Watermark PDF
Stamp text or image watermarks across every page.
or click to browse — supports PDF files up to 100MB
How to use
- 1 Drop or click to upload your file
- 2 Adjust options if shown
- 3 Click Run Tool
- 4 Download your result instantly
- ✓ Files up to 1GB
- ✓ Unlimited jobs/hour
- ✓ Batch processing
- ✓ Priority support
Files are processed securely and permanently deleted within 1 hour. We never store, read, or share your documents.
Why this works
Stamp a text watermark or image overlay onto every page of a PDF \u2014 CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, your company logo, a copyright notice. Useful before sending early drafts or sample materials.
Watermarks serve two distinct jobs and Watermark covers both. Status watermarks (CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, COPY) tell the recipient how to treat the document \u2014 don\u2019t forward, don\u2019t cite as final, don\u2019t print for distribution. Branding watermarks (logo, copyright notice, source URL) help recipients identify where the document came from when it gets shared onward.
Text watermark mode renders your text diagonally across each page in semi-transparent grey by default. Opacity is configurable (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) \u2014 lower opacity is the right default for readability over the underlying content; higher opacity is appropriate when you want the watermark to dominate (e.g. very clearly marking a sample document so it can\u2019t be passed off as final).
Image watermark mode uploads a PNG or JPG (typically your company logo) and places it on each page. Transparency in the source image is preserved \u2014 a logo with a transparent background will composite cleanly onto white or coloured page backgrounds.
The watermark is added to every page by default. If you need a watermark only on some pages (e.g. the title page), watermark the whole document then use Extract to pull just the watermarked pages and Merge them back in.
Watermarks are composited into the page content, not added as separate annotations \u2014 a recipient can\u2019t simply right-click to remove the watermark in Adobe Reader. Removing the watermark from the output would require image-editing the page itself, which leaves traces.
Note: PDF watermarks are not a copyright-enforcement mechanism. They\u2019re a clear notice. If a document needs strong protection, combine the watermark with Protect (encryption).
Privacy note: watermarking runs entirely in your browser when you pick "Process in your browser" above the upload zone. pdf-lib draws the watermark text on each page locally; your file never leaves your device. Particularly relevant for watermarking with DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, or INTERNAL ONLY labels — exactly the contexts where uploading the file to a third-party server would partly undermine the watermark's purpose. Browser mode means the document is marked private without ever being transmitted.
How it works
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1Upload your PDFDrop the PDF you want to watermark into the upload box.
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2Pick text or imageText mode renders your phrase diagonally on every page. Image mode uploads a logo or sigil.
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3Set the text and opacityFor text: enter the phrase (CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, etc.). Pick the visibility \u2014 25% (subtle), 50% (default), 75% (strong), 100% (dominant).
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4Run and downloadPress Watermark. Output preserves the original page content with the watermark composited on top.
Real-world uses
Designers
Send draft mockups to clients with a DRAFT watermark so they\u2019re not mistaken for final approved artwork.
Lawyers
Mark every page of a draft brief with CONFIDENTIAL before circulating internally.
Consultants
Brand every page of a sample deliverable with your logo before sharing with prospects.
Publishers
Mark review-copy chapters as REVIEW COPY \u2014 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION before sending to early readers.
Common questions
Can I run this tool without my file leaving my device?
Yes — this is one of the tools that supports our in-browser privacy mode. Pick "Process in your browser" above the upload zone and the entire operation runs locally via pdf-lib. Open the Network tab in your browser's DevTools while running the tool: you will see zero outbound requests during processing. That is the verifiable basis for the claim that your file never leaves your device. Server mode remains available for very large files or features that need server-grade processing.
Can I watermark with my company logo?
Yes. Pick Image mode and upload a PNG or JPG of your logo. PNG with transparency is preferred \u2014 it composites cleanly over any page background colour.
What\u2019s the right opacity for a CONFIDENTIAL watermark?
50% is the default and works for almost everything \u2014 visible enough to read clearly, transparent enough not to obscure the underlying content. Bump to 75% if the document will be printed (paper subdues opacity slightly). Drop to 25% only when the watermark is decorative branding rather than a status notice.
Can a recipient remove the watermark?
Not in any reasonable PDF reader. The watermark is composited into the page content, not added as a separate movable annotation. Removing it would require image-editing of the page content, which leaves visible traces.
Can I watermark only specific pages?
Not in one step \u2014 the watermark applies to every page. Workaround: watermark the document, then use Extract to pull only the pages you wanted watermarked and Merge them with the un-watermarked rest.
Will the watermark appear on print?
Yes. Watermarks composite into the page content, so they print exactly as displayed on screen. This is intentional \u2014 a watermark that vanishes on print would defeat its purpose.
Can I combine watermark with password protection?
Yes. Watermark first, then run the output through Protect to add an open-password. Anyone who has the password sees the watermarked document; anyone without it can\u2019t open it at all.