Watermark PDF

Say what a document is for

A watermark is a label that travels with the file. DRAFT stops a work in progress being mistaken for a final version, CONFIDENTIAL sets expectations before anyone reads further, and a company logo makes a proposal or a proof clearly yours.

This tool stamps text in a bold sans serif, or an image such as a transparent PNG logo, onto the pages you choose. Position, rotation, size, color and opacity are all adjustable, and a live preview shows how the placement will look before you apply it.

How to watermark a PDF

1. 1

   Step 1: Add your PDF

   Drop one file, up to 200 MB.

2. 2

   Step 2: Choose text or image

   Type your text, such as CONFIDENTIAL, or upload a logo. PNG keeps transparency; other formats are converted to PNG automatically.

3. 3

   Step 3: Style and position it

   Set size, color, rotation and opacity, and choose center or one of the four corners.

4. 4

   Step 4: Pick the pages and apply

   All pages, odd pages or even pages. Check the preview, apply, then download.

Watermark settings

When to watermark

• Drafts for review. Make it obvious that a version is not final.

• Confidential documents. Label material that should not be forwarded.

• Client proofs. Brand previews of designs, photos or reports before payment.

• Copies and samples. Mark specimen forms, sample reports and training material.

Choosing a look that stays readable

For a classic diagonal stamp, keep the center position with a 45 degree rotation and an opacity around 20 to 35 percent. That is visible on every page without swallowing the text beneath it. For branding, a corner at 60 to 80 percent opacity with no rotation reads more like a label than a stamp.

Gray or a light brand color usually sits better on text pages than pure black. If the text is long, reduce the font size: the watermark is drawn on one line, so a long phrase at a large size can run past the edges of the page.

• Diagonal stamp: center, 45 degrees, 20 to 35 percent opacity.
• Corner branding: bottom right, no rotation, 60 to 80 percent.
• Short words work best: DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE.

Logo watermarks and page selection

An uploaded image is placed at a fixed scale relative to its own pixel size, so resize the logo file itself if you need it noticeably bigger or smaller. A PNG with a transparent background looks far better than a logo on a white rectangle, which hides the page behind it.

Odd and even page selection counts pages in the document, not the numbers printed on them. It is designed for documents that will be printed double-sided, where only the front or the back of each sheet needs the mark.

Tips for watermarking

• Apply the watermark last, after merging, signing and any other edits.
• Keep an unmarked master copy of the document.
• Check one page at 100 percent zoom to make sure the body text is still comfortable to read.
• A watermark labels a document; it does not prevent copying, and anyone with a PDF editor can remove it.

PDF watermark FAQ