Watermark PDF

When do you need a watermark on a PDF?

When you send a copy of your ID card or passport to an agency or employer and want it marked "Copy for job application only" so it can't easily be reused for something else. When you share a draft contract or a quote and want it plainly labelled as a draft. Or when you hand out course notes you wrote and want each page to carry your organisation's logo. A watermark doesn't stop anyone opening the file, but it shows its source and purpose on every page.

How the tool works

Under "Watermark Type" you choose between two kinds:

• Text: typed in the "Watermark Text" field, with "CONFIDENTIAL" suggested. The text is drawn in bold red and turned into an image before it's placed, which is why Arabic and other right-to-left scripts come out joined and in the right direction.
• Image (Logo): you upload a PNG or JPG. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest result.

Once the file is loaded, the first page appears with the watermark box on it. You can drag the box with a mouse or finger, or pick a preset spot from "Watermark Position". The spot you see is applied in the same proportion to every page. "Opacity" ranges from 5% to 70%; the default of 25% keeps the text underneath readable.

How to add a watermark

1. 1
   Choose a PDF or drag it onto the box, and wait for the first page to appear.
2. 2
   Select "Text" and type your wording, or select "Image (Logo)" and upload the image.
3. 3
   Choose a "Watermark Position" or drag the box, then set the "Opacity".
4. 4
   Click "Process Now", check with "Preview Result", then click "Download Result". The file keeps your file name with -watermarked added at the end.

Tips for a good result

• If you edit the text after placing the box, the box grows from one side and drifts off-centre. Re-select the position from the list once your text is final.
• On copies of personal documents, include who it's for, the purpose and the date, such as "For XYZ Agency only, 2026". That's more useful than the word "Copy" alone.
• If you want to stop the file being opened at all, a watermark isn't enough: use Protect PDF. To number the pages, use Add Page Numbers.

Limitations

• The watermark is always horizontal; there's no option to set it at an angle.
• Text colour, size and font can't be changed, and neither can the logo size.
• The same watermark goes on every page; you can't skip a page.
• Files with a password or permission restrictions aren't accepted until they're opened with Unlock PDF.
• The watermark is an image laid over the page: its text isn't searchable, and PDF editing software can delete it. It's a visible deterrent, not technical protection.
• On pages stored with a rotation inside the file, the watermark may appear at a different angle than in the preview.

Where is the processing done?

The watermark is drawn and merged into the pages in your browser with PDF.js and pdf-lib, so neither your document nor your logo is sent to our servers.

Watermark PDF: frequently asked questions