How to Watermark a PDF
Published 2026-08-23 · FreePDFToolbox
Watermarks say 'this document is protected' without stopping anyone from reading it. Here's how to stamp every page in one pass.
A watermark marks a document as confidential, branded, or a draft — visibly but unobtrusively. Adding one takes seconds.
Add a watermark in three steps
- Open Watermark PDF.
- Choose the PDF.
- Enter the text (e.g., CONFIDENTIAL), set opacity and position, then click WATERMARK.
The stamp is applied to every page automatically.
Choosing opacity
| Opacity | Effect |
|---|---|
| 10–20% | Subtle background mark |
| 25–40% | Clearly visible, text readable |
| 50%+ | Strong, dominant stamp |
For drafts and reviews, 20–30% is the sweet spot: noticeable but doesn't interfere with reading.
Position options
- Center (diagonal) — the classic watermark look; rotates 45°.
- Corners — useful for 'DRAFT' or date stamps.
How strong is the protection?
A text watermark can technically be edited out of a PDF. For harder protection:
- Watermark the file.
- Flatten PDF to merge everything into images — the watermark becomes part of the pixels.
For access control rather than branding, combine with Password Protect PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watermark with my logo?
This tool stamps text. For a logo, use Add Image to PDF at low opacity settings.
Will the watermark print?
Yes — it's part of the page content.
Is watermarking private?
Yes — everything happens locally in your browser.
Watermark your document now with Watermark PDF.
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