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Add a watermark to a PDF

Add a text watermark to a PDF, such as DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL: diagonal or level, light or bold, on every page. Free, no sign-up. We never upload your file.

Drop a PDF here

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What this tool does

Add watermark stamps a word or short phrase, such as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or COPY, across every page of a PDF. It is see-through, so the page underneath stays readable, and it tells anyone who opens or prints the file what state it is in or who it is meant for. Choose whether it runs diagonally or level, how large and how strong it is, and its colour. The rest of each page is left exactly as it was.

How to add a watermark to a PDF

  1. Choose a PDF, or drop it onto the box above.
  2. Type the text for the watermark.
  3. Pick the direction, size, strength and colour.
  4. Select Add watermark, then download the file.

What happens to your file

We never upload your file. The watermark is added inside this browser tab, on your own device. Nothing is sent to our servers or stored by us, and your original file is not changed.

What it cannot do

  • It is not tamper-proof. Someone with a PDF editor can remove it. Protect PDF can lock the file afterwards.
  • Text only, in a bold sans-serif font, up to 60 characters. Images and logos are not offered.
  • The font covers English and other Western European languages. Letters from other scripts, such as Cyrillic, Arabic or Chinese, cannot be used.
  • It goes on every page, in the middle. Choosing pages or a corner is not offered.
  • It cannot open a password-protected PDF. Remove the password first with Unlock PDF, using the password you already have.
  • The file can be up to 200 MB.

Frequently asked questions

Someone with a PDF editor and some patience can. The watermark is written onto each page as see-through text, like a stamp, so it is plain to anyone reading or printing the file, but it is not locked in. To stop changes as well, use Protect PDF afterwards.

No. It is see-through, so the page underneath stays readable. Choose Light for a faint mark, or Strong if it must stand out on a printed copy.

Your own words, yes: up to 60 characters, in English or other Western European languages. Image watermarks such as a logo are not offered yet.

Yes, every page, in the same place on each. Pages that are turned sideways get it the same way round as upright ones.

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