Protect Your Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) Resources: Flattening & Securing Made Easy

Do you know the difference between flattening and securing your Teachers Pay Teachers files?

If you’ve ever wondered why it matters—or felt confused by the terms of use for clipart and fonts—you’re not alone. In this episode, Lindsay breaks down exactly what flattening and securing mean, why they’re important, and how to easily do both in PowerPoint, Canva, and Google Slides. You’ll walk away knowing how to protect your resources, follow TPT rules, and confidently upload your files the right way.

Key Discussion Points:

[0:41 ] Why Flattening & Securing Matters: Protecting your work, following clipart/font terms of use, and keeping your resources safe.

[2:00 ] Flattening vs. Saving as a PDF: The difference between these two methods and why a simple PDF isn’t enough.

[3:16 ] How to Flatten in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Canva: Step-by-step options, plus why Flat Pack is a game-changer for PowerPoint users.

[4:53 ] What “Secure” Really Means: Adding a password for an extra layer of protection and when sellers should use it.

[6:15 ] Tools for Securing PDFs: Flat Pack, Adobe Pro, and free/low-cost alternatives for Canva and Google Slides.

[7:48 ] Sharing Editable Google Slides & Canva Files Safely: How to use forced copy links and view-only settings to prevent buyers from editing your originals.

[9:36 ] Best File Types to Upload on TPT: Why PDFs are the default—and when to use editable PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva links.

[10:50 ] Troubleshooting & Pro Tips: How to handle glitches, work with clipart/font creators, and keep backups of your originals.

[12:06 ] Final Thoughts: Once you understand flattening and securing, the process becomes simple—and helps you sell with confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

• Flat Pack – PowerPoint add-on by Bearwood Labs (available on Teachers Pay Teachers, with versions for Microsoft + Mac)
• Adobe Acrobat Pro – for password protection and other business uses like contracts

Connect with Lindsay:

• Instagram: @lindsaybowden
• YouTube: Lindsay Bowden YouTube Channel
• Website: www.lindsaybowden.com