Skip to content
AZ Tools

Add a Watermark to a PDF

Marking a document before you send it out is the cheapest way to stop a draft being mistaken for a final, or a shared copy being passed on without context. This tool draws your text across each page — diagonally by default, at the size, colour and opacity you set — and writes it into the PDF itself, so it survives being emailed, printed or re-saved. Stamp the whole document or only a page range. The watermark sits on top of the existing content and does not touch the text or images underneath, so the file stays searchable and selectable. Everything runs in your browser: a contract, a payslip or an unreleased report never leaves your machine.

Drop a PDF to watermark it.

Everything happens in your browser — the file is never uploaded.

How to use

  1. Drop a PDF onto the box, or click it to pick a file.
  2. Type the watermark text — DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, a name, a date.
  3. Set the size, opacity, colour and angle. Diagonal is the usual choice for a full-page stamp.
  4. Stamp every page, or switch to a page range like `1-3, 5`, then press Apply and download.

Frequently asked questions

Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is opened, stamped and saved entirely inside your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, and closing the tab leaves no copy behind.
Can the watermark be removed?
It is drawn as page content, so it is not a protection measure — someone determined and equipped can strip it, as with any visual watermark. Treat it as a clear label, not as security.
Does the watermark cover up the text underneath?
It is drawn on top at the opacity you choose, so at the default the page stays readable. The original text and images are untouched, so the document remains searchable and selectable.
Why can't I use Korean, Japanese or Chinese text?
The fonts built into the PDF format cover Latin characters only. Drawing other scripts means embedding a font of several megabytes into every file, so the tool tells you which characters it cannot draw instead of producing a broken PDF.
Can I put the watermark somewhere other than the middle?
The stamp is centred on each page, which is what a full-page mark normally wants. For a corner label, use a small size with a horizontal angle — or add page numbers instead, which sit in the margin.

Related tools