Free tool · Edit & Sign
Watermark PDF
Add a text watermark to every page of a PDF.
Stamp a diagonal or horizontal text watermark across every page of your PDF. Customise the text, font size, opacity, colour, and rotation angle to get exactly the look you need. Watermarks are embedded directly into the page content using pdf-lib - they are not a separate layer and cannot be simply deleted. Great for marking drafts, confidential documents, or proofs.
- Files never leave your device
- Runs entirely in your browser
- Free, no account needed
How to use Watermark PDF
Two steps, and nothing to install.
Drop your PDF and set the mark
Type the watermark text, then adjust font size, colour, rotation angle and opacity until it reads clearly without obscuring the content.
Download the watermarked file
The mark is stamped across every page and the finished document is offered for download.
More free tools
Free, private, and no sign-up on any of them.
How this works in your browser
pdf-lib draws the watermark text directly into each page's content stream, with the rotation, colour and opacity you set applied as graphics-state instructions. That placement is what distinguishes it from an annotation: a sticky note or comment is a separate object a reader can select and delete, whereas this text becomes part of the page drawing itself, in the same way the original body text is. Nothing is rasterised in the process, so the underlying document keeps its selectable text and vector sharpness and the file barely grows. The whole operation runs in your browser with no upload.
Watermark PDF vs. upload-based online tools
| Feature | Watermark PDF (in-browser) | Upload-based online tools |
|---|---|---|
| File upload required | No - never leaves your device | Yes - file is sent to a server |
| Processing queue | None - starts instantly | Often, especially at peak times |
| Watermark on output | Never | Common on free plans |
| Usage limits | None - free, unlimited use | Often capped per day or file size |
| Works offline once loaded | Yes, for most tools | No - requires a live connection |
| Account required | No | Often, for anything beyond a trial |
Common ways to use Watermark PDF
Marking a draft
Stamp DRAFT across a document so a circulated version is never mistaken for the final one.
Protecting unpaid proofs
Watermark a design or report sent for review, so it is usable for approval but awkward to use as the finished deliverable.
Labelling confidential material
Make a document's handling status obvious on every page, which is often a compliance requirement.
Frequently asked questions
What it can and cannot do, and what happens to your files.
Can the watermark be removed after saving?
Watermarks added by this tool are written into the page content stream. They cannot be removed with a simple click - this is intentional for marking drafts or confidential documents.
Can I use an image as a watermark instead of text?
This tool supports text watermarks only. For image watermarks, use the Edit PDF tool to place an image on each page.
Can I control the opacity so the content is still readable?
Yes. The opacity slider lets you set the watermark from barely visible to fully opaque. A setting of 20–30% is typical for "DRAFT" or "CONFIDENTIAL" marks.
Is a watermark a security measure?
Not really, and it is worth being clear about that. A watermark deters casual misuse and makes a document's status obvious at a glance, but a determined person with the right software can still work around it. Use Protect PDF when the content genuinely must not be read or copied.
Will the watermark cover my text?
That is what opacity and angle are for. A diagonal mark at 20-30% opacity sits behind the reading experience rather than blocking it. Turn opacity up only when you actively want the document to be difficult to use, such as an unpaid proof.
Does it get applied to every page?
Yes. The watermark is stamped across all pages of the document, which is the point for marking a draft or confidential file consistently.
Is my document uploaded anywhere?
No. The watermark is drawn into the file inside your browser tab, so a confidential draft stays on your device.
Stamp a permanent watermark on your PDF - free, fully customisable.
Files never leave your device. No upload, no account, and free for unlimited use.
Also see: Add Watermark to Image