Add a Watermark to a PDF: Insert Custom Text or Images Online
Sending sensitive documents or original designs online is risky. Without proper branding or security marks, anyone can copy, claim, or redistribute your work. You need to stamp documents as "CONFIDENTIAL" or add your company logo to prevent theft. But Adobe Acrobat requires a paid subscription. And those "free" watermark tools? They trick you by stamping their own logo on your file right alongside yours—hijacking your document with their branding.
Secure. Transparent. Truly free.
Protect your intellectual property without compromise. Add watermarks to PDFs with complete control over text, images, opacity, position, and rotation. We guarantee zero hidden tool branding on your final export—no surprise logos, no forced advertising, no document hijacking. Your watermark. Your branding. Your control. Whether you need bold "CONFIDENTIAL" stamps across pages or subtle company logos blended into backgrounds, do it professionally—without Adobe, without tricks, without cost.
This is how add a watermark to a PDF should work.
How to Put a Watermark on a PDF for Free
Step 1: Upload Your Document
Drag and drop the PDF you want to protect. Design portfolios, confidential contracts, proprietary research, client proposals, branded invoices—any document that needs security marking or brand identification. No file size restrictions. Process single documents or prepare multiple files.
Step 2: Add Text or Image Watermark
Choose between text and image watermarks. For text: Type custom messages like "CONFIDENTIAL," "DRAFT," "DO NOT COPY," "INTERNAL USE ONLY," or your copyright notice. Select font, size, color, and style. For images: Upload your PNG or JPG logo, brand mark, or signature. High-resolution images supported for professional quality output.
Step 3: Customize Appearance & Apply
Adjust transparency (opacity) so the watermark is visible but doesn't obscure important content. Choose position: center for maximum visibility, corner for subtle branding, diagonal for security stamps. Set rotation angle—diagonal stamps are classic for "CONFIDENTIAL" marking. Preview your watermark before applying. Apply to all pages or select specific pages. Download your professionally watermarked PDF.
The entire process takes 20-40 seconds. Upload, customize, download. Your document is now protected and branded—without any surprise tool logos or hidden branding.
Why Use Our Watermark Tool?
✅ 100% Free PDF Editor Without Hidden Watermarks
This is our guarantee: We add YOUR watermark, not ours. Unlike competitors who stamp "Created with [Tool Name]" or their logo on your document, we leave your PDF clean. No hidden branding. No forced advertising. No document hijacking. Your watermark is the only watermark. Period. Many "free" tools hold your document hostage by adding their branding—we don't play that game. Completely transparent, genuinely free.
💰 No Adobe Acrobat Required
Adobe Acrobat Pro costs $19.99/month or $239.88/year just to add watermarks. That's nearly $240 annually for a feature you might use occasionally. Skip the expensive subscription entirely. Get professional-grade watermarking with typography control, opacity settings, and positioning options—all free, all browser-based. No software installation. No monthly payments. Just professional watermarking when you need it.
🎨 Complete Visual Control
Adjust every aspect of your watermark appearance. Opacity from 0% (invisible) to 100% (solid)—find the perfect balance between visibility and readability. Position anywhere: center, corners, custom coordinates. Rotate at any angle—45° diagonal is classic for security stamps. Scale to appropriate size. Choose colors that match your brand or stand out for security. Professional customization without professional software costs.
📄 Batch Processing for Multiple Pages
Apply your watermark to every page of a 100-page report in one operation. Or select specific pages for targeted watermarking. Skip cover pages. Watermark only the body. Add different watermarks to different sections. Efficient bulk processing saves hours compared to manual page-by-page stamping. Essential for lengthy documents, reports, or document sets.
🖼️ Text and Image Support
Text watermarks: Type any custom message with full typography control. Bold "CONFIDENTIAL" in red. Subtle copyright notices in gray. Diagonal "DRAFT" across pages. Complete font, color, and style customization. Image watermarks: Upload company logos, brand marks, signatures, or custom graphics. PNG files with transparency supported. High-resolution images maintain quality. Professional branding or security marking—your choice.
🔒 Secure Processing & Privacy
Your sensitive documents are encrypted with 256-bit SSL during upload and processing. Files are automatically deleted from our servers immediately after you download the watermarked version. We don't store your documents. We don't access your content. We don't add hidden tracking. Complete privacy for confidential contracts, proprietary designs, or sensitive business materials.
⚠️ The "Free Tool" Trap Other Services Use
Many watermarking tools advertise as "free" but add their own branding to your document. You upload a confidential contract, add your "CONFIDENTIAL" stamp, download it, and discover their logo stamped in the corner: "Watermarked with [Tool Name]." Your professional document now advertises their service. Your confidential file now has someone else's branding.
We're different: Zero hidden branding. Zero tool logos. Zero forced advertising. Your document stays yours. We make money through optional premium features, not by hijacking your PDFs with our branding. Completely transparent business model. Genuinely free watermarking without tricks or traps.
Top Use Cases for Watermarking
⚖️ Legal & HR Documents
Legal departments: Mark contracts as "DRAFT" during negotiation. Stamp "ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED" on confidential communications. Add "CONFIDENTIAL" diagonally across sensitive documents to prevent unauthorized distribution. HR teams: Mark employee files with "INTERNAL USE ONLY." Stamp performance reviews with "CONFIDENTIAL - HR USE ONLY." Watermark helps enforce document handling policies and creates visual reminders of sensitivity. Essential for compliance and data protection.
📸 Photographers & Designers
Protect your creative work before sending to clients or posting online. Add semi-transparent copyright notices to photography portfolios. Watermark design mockups to prevent unauthorized use before payment. Stamp "PROOF" or "SAMPLE" on client previews. Discourage image theft with visible attribution. Subtle corner logos establish ownership without ruining composition. Essential protection for visual professionals whose work is easily copied online.
💼 Business Branding
Ensure all external documents carry your official branding. Add company logos to invoices for professional appearance. Watermark proposals and whitepapers with brand identity. Stamp presentations with subtle logo placement. Branded documents look more professional and legitimate. Recipients immediately identify document source. Consistent branding across all business documents reinforces company identity and professionalism.
📚 Educational Materials
Teachers and course creators: Watermark course materials, worksheets, and handouts to discourage unauthorized redistribution. Add "Licensed to [Student Name]" to prevent sharing. Stamp educational PDFs with copyright notices. Protect your teaching materials while distributing to students. Balance accessibility with intellectual property protection.
🏢 Internal Document Control
Track document versions and control distribution. Stamp drafts with "DRAFT - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE." Mark internal memos with "INTERNAL ONLY - NOT FOR EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION." Add version numbers and dates as watermarks. Watermarking helps prevent confusion between draft and final versions. Creates clear visual distinction for document status and intended audience.
📝 Manuscript Protection
Authors and writers: Watermark manuscript PDFs before sending to beta readers or editors. Add "Advance Reader Copy - Not for Distribution" to ARCs. Protect unpublished work from unauthorized sharing. Track which copy leaked if work appears online. Balance protection with readable review copies.
Watermark Customization Options
📝 Text Watermark Options
Common text watermarks:
• CONFIDENTIAL
• DRAFT
• DO NOT COPY
• INTERNAL USE ONLY
• SAMPLE
• © 2024 [Your Company]
• PROOF - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
• ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED
• FOR REVIEW ONLY
Custom typography, colors, and styles available for any text you need.
🖼️ Image Watermark Options
Image watermark uses:
• Company logos (PNG with transparency)
• Brand marks and emblems
• Digital signatures
• Official seals
• Copyright symbols with company info
• QR codes linking to verification
High-resolution support ensures professional quality. Transparency preserved for subtle blending.
🎚️ Opacity Control
Transparency levels:
• 10-30%: Subtle, barely visible (background branding)
• 40-60%: Balanced visibility and readability (standard watermarks)
• 70-90%: Prominent but content still readable (security stamps)
• 100%: Solid, maximum visibility (strong protection)
Find the perfect balance for your use case—visible enough for protection, transparent enough for readability.
📍 Position & Rotation
Positioning options:
• Center: Maximum visibility, classic watermark position
• Corners: Subtle branding, doesn't interfere with content
• Diagonal: 45° angle across page—classic security stamp
• Custom coordinates: Precise placement control
• Tiled: Repeat pattern across entire page (maximum protection)
Position strategically to balance protection with usability.
Complete Your Document Security
Need additional protection beyond watermarking?
- Watermark isn't enough protection? Add password encryption with our Protect PDF tool for comprehensive security.
- Combine watermarking with password protection for maximum document security and access control.
- Need to prevent text copying completely? Use our PDF to JPG converter to flatten the file into images.
- Convert watermarked PDFs to image format for maximum protection against content theft or editing.
- Made a mistake or need to remove a watermark? Use our Edit PDF tool to modify or white out watermarks.
- Adjust, update, or remove watermarks when document status changes or branding updates.
- Need to merge multiple documents before watermarking? Use our Merge PDF tool first.
- Combine documents, then apply consistent watermarking across the entire compilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I put a watermark on a PDF for free?
Upload your PDF to our watermarking tool. Choose between text (type your message like "CONFIDENTIAL") or image (upload your logo). Customize the opacity, position, rotation, and appearance. Click "Apply Watermark" and download your protected document. The entire process is free with no hidden charges, no forced tool branding, and no subscription requirements. Your watermark, your control, genuinely free.
How do I watermark a PDF without Adobe?
Our browser-based tool provides full watermarking capabilities without Adobe Acrobat. Complete transparency control, positioning options, text and image support, rotation settings—all the features you need without the $240/year subscription. Upload, customize, download. Professional results without professional software costs. Works on any device with a web browser.
Is there a 100% free PDF editor without watermark?
Yes. Our platform allows you to add watermarks and edit files without forcing our own logo onto your work. We don't hijack your documents with "Created with [Tool Name]" stamps. We don't add hidden branding. Your document remains yours with only YOUR watermark—not ours. This is our core principle: genuine free service without document hijacking tricks other tools use.
How does this compare to other free watermarking tools?
Many "free" watermarking services add their own branding to your document, limit daily uses, restrict resolution, or force low-quality exports. We provide high-quality watermarking without sneaky paywalls or hidden branding. No daily limits. No resolution restrictions. No forced tool logos. Completely transparent, genuinely free service that respects your documents and your needs.
Can I watermark multiple pages at once?
Yes. Apply watermarks to all pages in one operation—whether your document has 2 pages or 200 pages. Or select specific pages for targeted watermarking. Skip cover pages. Watermark only body content. Add different watermarks to different sections. Efficient batch processing saves significant time for lengthy documents or document sets.
Will the watermark affect print quality?
No. Watermarks are added as high-quality overlays that maintain document resolution. Text watermarks render crisply. Image watermarks preserve original resolution. The watermarked PDF prints just as clearly as the original—your watermark simply appears on the printed output as intended. Professional quality for both screen viewing and printing.
Can I use transparent PNG logos?
Yes. PNG files with transparency are fully supported. Upload your logo with transparent background and it blends seamlessly into your document. The transparent areas remain see-through, allowing your logo to overlay naturally without white boxes or background artifacts. Perfect for professional brand watermarking.
How do I make a watermark diagonal?
Use the rotation control to angle your watermark. 45° is the classic diagonal security stamp angle. Adjust to any angle you prefer. Diagonal placement is traditional for "CONFIDENTIAL," "DRAFT," or security stamps because it's immediately visible while not blocking horizontal text reading. Preview the angle before applying to ensure desired appearance.
Can I remove a watermark I added?
The watermark becomes part of the PDF when applied. To remove or modify it, you'll need to use PDF editing tools to white it out or overlay it with content. Best practice: Keep your original unwatermarked file as a master copy. Create watermarked versions for distribution while preserving the clean original for future edits or different watermarking needs.
Is my confidential document safe?
Yes. Files are encrypted with 256-bit SSL during upload and processing. All documents are automatically deleted immediately after you download the watermarked version. We don't store files. We don't access content. We don't retain copies. Complete privacy for confidential contracts, proprietary documents, or sensitive materials requiring watermark protection.
Ready to Protect Your Documents?
Stop paying for Acrobat subscriptions. Stop dealing with tools that hijack your documents with their branding. Stop sending unprotected files that anyone can claim or copy.
Add professional watermarks to your PDFs for free. Your watermark. Your control. Zero hidden branding.
Start Adding Watermarks Now