Watermark a PDF in five steps
- Open Watermark PDF and add the file.
- Enter the text (for example CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT), choose an image, or both.
- Set the font size, colour, opacity, rotation and position.
- Add the watermark and download the new copy.
- Check several pages, especially ones dense with text.
The settings that matter
| Setting | Range | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Text size | 8 to 120 points | 34 points |
| Opacity | 5% to 100% | 28% |
| Rotation | Adjustable | −35° (a diagonal tilt) |
| Colour | Any colour | Orange |
| Position | Nine: top, centre, bottom crossed with left, centre, right | Centre |
| Image | Fitted inside a box of about 240 × 240 points, never enlarged | None |
The mark sits on top of the page content as a semi-transparent layer, so it does not hide anything completely. Keep the opacity low enough that the text underneath stays easy to read; the default is a good starting point.
Text, image or overlay?
| Text watermark | Image watermark | Overlay PDF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Words you type, such as DRAFT | A logo or stamp image | A page from another PDF |
| Best for | Status marks and confidentiality notices | Branding | Letterheads, stamps and templates |
| Where | Every page | Every page | Every page |
| Controls | Size, colour, opacity, rotation, position | Opacity and position | Page choice, opacity, scale, position |
Lay one PDF over another
Overlay PDF takes two files. The base PDF receives the overlay on every page, and from the overlay PDF you pick which page to use. You can set its opacity (45% by default), its scale between 10% and 150% of the size that fits the page, and one of nine positions. It suits a letterhead, a “PAID” stamp or a form template that you want on top of an existing document.
Put a letterhead or stamp on every page
- Prepare the letterhead, logo band or stamp as a single-page PDF, sized like the pages it will go on.
- Open Overlay PDF, add your document as the base and the letterhead as the overlay, and choose the overlay page.
- Raise the opacity to 100% so the letterhead is solid, not the default semi-transparent 45%, and keep the scale at 100% so it fits the page.
- Create the overlay PDF and check a page with a lot of content, since the overlay is drawn on top of what is already there.
Use a lower opacity and a smaller scale for a stamp such as “PAID” or “RECEIVED”, and put it in a corner where it will not cover figures.
Wording that works
Short, upper-case words read clearly at an angle: DRAFT while a document is under review, CONFIDENTIAL for restricted circulation, COPY on duplicates, and SAMPLE on preview versions. Add a name or date only if it will remain true for as long as the file circulates, because the mark cannot be edited later without redoing the file from the original.
A watermark is not protection
A watermark tells readers what a document is, who it belongs to or that it is a draft. It does not stop anyone copying the file, and it can sometimes be edited out with a PDF editor. If the aim is to control who can open it, add a password and share it separately, as described in the protection guide. Watermarking and protecting work well together: watermark first, protect last.
Tips for a readable result
- Use 20 to 35% opacity for text; go lower on pages that are dense with small print.
- Keep the diagonal default for full-page marks; use a corner position for small logos.
- Pick a colour that contrasts with your usual page colours, not just the default.
- Finish merging, deleting and reordering before you watermark, since the mark is stamped on whatever pages exist at that moment.
Privacy and limits
Watermarking runs in your browser, so the PDF and any image you add stay on your device. Files up to 256 MB are accepted, or 128 MB on browsers that report 4 GB or less. For signing a document rather than marking it, see how to sign a PDF.
People also ask
Common questions
Does the watermark go on every page?
Yes. The mark is added to every page of the PDF. There is no option to watermark selected pages only.
Can I use both text and an image?
You can provide both, but they share one position setting, so they are stamped on top of each other. For a cleaner result, add the text first, download it, then run the tool again with the image at a different position.
Can someone remove the watermark?
Possibly. It is stamped into the page, so it deters casual reuse, but a person with a PDF editor may be able to alter the file. For access control, add a password with Protect PDF.
How big can a watermark image be?
The image is fitted inside a box of about 240 by 240 points and is never enlarged, so use a sharp, reasonably sized image. A transparent PNG works best for a logo.
What is the difference between a watermark and an overlay?
A watermark is text or a picture you create in the tool. An overlay places a page from another PDF, such as a letterhead, stamp or template, on every page of the base PDF.
Does it change the original file?
No. The original is untouched and a new watermarked copy is created.