Add Watermark to PDF

Stamp every page of your PDF with custom text. Set the colour, size, opacity, angle and position. Free, no sign-up, runs entirely in your browser.

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How to add a watermark to a PDF

Adding a watermark to a PDF is a simple way to label a document with its status, ownership, or intended use. Whether you need to mark a file as DRAFT before review, stamp CONFIDENTIAL to limit redistribution, or add your company name for branding, this tool lets you customise every aspect of the watermark and apply it to every page in seconds.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Upload your PDF. Click the upload area or drag your file onto it.
  2. Enter your watermark text. Type the word or phrase you want stamped on every page. Common choices include DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, COPY, DO NOT DISTRIBUTE, and SAMPLE.
  3. Customise the appearance. Set the colour using the colour picker or a preset. Adjust the opacity, size, angle, and position using the controls. The live preview updates as you change settings.
  4. Click Add Watermark and Download. Every page in the PDF gets the watermark applied. Verify the result before sharing.

Watermark customisation options

  • Text: Any word or short phrase up to 60 characters. Longer text will be smaller relative to the page.
  • Colour: Pick any colour using the colour picker, or choose from the preset swatches for common choices like red, blue, green, and grey.
  • Opacity: Controls how transparent the watermark is. Lower opacity (5–20%) creates a subtle background stamp. Higher opacity (50–80%) makes the watermark more prominent and harder to overlook.
  • Size: The font size in points. Larger values fill more of the page. For short words like DRAFT, 48–72pt works well. For longer phrases, try 24–36pt.
  • Angle: Rotate the watermark. The default −45° diagonal is the most common choice as it is harder to crop out than a horizontal stamp.
  • Position: Place the watermark at any of nine positions on the page — corners, edges, or centre.

Common watermark use cases

  • DRAFT — Mark a document that has not been finalised. Prevents recipients from treating it as the official version.
  • CONFIDENTIAL — Signal that the contents should not be shared with third parties.
  • SAMPLE — Used for example documents, portfolios, or proposals sent before payment.
  • DO NOT COPY — Discourage unauthorised reproduction of the document.
  • Company name or logo text — Brand your documents so recipients know the source.

Does watermarking change the PDF content?

This tool adds the watermark as a new text layer on top of the existing page content. The original text, images, and formatting underneath are not modified. The watermark is visible when viewing and printing the file but the underlying content remains intact.

Note that a text watermark added this way can be removed by someone with the right software. If you need tamper-proof protection, consider a PDF with editing restrictions — which is a separate feature beyond a visual watermark.

Privacy

Your file is processed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded to a server. This makes the tool safe for confidential documents even when the watermark text itself is sensitive.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about adding watermarks to PDF files.

Can I add a watermark to a specific page only?

This tool applies the watermark to every page in the document. If you need to watermark only certain pages, use the Split PDF tool to extract those pages, watermark them, then merge them back with the Merge PDF tool.

Can I add an image watermark instead of text?

This tool currently supports text watermarks only. Image watermarks (such as a logo) require additional processing that is not yet available in this browser-based version.

Can the watermark be removed?

A text watermark added by this tool is a visual layer and can potentially be removed using advanced PDF editing software. It is not a security measure — it is a visual label. If you need document security, consider adding password restrictions separately.

Will the watermark cover important content?

If the watermark is centred and large, it may overlap text on the page. Reduce the size or move the watermark to a corner to minimise overlap. The live preview gives you an idea of placement before you apply it.

Does this work on password-protected PDFs?

No. Password-protected PDFs cannot be processed. Remove the password protection first, then add the watermark.

Is my file uploaded to a server?

No. All processing happens in your browser using JavaScript. Your file never leaves your device.