Add a watermark to a PDF

What a watermark is for

A watermark states the status of a document on the document itself, so it survives being printed, photographed, forwarded and screenshotted. DRAFT stops a working version being mistaken for the final one. CONFIDENTIAL tells anyone holding a page how it should be handled. A recipient's name across a shared file discourages onward forwarding, because the copy leads back to whoever leaked it.

Text is stamped across every page at the size, angle and opacity you choose, so it reads clearly without hiding the content underneath.

Choosing text, size and opacity

Keep the wording short

One or two words at a large size read at a glance. A long sentence has to be set small to fit, which defeats the point.

Use a diagonal for coverage

An angled watermark crosses more of the page than a horizontal one, so it survives cropping and partial screenshots.

Set opacity so both stay readable

Light enough that the text underneath is comfortable to read, dark enough that the mark is unmistakable — worth checking on your densest page.

Watch the tables

Pages of dense figures are where a heavy watermark does the most damage. If numbers get hard to read, reduce opacity rather than size.

What a watermark does and does not protect

A watermark is a deterrent and a label, not a security control. It marks a document as yours or as restricted, and it makes casual re-use awkward and traceable. It does not stop anyone reading, copying or printing the file, and someone determined enough can remove it.

For genuine restrictions you need access control — sending the document only to the people who should have it — rather than marks on the page. Watermarking is what you add on top of that, not instead of it.

Everyday uses

Drafts in review

Mark a version DRAFT so nobody signs or publishes the wrong one.

Sample and preview copies

Send a watermarked SAMPLE of paid material that shows the quality without being usable as-is.

Tracked distribution

Stamp each recipient's name so a forwarded copy identifies its source.

Status stamps

Label a file PAID, APPROVED, COPY or VOID so its state is obvious at a glance.