ScaleEdges gives you three tools to stop your files from spreading after a sale: a download limit for each buyer and each file, a stamp that prints the buyer's email on every PDF page, and a country lock for purchases and downloads.
None of them makes copying impossible. Together, they make casual sharing much less attractive.
Where your files are protected
Protection applies to the files you add to the Content tab of a product, the buyer-only pages delivered after purchase. Files in the public product description are not covered.
Download links only work for someone who bought the product. A visitor who receives a copied link must sign in to your store with the email used for the purchase before the download starts.
Set download limits
Download limits are on by default. Every new file allows 4 downloads per buyer.
To change the default:
- Open Settings → Delivery & trust.
- In Reviews, downloads & protection, make sure Apply download limits is enabled.
- Select Change and enter the number of Downloads per buyer and per file, between 1 and 100,000.
- Under Apply the new limit to, choose one of:
- New product files only: existing files keep their current limit;
- Selected files: pick the existing files to update;
- All existing product files: replaces every file limit.
- Save your settings.
Extra downloads you already granted to specific customers are kept, even when you replace every limit.
If you turn Apply download limits off, downloads are still counted but never refused.
Set a different limit for one file
- Open the product and go to the Content tab.
- Open Advanced options — Download limits below the editor.
- Each downloadable file is listed with its size. Change Downloads per buyer for that file.
- Publish the update.
In the same list, Show the review popup after this file is downloaded controls whether downloading that file invites the buyer to leave a review.
Give a customer more downloads
When a buyer reaches the limit, they see Download limit reached and are asked to contact you. To give them more:
- Open Sales and find the order.
- Select Manage on that order.
- The Usage by file table shows the downloads Used, Available and Extra granted for each file.
- Enter a number in Add downloads and select Add.
Extra downloads apply only to that customer and that file.
Stamp PDFs with the buyer's email
With PDF stamping, every page of a PDF is downloaded with the buyer's email printed in small grey text in the top-right corner. A leaked copy then shows who it came from.
- Open Settings → Delivery & trust.
- Enable Protect PDF files with the buyer's email.
- Save your settings.
The stamp is added at download time, so it applies to your existing products as well. Your original file is never modified, and you see the unstamped file when you download it yourself.
Some PDFs are delivered without a stamp: very large files, and PDFs that cannot be read or modified, such as some encrypted files. To check the result, place a test order with another email address and download the file as that buyer.
Block purchases and downloads by country
If your content must not be sold in some countries, open Settings → Storefront and enable Lock store or products to some countries. Choose the countries, then what is blocked there:
- The whole store: store pages, checkout, customer pages and downloads are unavailable;
- Purchases and downloads only: visitors can browse, but checkout and protected downloads are refused.
Your own signed-in seller account always keeps access.
Good practices
- Keep the limit high enough for buyers who use several devices. Four to ten downloads suits most products.
- Say in your product description that files are for personal use and are stamped. A visible notice discourages sharing better than a hidden one.
- Combine protection with a clear refund policy: a fully refunded order no longer gives access to the files.
