This tool stamps a watermark, either your own text (like "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT") or an image (like a logo), across a PDF's pages. You control opacity, rotation angle, size, and position: any of nine fixed spots on the page, or a full tiled pattern repeating across the whole page for stronger deterrence against unauthorized copies.
A genuinely useful option here is choosing whether the watermark sits in front of your content or behind it. "Behind" mode places the watermark under the existing text and images so the original content stays fully legible with the watermark as a subtle background layer, implemented by reordering the PDF's content streams rather than rebuilding the page, which also means original annotations and links are left completely untouched.
You can apply the watermark to every page or only a specific range using the page picker, and a live preview shows exactly how it will look, including a full tiled-grid preview when that mode is selected, before you commit. As with the rest of the editing tools, everything runs in your browser via pdf-lib, so your document is never uploaded.
Marking a draft as "DRAFT" or a confidential report as "CONFIDENTIAL" is the most common use, but a tiled logo watermark across every page also discourages a shared PDF from being redistributed without attribution, useful for anything from a portfolio sample to a paid course PDF. Since the source content stays completely intact underneath a watermark placed in "behind" mode, this works even on documents where the recipient still needs to read every word normally.
Choosing opacity carefully matters here: a light, subtle watermark signals ownership without distracting from the content, while a bold, high-opacity one is more appropriate when the goal is actively discouraging misuse of a sensitive draft.
How to Add Watermark
- Upload your PDF.
- Choose text or image, then set opacity, rotation, and size.
- Pick a position, one of nine spots, or tile it across the whole page.
- Choose front or behind content, apply to all pages or a range, then download.
Frequently asked questions
Can the watermark go behind my existing text instead of covering it?
Yes. "behind" mode places the watermark under your content so the original text and images stay fully legible.
Can I use my own logo as a watermark instead of text?
Yes, upload a PNG or JPG image to use as the watermark instead of typed text.
Can I apply it to only some pages?
Yes, use the page picker to apply the watermark to a specific range instead of the whole document.
Does adding a watermark affect existing links or annotations?
No. The watermark is layered in without touching the page's existing annotations or links.
Is this free for tiled, full-page watermarks too?
Yes, tiled/repeating watermarks are included free, same as every other option in the tool.
Related tools
- Add Page Numbers: Insert page numbers with custom position and style.
- Add Header & Footer: Add repeating header or footer text to every page.
- Password Protect: Encrypt a PDF with a password so only you can open it.
- Add Text & Images: Place text boxes and images anywhere on a PDF page.