Add a watermark to a PDF

Stamp text across every page, with control over angle and opacity.

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About this tool

A watermark says something about the document that the document itself does not: that it is a draft, that it should not be circulated, that a copy came from you. It is a signal to a reader rather than a security control.

Getting it right is a balance. Too faint and nobody registers it; too strong and the document becomes hard to read. Around twenty percent opacity at forty-five degrees is the usual sweet spot, and you can change it here and check the result.

How to watermark

  1. Add your PDF.
  2. Type the watermark text, such as DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL.
  3. Set position, angle, opacity, size and colour.
  4. Select Add watermark to apply it to every page.

Common questions

Can someone remove the watermark?

Yes. It is drawn onto the page and anyone with a proper PDF editor can take it off. Treat it as a label, not protection.

What opacity works best?

Around twenty percent — visible on every page without competing with the text underneath. Go higher only if the document is dense and the mark is getting lost.

Can I use an image or logo?

Not yet — text only for now. An image watermark is on the list.

Does it go on every page?

Yes, every page gets the same mark in the same place.

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