV as a PDF?
Yes — unless the job posting specifically asks for Word. PDFs preserve your layout and won't render differently on the recruiter's screen, which keeps your formatting choices intact.
Are PDFs good for archiving?
Excellent for it. There's even a dedicated PDF/A sub-format designed for long-term storage, which embeds everything needed to display the file decades from now.
Can I collaborate on a PDF?
You can annotate, comment and sign together, but PDFs aren't great for live co-editing the way Google Docs is. Use a collaborative tool first, then export to PDF for the final version.
Whenever a document needs to look right and stay right, PDF is the answer. Open one in Flint and you've got a full toolkit at hand.