How to Add a Watermark to a PDF
A watermark tells anyone holding your document exactly what it is: a draft that should not be quoted, a confidential file that must not be forwarded, or a sample that is not the final deliverable. It is the cheapest form of document protection there is, and unlike a footnote nobody reads, a diagonal stamp across every page is impossible to miss. This tool applies a proper text watermark to every page of your PDF, entirely inside your browser.
Set your watermark
Type any text or pick a preset like CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT. Choose position, color, opacity and size, and watch the live preview update.
Upload your PDF
Drop the file. It is read locally in your browser and never uploaded to any server - which matters when the document is confidential.
Download the result
The watermark is applied to every page and baked into the document permanently. Download and share with confidence.
Choosing the Right Watermark Style
Diagonal is the classic choice, and for good reason. A large word running corner to corner across the page is instantly legible, cannot be mistaken for part of the content, and is difficult to crop out of a screenshot. Use it for DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL and DO NOT COPY.
Tiled repeats the text across the entire page in a grid. It is the most difficult style to remove or crop around, which makes it the right choice for documents you genuinely do not want copied or redistributed — sample reports, paid templates, previews sent to prospects.
Top and bottom placements are subtler. They sit out of the way of the content, which suits company names, document status labels, or internal reference codes where you want branding rather than protection. Keep opacity low — around 20 to 30 percent — for anything that still needs to be read comfortably.
Common Situations This Tool Solves
Sharing a draft that is not final
Nothing is more awkward than a client quoting figures from a version you never approved. A DRAFT watermark across every page removes any ambiguity about what stage the document is at.
Marking confidential documents
Contracts, financial reports and internal memos often circulate wider than intended. A CONFIDENTIAL stamp makes the expectation explicit and is visible in any screenshot or printout.
Protecting samples and previews
When sending sample chapters, template previews or portfolio pieces, a tiled watermark makes the file impractical to use as-is while still letting the recipient evaluate the work.
Branding documents with your company name
A subtle, low-opacity watermark with your company name at the top or bottom of every page adds a professional touch to proposals, reports and deliverables.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a watermark to a PDF for free?
Type your watermark text, choose a position, opacity and color, then upload your PDF and click Add Watermark. It is completely free with no page limits, no signup and no branding of ours added to your file.
Is the watermark applied to every page?
Yes. The watermark is drawn onto every page of the document in one pass, so there is no risk of a page slipping out unmarked.
Can the watermark be removed by the recipient?
A text watermark is drawn into the page content, so it cannot be toggled off in a viewer. Someone determined could still edit it out with professional software - a watermark deters casual misuse, it is not encryption.
What opacity should I use for a watermark?
Around 20 to 30 percent works for most documents - clearly visible but not so dark that the text underneath becomes hard to read. Go higher for strong warnings like DO NOT COPY.
Is it safe to watermark confidential PDFs here?
Yes, and this is exactly why the tool is browser-based. Your PDF is processed entirely on your device using pdf-lib - never uploaded to any server, never stored, never seen by anyone.
Can I use my company name as the watermark?
Yes. Type any text up to 60 characters. For branding, a low-opacity watermark at the top or bottom usually looks more professional than a large diagonal stamp.
Does adding a watermark change file size or quality?
The quality of your original content is completely untouched - nothing is re-rendered or re-compressed. The file grows only by a tiny amount for the added text.
What is the difference between diagonal and tiled watermarks?
Diagonal places one large piece of text across the page and is the classic look. Tiled repeats the text in a grid across the whole page, which is much harder to crop around or remove.
Can I watermark a password-protected PDF?
Encrypted PDFs cannot be modified without their password. Remove the protection in your PDF reader first, then watermark the unlocked file here.
How do I watermark a PDF on iPhone or Android?
Open this page in Safari or Chrome, set your watermark text and style, choose a PDF from your Files app, and download the watermarked version straight to your phone.
Can I add an image or logo as a watermark?
This tool applies text watermarks. For a logo, a common approach is to convert your logo into a PDF page and use our merge tool, or simply use a text watermark with your company name.
Is this PDF watermark tool really free?
Completely free, with no page limits, no watermarks of our own, no signup and no premium wall. Everything runs in your browser, so there are no server costs to pass on.
Last updated: July 11, 2026 · FlipMyFormat PDF Watermark Tool
Written and maintained by the FlipMyFormat team