Add a text watermark to any PDF
The Watermark PDF tool stamps a line of text across the pages of a PDF — “CONFIDENTIAL”, “DRAFT”, “COPY”, “SAMPLE”, a company name or “Submitted by Priya Sharma”. You control the font, size, colour, transparency, angle and position, and a live preview shows exactly how the first page will look before you download.
A watermark tells every reader how a document should be treated and makes it obvious where a leaked copy came from. It is commonly used on contracts under negotiation, internal reports, exam papers, design proofs, quotations and copies of ID documents shared with landlords or employers.
Unlike most online watermark services, your file is processed inside your own browser. The PDF is not uploaded, so confidential documents stay confidential.
How to use the Watermark PDF
- Drop your PDF onto the upload area or click it to choose a file. The first page appears in the preview.
- Type the watermark text and choose a position: Centre, Tiled pattern, Top or Bottom.
- Adjust the font, size, colour, opacity and rotation until the preview looks right. 45° gives the classic diagonal stamp.
- Optionally limit the watermark to certain pages, for example
1or2-10. - Press “Add watermark & download” to save a new copy ending in -watermarked.pdf. Your original file is not changed.
Watermark PDF features
Live preview
See the watermark on your real first page (or the first page in your range) as you change any setting.
Four layouts
One large centred stamp, a repeating tiled pattern that covers the whole page, or a neat line at the top or bottom.
Full styling control
Four standard PDF fonts, any colour, 5–100% opacity and any angle from −90° to 90°.
Fits every page
Long text is shrunk automatically so it stays on the page, and pages that are rotated or landscape are handled correctly.
Any language
Text in Hindi, Chinese, Arabic or with emoji is drawn as a transparent image, because standard PDF fonts only cover Western European characters.
Real PDF text
Latin-alphabet watermarks are added as genuine vector text, so they stay sharp at any zoom and add only a few kilobytes.
Choosing good watermark settings
Transparency matters more than colour. Around 15–30% opacity lets the reader see the content underneath while the stamp is still unmistakable on screen and on paper; fully opaque marks are best kept small, at the top or bottom of the page, so they never hide text.
| Purpose | Suggested settings |
|---|---|
| Draft or confidential document | Centre, Helvetica Bold, 60–90 pt, red or grey, 15–25% opacity, 45° |
| Protecting a copy of an ID card or certificate | Tiled pattern, 18–28 pt, grey, 20–30% opacity, 30–45°, with text such as “Copy for rental application only” |
| Company or author line | Bottom, 10–14 pt, dark grey, 60–80% opacity, 0° |
| Exam paper or handout | Top, 12–16 pt, 50% opacity, 0°, with the school or course name |
What a watermark can and cannot do
A watermark is a visible label. It discourages copying and makes the source of a shared copy obvious, but it is not encryption: someone with PDF-editing software and enough determination can remove or cover it. A tiled watermark across the whole page is the hardest to remove cleanly.
For stronger protection, combine a watermark with sensible sharing habits: send only the pages that are needed (cut the rest with Split PDF), clear hidden author and software details with the PDF Metadata Editor, and sign approved versions with Sign PDF. To number the pages as well, use Add Page Numbers.
Watermark PDF FAQ
How do I add a watermark to a PDF for free?
Upload the PDF, type your text, adjust the look in the preview and press “Add watermark & download”. It is free, has no page limit and adds no branding of its own.
Can I watermark only some pages?
Yes. Enter page numbers or ranges in the “Pages” box, such as 1, 3-5 or 10- for page 10 to the end. Leave it empty to watermark every page.
Will the watermark cover my text?
At the default 25% opacity the text underneath stays readable. Lower the opacity to 10–15% for a subtle mark, or raise it for a bold stamp.
Can I add an image or logo as a watermark?
This tool adds text watermarks. To watermark a photo or logo image itself, use Watermark Image, then convert it with JPG to PDF.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The watermark is added by JavaScript running in your browser, so the document never leaves your device.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Yes. The watermark is drawn on top of each page, so it appears the same whether the page holds real text or a scanned image. Very dark scans may need a higher opacity or a lighter colour such as grey for the mark to stand out.
Can a watermark be removed?
A determined person with PDF-editing software can remove a simple watermark, but a tiled pattern is much harder to strip out without leaving marks. Treat a watermark as a deterrent and a label, not as security.