Add a Watermark to a PDF
Upload a PDF, choose a text watermark (for example DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL) or an image watermark (PNG or JPG logo), adjust size, colour, opacity and angle, then click Add Watermark. The watermark is placed in the centre of every page.
Before you start
- Where your file is processed
- In your browser. The file is read and processed on your device and is not uploaded to PDFYork.
- Account
- Not required. Without an account you can run 3 tasks per day across all tools. A free account raises the limit.
- Cost
- Standard tool. Free accounts can run 14 standard tasks per day.
How to Use
Upload the PDF
Drop the document onto the upload area.
Choose text or image
Type the watermark text, or upload a PNG or JPG image such as your logo.
Adjust the look
Set font size (for text), colour, opacity and rotation angle. A 45° angle with 20 to 30% opacity works well for DRAFT stamps.
Apply and download
Click Add Watermark and download the watermarked PDF.
Picking the right watermark
- Status marks such as DRAFT, COPY or CONFIDENTIAL tell readers how to treat the document.
- Ownership marks such as a logo or "Prepared for Client Name" discourage people from passing a document off as their own.
- Low opacity keeps the text underneath readable; 15 to 30% is a good range.
What a watermark does and does not protect
The watermark is drawn onto each page as text or an image. It is visible, printable and survives most viewers, but someone with a PDF editor could still remove or cover it. For stronger protection, combine it with Encrypt PDF and restrict modifying, or flatten the document with Flatten PDF.
The watermark is applied to all pages, centred. To stamp text at a page corner or edge instead, Header & Footer or Add Stamps may suit better.
Everything runs in your browser; the PDF is not uploaded.
Use Cases
Sharing drafts
Mark contract or report drafts as DRAFT so nobody mistakes them for the final version.
Portfolio samples
Add your logo to design or writing samples sent to prospective clients.
Confidential documents
Stamp CONFIDENTIAL across board papers or HR documents before circulation.