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How to Add Links to a PDF

how to add links to a pdf

So, you made a document and you’re ready for it to be uploaded to Teachers Pay Teachers. But wait! There’s more! No, this isn’t an informercial. It’s just another tech tip 🙂 If you’ve ever downloaded anything on TpT, you may have noticed something most resources have in common. Terms of Use pages. Or maybe you’re wonderig how to add links to a PDF. If you’re creating your own resources, read on!

A Terms of Use page(s) serves 2 purposes really. It thanks your buyers and gives them info on you and what you will or won’t allow them to do with your resource (for instance, upload to their class website or share in the copyroom with their friends), as well as credits the clipartist/font designers for their hard work in making your resource look as fabulous as it does. Some people use 1 page for info on them and their Terms, and another for the graphic designer credits, while others put it all on 1 page. It really doesn’t matter, as long as it’s appealing and has the info you want your buyers to see. Here is how I set mine up.

The first step is to create your page. If you haven’t already started using Powerpoint, DO IT NOW. Most sellers include a thank you, some terms of use and ways you can follow them on social media and email address. As you can see, I created a landscape and portrait version. That way, I can easily use them for the orientation I am working with. You’ll want to make sure you detail what is/isn’t allowed the best you can. Make it as clear as you can and in plain language so there’s less room for misunderstandings. As you can see on the page below, I don’t credit clipartists (I draw all of my own graphics). If you use any clipart from other artists, you can add their clipart logos to your own page.

Once you’ve created your document, you need to save it as a PDF to use as a template for all of your future resources. In PowerPoint, go to “File—->Save As.” From the bottom drop down menu, select “PDF” as your file type.

Name it. Remember where you’re saving it. I prefer to save everything to my desktop so I can find it there later. I have a pretty clean desktop though, so use what works for you.

Now, you have a PDF of your credit page! Here’s the tricky part. If you don’t have ADOBE Pro, I’m not sure how you’re going to follow the rest of this tutorial. And truthfully, if you’re creating freebies or paid products using clipart, simply using a PDF is NOT securing your work, or the clipart. So, to protect yourself and the clipart you purchased from being copied and pasted elsewhere, I recommend you make the investment NOW rather than later.

You can find the one-time download of Adobe Acrobat Pro here.

Open up your PDF. On the right side, you’ll see the TOOLS tab. Click it. A sidebar menu will open up. Now click “Content Editing” and “Add or Edit Link.”

Now, drag your mouse around an area to mark the spot you want your buyers to be able to click on to go to the link. Here I’ve selected the area around the image of my shopping cart to direct people to my store. Make your settings like this:

Now a window will open that allows you to add your own link to the PDF. Add the link that you want people to be able to go to. You can create as many of these as you need. For instance, a link to your own store, links to the clipart/font stores you are crediting–check their Terms of Use to see if it’s required–most require a credit logo like I do for my clipart, but not all require a link back). You can use this same process to create links for all of your social media as well. You can also add a page with links to related products, especially if it’s a free sample that is part of a bigger product.

After you’re all done adding any links you want for your PDF, go to File—> Save.

Now, you can just “pop” your Terms of Use/Credit/ page into any resource you create from now on. Open the “Page Thumbnails” viewer on the left side. DRAG your file into the other sidebar where your resource is and you’re set. It already includes the links so you don’t have to add them EVER AGAIN! Hooray!!! High five for saving time and working smarter, not harder! You can find more TpT seller tips here.

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12 Comments

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  2. December 25, 2015 / 9:38 pm

    Thank you! I just bought Adobe Pro and was having a terrible time figuring out how to add my links to my PDF and save myself time. This was super helpful!

  3. February 22, 2016 / 1:54 am

    Excellent resource. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. 🙂

  4. February 22, 2016 / 1:54 am

    Excellent resource. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. 🙂

  5. June 23, 2017 / 3:52 pm

    I really appreciate all of these tutorials! Thank you!

  6. November 23, 2017 / 6:43 pm

    I read so many different tutorials and yours was the one that helped me reach my goal. THANK YOU for taking the time to share these tips. It's much appreciated!!

  7. Krista Hunsanger
    December 3, 2018 / 6:21 pm

    Hi! Your tutorials are wonderful! I am working on adding links to my credits page, flattening, and securing my documents. I’m thinking about the order I would do these steps…Would you flatten first, add hyperlinks, and then secure? I’d love to have my TOU page always ready to go (with links) so I’m assuming that those pages won’t be able to be flattened due to the links? I first added my credits page to my PDF in Adobe, then flattened and secured the document but then the links didn’t work. Thanks!!

    • Jen
      Author
      December 3, 2018 / 7:00 pm

      Hi Krista! Flatten first, then add the links, then secure.

  8. Caroline Munds
    June 29, 2019 / 10:12 am

    Thank you for all of your Adobe tutorials! I have learned some much!

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