Layered PDF in. Illustrator-ready files out.

Open layered PDFs in Illustrator without rebuilding them by hand.

Preview every detected layer for free, then continue only if the result works for your job.

Only upload files you own or have permission to use.
client-job-04.pdf PREVIEW · FREE
info
print
cut
clear
spot
5 layers detected · page 1 of 1
Spot colorspot
Clear coatclear
Cut linecut
Print baseprint
Info / notesinfo
Ready to package5 layers detected GO TO
ANALYSES
Built for real prepress jobs Prepress operators Sign makers & large format Screen & garment printers Corel→Adobe handoffs
The Illustrator gap, closed

Illustrator opens the PDF - but the layers are gone.

Many print PDFs contain OCG (optional-content) layers for spot colors, varnish, cut lines, print and job notes. Illustrator can open the PDF without showing that structure, leaving you with one visible layer. PDFLayerExtract reveals what is actually inside before you decide whether to separate it.

Rebuilding by hand wastes time. The free preview shows whether the PDF contains useful layers before you commit to the job.
Layer visibility is not a working file. PDFLayerExtract turns the detected structure into separate, clearly named files for your workflow.
Your prepress tools need a bridge. Move from a layered print PDF to an Illustrator-ready package without rebuilding the job from scratch.
In Illustrator today
client-print-job.pdf - 1 visible layer in Illustrator
With PDFLayerExtract
spot-color.pdf
clear-coat.pdf
cut-line.pdf
print-base.pdf
info-notes.pdf
The proof is the process

Inspect first. Commit second. Download third.

You check what's actually in the file before you spend a cent. The preview is the whole point - it tells you whether separation is worth it, before payment.

Free 01

Upload the PDF

Upload the layered PDF for your print job. The preview is free, and nothing is charged at this stage.

Free 02

Inspect the layers

See pages, output count and every detected layer grouped by type - spot, clear, cut, print, info - with visibility toggles.

03

Confirm the price

The package price appears after analysis, sized to what's actually in the file. No subscription, no surprise.

04

Download the ZIP

Checkout delivers separated layer files plus an Illustrator import script - ready to run.

A production problem, not a casual one

For prepress professionals who need a fast answer.

What is actually inside this PDF - and is it worth separating? The free preview shows the layer structure before you commit time or money.

The Illustrator gap, closed

Illustrator often opens a layered PDF without showing its optional-content layers. PDFLayerExtract identifies that structure and prepares clearly named files for your Illustrator workflow.

No rebuild, no dead end

Manual reconstruction is slow and you don't know if it'll pay off until you're hours in. The preview tells you before you start.

Pay per file, not per month

No plugin to install, no annual seat to justify. Upload, see the price for that one job, and pay only when the preview confirms it's worth it.

What you receive

One ZIP, ready for Illustrator.

Separated layer files plus a JavaScript import script that runs through File > Scripts in Illustrator. Not a claim of perfect source-file reconstruction - clean, named, production-ready layers you can place and work.

client-job-04_layers.zip
spot-color.pdf214 KB
clear-coat.pdf186 KB
cut-line.pdf42 KB
print-base.pdf512 KB
info-notes.pdf38 KB
import-to-illustrator.jsx6 KB
Pricing

Upload first. Your price appears after analysis.

No subscription, no seat to justify. You pay once, for the job in front of you, and only after the free preview confirms it's worth separating.

One-time package prices: Small $5 · Medium $12 · Large $24 · Extra Large $39. Your exact tier is confirmed after the free analysis.

The preview is free
Inspecting the file and seeing its detected layers costs nothing. You only pay to download the separated package.
Sized to the file
The free analysis selects the correct package before checkout, based on the size and structure of the PDF.
Per file, not per month
Pay once for the file you're working on. Nothing recurring, nothing to cancel later.

Very large files go to manual review before checkout, so you're never quoted a price the file can't support.

FAQ

The questions that come before payment.

No. You upload the PDF first, inspect the detected layer preview for free, and only continue if the result looks right.

Many PDFs store their structure as OCG (optional-content) layers. Illustrator flattens them on open, so the separation is lost. PDFLayerExtract reads those layers and writes them back out as separate files.

A ZIP package containing the separated layer files and an Illustrator import script (.jsx) you run through File > Scripts.

No. The product delivers Illustrator-ready separated layer files plus the import script - not a claim of perfect source-file reconstruction.

When detected, the preview can show spot, clear, cut, print and info layers. Output depends on the structure of the uploaded PDF - which is exactly why the preview comes before payment.

Temporary download access is available for 24 hours after purchase.

See the layers before you pay

Check the file. Then decide.

Upload a PDF and see exactly what's inside, grouped by layer type, with the price for that one job.

Upload your PDF