Draft or confidential stamp before review
- Add your watermark text or logo here — set opacity to 25–35% for diagonal background stamps so content remains readable.
Watermarks are embedded with pdf-lib in your browser. Your PDF and logo images are not uploaded to EverydayTools servers.
Skip to PDF watermark toolLoading tool…
A PDF watermark tool adds text or image watermarks to every page of a PDF document — options include diagonal text overlays (CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT), semi-transparent logo images, and page header/footer text stamps. The watermark is embedded into the PDF as a persistent overlay visible when viewing and printing.
Click to upload or drag a PDF file. The watermark is applied to all pages.
Text watermark: type your text (e.g. CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, DO NOT DISTRIBUTE), choose font size, colour, and opacity. Image watermark: upload a logo PNG and set size, position, and opacity.
Position: centre diagonal (classic), bottom-right corner (logo), header, or footer. Rotation: 0° for horizontal text, 45° for the standard diagonal stamp look.
Click Apply. Download the PDF with the watermark embedded on all pages.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
Legal and compliance professionals
Watermarked PDFs communicate document status clearly. Mark working drafts to prevent accidental use of an outdated version, or mark sensitive documents as CONFIDENTIAL before sharing externally.
Photographers and designers
Add a semi-transparent logo watermark to PDF portfolios and preview documents to prevent use without permission while still showcasing the work.
Teachers and educators
Prevent exam papers from being shared before exam day by watermarking them when sending to printing services or storing in shared drives.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
Input
contract.pdf · Text: CONFIDENTIAL · Diagonal, centre · 40pt · Red, 30% opacityOutput
contract-watermarked.pdf with red diagonal CONFIDENTIAL across every pageA semi-transparent (30% opacity) diagonal watermark is legible but does not obscure the underlying content. Red text is conventional for confidentiality markings.
How this EverydayTools page compares for typical use.
| Aspect | EverydayTools | Typical alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid apps or trials |
| Privacy | Browser-local when supported | Often requires cloud upload |
| Signup | Not required | Often required |
Start around 25–40% opacity for diagonal text so content stays legible.
Treat watermarks as a deterrent and leak tracer—not DRM.
Likely cause: Centre diagonal placement covers body copy.
Fix: Move to a corner, reduce opacity, or use a smaller font/logo scale.
Likely cause: Low-resolution PNG scaled too large.
Fix: Use a higher-resolution logo or reduce the image scale percentage.
A watermark added as a PDF overlay can potentially be removed by someone with PDF editing software (Adobe Acrobat, PDFelement) or using PDF manipulation libraries. For security purposes, watermarks serve as a deterrent and identify the source of leaks — they are not DRM and cannot prevent a determined recipient from removing them.
In PDF terminology, they are often used interchangeably. Technically, a stamp is typically opaque text or an image added to the page (like a rubber stamp). A watermark is typically semi-transparent and covers the full page diagonally. This tool supports both uses.
For diagonal background watermarks: 20–35% opacity keeps the text legible underneath. For corner logos or branding marks: 40–60% opacity. For DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL stamps intended to be prominent: 50–70%. Test by printing one page — screen rendering and printer output can differ significantly for semi-transparent content.
No. The watermark is added as an additional content layer on top of the existing page content. The original text, images, and hyperlinks remain fully intact and searchable. The watermark layer is visually overlaid but does not modify the underlying PDF structure.
Yes — most watermark tools including this one support selecting which pages to watermark. Common options: all pages, first page only, last page only, odd pages, even pages, or a custom page range (e.g., pages 2–10). Leave the cover page unwatermarked for a cleaner presentation.
Add Watermark to PDF runs in your browser with pdf-lib—your PDF and logo files are not uploaded to EverydayTools servers for watermarking.
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Reviewed by EverydayTools Editorial Team on 2026-05-28.
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