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Watermark PDF

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Add a text watermark such as DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL to a PDF, with your choice of position, size and opacity.

How to add a watermark to a PDF

  1. Choose the PDF you want to watermark.
  2. Type the watermark text. The default is DRAFT.
  3. Choose All pages or a page range, then set the position, font size and opacity.
  4. Check the preview on a few pages.
  5. Press Add text watermark and download the watermarked copy.

Options

Stamp type
Text watermark is selected on this page. Switch to Image watermark to use a logo instead.
Watermark text
One line of up to 80 characters, such as CONFIDENTIAL or COPY.
Pages
All pages, or a list of pages and ranges such as 1, 3-5. A custom selection can hold up to 10,000 pages.
Placement
Top left, top, top right, centre, bottom left, bottom or bottom right. The default is centre.
Font size
6 to 48 points. The default is 36 pt.
Opacity
10% to 100% in steps of 10. The default is 25%, so the page underneath stays readable.

What you get

  • One PDF named after the original with "(watermarked)" added to the file name.
  • The watermark is selectable text in standard Helvetica, drawn in a dark colour on top of the page.
  • Page count, order, size and rotation stay the same. Pages you did not choose are unchanged.

Limits

  • One PDF at a time. A password-protected PDF must be unlocked first.
  • The text runs horizontally. There is no diagonal angle, colour or font choice.
  • One line only. Characters outside Western Latin, and line breaks, block the button until you remove them.
  • The largest size is 48 pt, and the text must fit inside each chosen page.
  • The watermark is ordinary page text, not a security control. It does not stop copying or editing.
  • Adding text rewrites the PDF, so existing digital signatures may stop validating.

Check the result

Open the saved copy at normal zoom and check the watermark on the first page, the last page and any rotated or unusually sized page. Make sure body text under the watermark is still readable.

Questions

Can I watermark only some pages?

Yes. Choose Choose pages and enter the pages, such as 1-3, 10. Only those pages get the watermark.

Can I make the watermark diagonal?

No. The text is placed horizontally at one of seven positions. On a page with a rotation set, the text follows the page so it reads upright.

Can I use a logo instead of text?

Yes. Use the Image watermark PDF tool, or switch Stamp type to Image watermark and choose a PNG or JPEG.

What opacity should I use?

25% to 40% is usually enough to mark a page without hiding the text under it. The preview shows the result before you save.

Can someone remove the watermark?

A PDF editor can remove added text. Treat the watermark as a visible label, not protection. Use Password protect PDF if you need a password.

Can I change the colour or font of the watermark?

No. The watermark uses standard Helvetica in a dark colour. Use opacity to make it lighter, or use an image watermark if you need a coloured mark.

Why is the button disabled?

The reason is shown next to it. Common causes are empty watermark text, a character the standard font cannot draw, or text too large to fit the page at the chosen position.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No. The watermark is added in your browser and the file is not uploaded.

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