About this tool
Watermark PDF stamps a text label across one page or many. Type the label — DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, a copyright line, an internal codename — then pick a position (center or any corner), a color, an opacity from invisible to solid, a rotation from −90° to +90°, and a font size from 12 to 120 pt. Apply it to every page or only the ones you name.
The watermark is rendered above the existing page content as an overlay, so at full opacity it will sit on top of tables, paragraphs, and images. That's the right behaviour for a clear status stamp, and a low-opacity setting is the right behaviour for a subtle background label. A watermark is a visible mark, not a security control — if you need to lock the document down, run the watermarked file through the Protect tool to add a password.
How it works
Drop your PDF
Drag a PDF onto the upload area or click to browse. It is uploaded over HTTPS for processing and is not intentionally retained after the request.
Type the watermark text
Up to 60 characters. Common labels include DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, PROOF, INTERNAL, or a copyright line.
Pick a position
Center is the conventional choice for DRAFT-style stamps. The four corner options work well for subtle labels and copyright lines.
Adjust color, opacity, rotation, and size
Pick a swatch or paste a hex color. Opacity goes from 0 to 1; 0.3 is a good starting point. Rotation defaults to 45°. Font size scales the entire stamp.
Optionally restrict to specific pages
Switch "Apply to" to "Specific pages" and enter a comma-separated list like "1, 3, 5-9" to stamp only those pages. Leave it on "All pages" otherwise.
Apply and download
Click Apply watermark. We render the stamp onto every targeted page and stream the watermarked PDF back to your browser.
When to use it
- Marking review copies of contracts, reports, or proposals as DRAFT before they're final.
- Stamping CONFIDENTIAL or INTERNAL on documents shared inside a small team.
- Adding a copyright line — © 2026 Your Company — to every page of a portfolio or whitepaper.
- Labelling a document PROOF or APPROVAL COPY while it sits with a reviewer.
- Adding a low-opacity brand or codename behind body text on internal-distribution PDFs.
- Marking superseded, expired, or VOID copies so the older revision is unmistakable at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I watermark with an image or just text?
- Text only for now — type a label, pick a position, and stamp. Image watermarks such as logos and signatures aren't supported yet.
- How do I make the watermark transparent?
- Use the Opacity slider. It runs from 0% (invisible) to 100% (fully solid). 30% is a good starting point for a label that's clearly visible without obscuring the underlying content; 10–15% works well for large background labels behind body text.
- Why is my watermark diagonal? Can I make it horizontal?
- The Rotation slider controls the angle. It defaults to 45° because that's the conventional look for DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL stamps, but you can drag it anywhere from −90° to +90°. Set it to 0° for a horizontal watermark.
- Can I apply the watermark to specific pages only?
- Yes. Switch "Apply to" to "Specific pages" and enter a comma-separated list — for example "1, 3, 5-9" stamps pages 1, 3, and the range 5 through 9. Leave it on "All pages" to watermark every page in the file.
- Will the watermark cover up tables or text underneath?
- Watermarks are rendered on top of the existing content, so at full opacity they will obscure whatever sits below. That's intentional for labels like VOID or SAMPLE, but if you want the underlying document to stay readable, lower the opacity to around 20–30% so the original text shows through.
- Is a watermark a security feature?
- No. A visible text overlay deters casual reuse and identifies the document's status, but anyone with PDF tooling can re-render or strip it. If you need real protection, combine the watermark with the Protect tool to lock the file with a password and disable copying or printing.