How to Add a Watermark to a PDF

A watermark is a text or image overlaid on the pages of a document, typically semi-transparent, to indicate the document's status, ownership, or confidentiality. Common watermarks include "CONFIDENTIAL", "DRAFT", "SAMPLE", or a company name. Watermarks are a quick and effective way to communicate important information about a document's intended use.

Our free online tool lets you add a custom text watermark to all pages of any PDF in seconds.

Step 1 – Open the Add Watermark Tool

Go to our Add Watermark tool. You'll see a file upload area and a text input where you can type your watermark text.

Step 2 – Upload Your PDF and Enter Watermark Text

Upload your PDF and type the text you want to use as a watermark. Common choices include:

• CONFIDENTIAL
• DRAFT
• DO NOT COPY
• SAMPLE
• Your company name

The watermark will be applied in a large, semi-transparent grey text across each page, positioned centrally so it is clearly visible without obscuring the underlying content.

Step 3 – Download the Watermarked PDF

After processing, download the watermarked PDF. Every page will have the watermark text applied. The watermark is embedded into the PDF, meaning it will appear when the document is opened or printed by anyone.

Tips for Using Watermarks Effectively

• Use watermarks on drafts: Stamping "DRAFT" on a working version of a document prevents it from being mistakenly treated as a final, approved version.
• Protect sample work: Freelancers and designers who share work samples can add "SAMPLE" or their company name to prevent the samples from being used without payment.
• Confidential documents: For internal business documents shared outside the organisation, a "CONFIDENTIAL" watermark reminds recipients not to distribute the document further.
• Remove before finalising: If you watermarked a draft and need the final version without a watermark, use our Remove Watermark tool or start from the original un-watermarked file.
• Watermark before sharing: Always apply the watermark before sending the file. Once shared, you cannot remove it from the recipient's copy.

Common Uses for PDF Watermarks

Legal documents: Watermarking contracts, agreements, and legal briefs with "DRAFT" or "FOR REVIEW" signals that the document is not yet finalised and should not be acted upon.

Photography and design: Portfolios and design mockups shared with prospective clients are often watermarked to protect intellectual property while still showcasing the work.

Academic and research papers: Pre-publication versions of papers shared for peer review or feedback are commonly watermarked "DRAFT – DO NOT CITE".

Business proposals: A proposal watermarked with the company name discourages the recipient from passing it to competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a watermark I've added?

You can use our Remove Watermark tool to attempt removal, or simply use the original unwatermarked file if you kept it.

Will the watermark be visible when the document is printed?

Yes. The watermark is embedded into the PDF content and will appear on screen and in print.

Can I add an image watermark instead of text?

Currently the tool supports text watermarks. For image watermarks such as a company logo, you can use our Add Text to PDF or Sign PDF tool to position an image on the page.

Related Tools

• Add Watermark – Watermark your PDF now
• Remove Watermark – Remove a watermark from a PDF
• Protect PDF – Add password protection to your document
• Add Text to PDF – Add custom text anywhere on a page