PDF-015
Watermark PDF
Mark a document as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or COPY so its status is obvious at a glance. The text is drawn across every page at an opacity you choose, over the content rather than behind it.
- Free
- No signup
- Private · runs locally
How to watermark pdf
- Upload the PDF you want to mark.
- Type the watermark text and set the opacity.
- Download the watermarked document.
Why watermarking drafts saves trouble
The expensive mistake is not sending a draft - it is a draft being mistaken for the final version weeks later, after it has been forwarded, printed and filed. A visible DRAFT stamp survives all of that.
The same applies to CONFIDENTIAL. It will not stop anyone forwarding the file, but it removes any argument about whether they knew they should not.
Choosing an opacity that works
Somewhere around 20-35% is usually right: unmistakable at a glance, still light enough to read the text underneath.
Push it too dark and the document becomes hard to read; too light and it disappears entirely when printed in greyscale, which is exactly when you most wanted it there.
A watermark is a visual marking, not access control. Anyone with a PDF editor can take it off.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The file is opened and rewritten by your browser, so it never leaves your device. That matters for contracts, invoices and anything with personal data in it.
Can the watermark be removed?
Yes, by anyone with a capable PDF editor. It communicates status rather than enforcing it.
Can I use an image as the watermark?
This tool stamps text. For a logo across the pages, place it with the signature tool, which accepts a transparent PNG.