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Watermark PDF

Add a text watermark to every page of your PDF. Adjust opacity, position and rotation. No file is sent to a server.

How Watermark PDF works

PDF Watermark stamps a text or image watermark onto every page of your document. You control the opacity, position and rotation so the stamp fits the visual style you need, from a faint diagonal "DRAFT" across each page to a centred logo at full opacity. pdf-lib draws the watermark layer directly onto the page content inside your browser, and the PDF never leaves your computer.

Text watermarks are rendered using the font and size you specify, then placed at the coordinates and rotation you choose. Image watermarks accept a PNG or JPG, which is embedded into each page at the opacity and position you set. Because the stamp is written into the page content stream rather than stored as a separate annotation layer, it cannot be toggled off by a PDF viewer and will remain visible in any compliant reader. This is the intended behaviour for marking confidential or draft documents.

Written by Bastien Sulyan

How to use Watermark PDF, step by step

  1. Open the watermark tool and load your PDF.
  2. Choose between a text watermark and an image watermark.
  3. For text: type the watermark text, set the font size, opacity and rotation angle.
  4. For image: upload a PNG or JPG, then set the size, opacity and position.
  5. Select the position on the page (centre, corner or custom coordinates).
  6. Click apply and download the watermarked PDF.

Common use cases

  • Mark every page of a contract draft with a diagonal "DRAFT" stamp at 30% opacity before circulating for review.
  • Add a company logo watermark at low opacity to branded report PDFs before sending to clients.
  • Stamp "CONFIDENTIAL" across pages of a financial disclosure before sharing it with a limited audience.
  • Apply a "SAMPLE" watermark to proof copies of a designed document before the client approves the final version.

Frequently asked questions

Can the watermark be removed by the recipient?

A watermark applied by this tool is written directly into the page content stream. It is not a removable annotation or an optional layer. A determined user with a PDF editor could attempt to remove or obscure it, but it cannot be toggled off in a standard PDF viewer. For maximum security, combining watermarking with PDF encryption is advisable.

What opacity level works best for a draft watermark?

A rotation of 45 degrees and opacity between 20% and 40% is common for diagonal text stamps. At this level the watermark is clearly visible without making the underlying text hard to read. For image watermarks such as logos, lower opacities around 10-20% are typical.

Can I watermark only selected pages rather than every page?

The tool applies the watermark to all pages. To stamp only a subset, split the PDF into sections first using the PDF Split tool, apply the watermark to the relevant section, then merge the parts back together with the PDF Merge tool.

Is my PDF sent over the internet when I add a watermark?

No. The watermark is drawn by pdf-lib running inside your browser tab. Your document is held in browser memory throughout, and the stamped output is assembled there and offered as a direct download. No data crosses the network.

Does adding a watermark affect the text layer or bookmarks?

Text and bookmarks are preserved. The watermark is drawn on top of the existing content; the underlying text stream is not altered, so the PDF remains searchable and bookmarks continue to function.

Do I need an account to add a watermark to a PDF?

No. There is no sign-up and no per-document fee. Unlike some services that gate watermarking behind a paid plan or require a login, you open the tool and apply the stamp directly.

Can I add a watermark to a PDF from my phone?

Yes. pdf-lib runs as plain JavaScript in the browser tab, including mobile Chrome and Safari. Dragging the watermark position with a finger works, though fine positioning is easier with a mouse on a larger screen.

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