Watermark PDF
Stamp a line of text across every page of a PDF, such as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or a name. Choose how strong it is and whether it runs corner to corner.
How the files you choose are handled is set out in the privacy policy.
How to watermark a PDF
- Tap Choose a PDF.
- Type the text. Short is better: one to three words.
- Choose the direction, the strength and the colour.
- Press Add watermark, then Save PDF.
Choosing the settings
| Setting | Options | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Corner to corner, or straight across | Corner to corner is the classic stamp and crosses the most text, which makes it hardest to crop out |
| Strength | Faint, medium or strong | Faint for documents that must stay easy to read. Strong when the mark is the message, as with VOID |
| Colour | Grey, red or blue | Grey is neutral and prints well in black and white. Red reads as a warning |
The text is sized automatically to span the page, so a short word comes out large and a longer phrase smaller. On a file with mixed page sizes or sideways pages, each page gets a mark fitted to it, the right way up.
Words people stamp
- DRAFT on a version that is not final, so nobody acts on it.
- CONFIDENTIAL on material that should not be passed on.
- COPY or SAMPLE on something that must not be mistaken for the original.
- VOID or PAID on a cheque image or an invoice.
- A name or company on a portfolio, a quotation or a proof sent for approval.
- The recipient's name, so a leaked copy can be traced to who received it.
What a watermark does and does not do
A watermark is a visible notice. It tells every reader the status of the document and discourages casual reuse. It is drawn over the page content with see-through ink, so the text underneath stays readable, selectable and searchable.
It is not a lock. Someone with PDF editing software can remove a watermark that sits as text on top of a page. For material that truly must not be copied, a watermark is one layer of protection and not the whole of it.
Limits
- The text can use Latin letters, numbers and common punctuation. Other scripts are not supported, and the tool tells you if a character cannot be used.
- Text only. A logo or picture cannot be used as the mark.
- The same mark goes on every page.
- The mark becomes part of each page. Keep your original, which is not changed.
To add page numbers as well, use add page numbers to PDF. To make filled-in form values permanent before sending, see flatten PDF.
Questions
How do I add a DRAFT watermark to a PDF?
Choose the PDF, leave the text as DRAFT, pick the strength and press Add watermark.
Can I use a picture or logo as a watermark?
No. This tool stamps text only.
Will the watermark hide my text?
No. It is see-through. At Faint or Medium the text underneath stays easy to read.
Can a watermark be removed?
Not from the stamped file with this site. Someone with PDF editing software could remove it, so do not rely on it as protection.
Can I watermark only some pages?
Not directly. Split the file, watermark the part you want, then merge the parts again.