How to Add a Watermark to a PDF
Updated October 9, 2026
A watermark is a word printed lightly across a page, such as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or your company name. It tells readers the status of the document and discourages careless copying. Here is how to add one to any PDF.
Add a watermark in 4 steps
- Open the Watermark PDF tool and choose your file.
- Type the watermark text, for example CONFIDENTIAL.
- Choose how it should look (see the options below).
- Press Add watermark, check the preview and download the file.
Options
- Font size: larger text is easier to see. Very long texts shrink to fit the page.
- Transparency: very light, light or medium. Start with light, so the page is still easy to read.
- Colour: gray, red, blue or black. Gray is a safe choice. Red is good for DRAFT or URGENT.
- Layout: diagonal across the page, horizontal in the center, or repeated three times down the page.
- Pages: leave empty for all pages, or choose, for example, first, odd or 2-5.
Which watermark for which job?
- DRAFT or FOR REVIEW: diagonal, red, light transparency.
- CONFIDENTIAL: diagonal, gray, light transparency, on all pages.
- Your name or company: repeated layout, gray, very light. It is harder to crop out than a single mark.
Good to know
- The text must use ordinary Latin letters and numbers. Other alphabets are not supported in this tool.
- For a logo or a picture, use the Images to PDF and the Add Image to PDF tool. You can place a PNG logo on your pages.
- A watermark is a deterrent, not protection. To stop people from opening the file, use the Protect PDF tool.
- Keep a copy of your original file without the watermark.
Frequently asked questions
Will the watermark cover my text? It is drawn semi-transparent over the page, so the text below stays readable at light settings.
Can I remove a watermark later? Not easily, so always keep the original.
Are my files uploaded? No. The watermark is added in your browser.