Watermarks say something about a document at a glance: this is a draft, this is confidential, this belongs to a particular person. They are quick to add and worth knowing the limits of.

What the tool adds

Add Watermark places a text watermark in the centre of every page. You control:

• The text itself, such as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or a name
• Opacity, from faint to strong (the default is light, at 30%)
• Font size, with a default of 48
• Rotation, with a default of a 45 degree diagonal

The text is grey and uses a standard font, so plain Latin letters and numbers work best. Non-Latin scripts may not display.

Steps

1. Open Add Watermark and upload the PDF (up to 50 MB).
2. Type your watermark text.
3. Adjust opacity, size and rotation.
4. Download the result and check a page with dense text and a page with an image.

Getting the look right

• Keep it readable. If your page text is hard to read through the mark, lower the opacity.
• Keep it short. Long phrases run off the page at large sizes. One or two words at 48 is a good starting point.
• Match size to the page. Landscape and A3 pages can take a bigger mark; small pages need a smaller one.
• Use a diagonal for drafts and a horizontal (0 degrees) mark for a calmer, more formal look.

What a watermark does not do

A watermark discourages casual reuse and labels a document's status. It doesn't stop someone copying the text or cropping the page. If you need to control who can open the file, add a password with Protect PDF; our password guide explains it. To hide information rather than label it, see safe redaction.

Common uses

• Marking contracts and proposals as DRAFT until signed
• Adding CONFIDENTIAL to internal reports
• Putting a name or reference on documents you distribute
• Labelling exam papers or sample pages

If you also need numbered pages, add them with Add Page Numbers as a second step.

Text that works well

Short, clear words read best at a diagonal: DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE, COPY, INTERNAL USE or a recipient's name for a tracked copy. Avoid long sentences, because the text is one centred line and can run off narrow pages. If you need a different label per recipient, make one copy for each and name the files clearly.

The right order of steps

Do your edits first, watermark next, and protect last. Watermarking after a password is added isn't possible, and compressing at the end keeps the file small. In short: Edit PDF, then Add Watermark, then Protect PDF, then Compress PDF if the size matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an image or logo?

The tool adds text. For a logo, place it in your source document before making the PDF.

Can I watermark only some pages?

Not directly. Split the file, watermark the section, and merge it back.

Can a watermark be removed?

A determined person may be able to remove it, so don't rely on it for security.

Does it work on scanned PDFs?

Yes. The mark is placed over the page image.