How to Add a Watermark to a PDF
A watermark marks a document's status and discourages unauthorised reuse. Whether you're sending a draft for review or protecting a proposal, adding a diagonal text watermark takes seconds and needs no software.
When to use a watermark
Common uses include labelling drafts, marking documents CONFIDENTIAL, or branding a PDF with a company name before sharing it externally.
How to watermark a PDF
- Open the Watermark PDF tool.
- Drop in your PDF.
- Type your watermark text and set the font size and opacity.
- Click Add Watermark and download the result.
Tips
- Keep opacity low (around 20%) so the text underneath stays readable.
- Use a large font size for a bold, page-spanning stamp.
- Pair with page numbers for professional-looking documents.
💡 Tip: Watermark a copy, not your master file, so you always keep a clean original.
Related tools
Add page numbers, Merge PDF, Split PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I control how transparent the watermark is?
Yes — the opacity setting lets you make it faint or bold.
Is the PDF uploaded to add a watermark?
No. Everything runs in your browser, so the file stays private.
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