Add a CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT watermark to a PDF
A watermark tells everyone who opens a document how to treat it: this is a draft, this is confidential, this copy was made for a particular person. It takes a few seconds to add.
When a watermark helps
Use DRAFT so an early version isn't mistaken for the final one. Use CONFIDENTIAL on proposals, pricing and HR documents. Use COPY on copies of certificates and ID so they can't easily be passed off as originals. Put a recipient's name on a document to discourage it being forwarded.
A watermark is a clear signal, but it isn't a lock. For documents that must stay private, add a password as well.
Key benefits
- Four stylesA rubber stamp, large words across the page, the words repeated all over, or a discreet line at the top.
- Your own wordsPick CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT, COPY, SAMPLE or PRIVATE, or type anything up to 60 characters.
- See it firstA preview shows the watermark on your pages as you change the style, colour and strength.
- Still readableThe watermark is see-through, so the text underneath can still be read.
How to watermark a PDF
- Open Watermark PDF and add the document, or several files to combine.
- Choose the words, then a style, colour and strength. Check the preview.
- Press Export PDF to save the watermarked copy.
Tips
- For copies of ID, use Repeat so the watermark covers the whole page and is hard to crop out.
- "Copy for [name], [date]" shows who a document was made for.
- Keep the original without the watermark, in case you need a clean copy later.
Questions
Can a watermark be removed?
It is part of each page and can't simply be switched off, but someone with PDF editing software could remove it. Combine it with a password for stronger protection.
Can I watermark only some pages?
The watermark goes on every page in the file. To watermark part of a document, split it, watermark that part, then combine the files again.
Does it work on scanned documents and photos?
Yes. Add scans or photos and the watermark is placed on each page.
Tools for this job
More guides
- Work and adminCombine receipts into one PDF for your expense claimTurn receipt photos, PDF invoices and screenshots into one tidy PDF for your expense claim. Free, private and done in your browser, with no upload.
- Work and adminMake a PDF small enough to email or uploadReduce PDF file size so it fits email attachment limits (often 10 to 25 MB) and upload portals. Compress PDFs free in your browser without uploading them.
- Work and adminTurn your CV and cover letter into one PDFConvert a Word CV to PDF and combine it with your cover letter and certificates in one file for job applications. Free, private, in your browser.